Psychological therapy: the 5 main approaches and how they can benefit you

Psychological therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is a therapeutic approach that aims to help people deal with emotional, behavioural and mental problems. It is a valuable tool in mental health care, offering support and guidance to overcome challenges and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.

In this article, we will discuss what it is and what its main benefits are, how to choose the best type of therapy for you, and what supplements can help you overcome the problem.

What is psychological therapy?

Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that can help people experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions and emotional challenges.

Psychological therapy not only helps to alleviate symptoms but can also help to identify the psychological root causes of the condition so that a person can improve their quality of life and stabilise their emotional well-being.

Benefits of psychological therapy

Psychotherapy offers several benefits for people who are facing emotional or psychological difficulties.

These are the 3 main benefits:

1. Providing a safe and confidential space to express feelings and thoughts without being judged: the therapist acts as an attentive and impartial listener, helping the patient to explore their emotions and understand themselves better.

2. Developing healthy coping skills: Therapists provide tools and techniques to manage stress, anxiety and other emotional problems, enabling patients to deal more effectively with life’s challenges.

3. Improving interpersonal relationships: Helping people to develop communication and conflict resolution skills.

Types of psychological therapy: the 5 most commonly used

There are several types of psychotherapy and some may work better in certain clinical situations. Some of the most common approaches include behavioural or cognitive-behavioural psychology therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

We will now discuss the 5 most effective therapies:

1. Behavioural psychology: we talk about cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It aims to change the way you think, the way you act and the way you feel. Is it for you? It is used in cases of anxiety, social phobias, depression, panic, post-traumatic stress disorder…
2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: focuses on accepting the facts, without judgement, as a way to find well-being. Is it for you? Useful in depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, bereavement, child therapy or addictions.
3. Gestalt Therapy: is a humanistic therapy that was developed in the 1940’s. It aims to help you learn to live in the present and become aware of your feelings and desires. Is it for you? Ideal for self-discovery and those seeking personal growth.
4. Systemic therapy: used to solve couple and family problems – is it for you? It is suitable if you are experiencing such problems but want to be treated individually, without involving family members or partners.
5. Psychoanalytic therapy: Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, based this therapy on the great importance of the subconscious in solving therapeutic problems. Is it for you? If you want to discover which behaviours in your current life are related to a conflict that you experienced unconsciously during your childhood, something that marks your present.

What is the best psychological therapy?

As we have seen, there are several therapeutic approaches, each with its techniques and methods.

To know which psychological therapy is best in each case, we recommend the following steps:

1. Become aware of the problem: reflect individually and calmly to analyse and understand what exactly is wrong with you, and where the discomfort lies.

2. Consult the available therapies: before going for a consultation, it is advisable to be informed about the different therapeutic approaches. Remember, no one knows you better than you know yourself. Information is power, so read about the characteristics of each one and think about which one would be best for you, taking into account your personality and the problem to be treated.

3. Go to a professional: Explain your situation, clearly state the problem to be treated, what your goals are and your perception of what might be the best therapy for you and why. With his or her experience, the psychologist will help you to finally decide on the best option for you.

What can be treated in psychological therapy?

Conditions that may improve with psychotherapy include:

• Coping with stressful life events.
• Trauma-induced impact.
• Difficulty in social relations.
• Illness.
• Loss of a loved one.
• Problems with unruly children.
• Specific mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
• Personality problems.
• Fears, phobias or manias that are difficult to control.
• Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia).
• Relationship problems such as emotional dependence, psychological abuse or jealousy.
• Self-esteem imbalances.
• Dependence on addictive substances.
• Sex-related disorders.
• Failure at school or work.

When is it time to go to therapy?

Various psychological associations suggest that it is a good time to see a therapist when something is causing distress and interfering in some area of life.

Counselling is recommended when thinking about or coping with the problem in question requires at least one hour every day when the problem causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others.

Psychotherapy, an effective way to overcome psychological challenges

Psychological therapy is very widespread nowadays. Some of the most common causes are the accelerated pace of life in society, the high levels of perfection that we demand of ourselves or the difficulty in overcoming or managing certain social relationships, among others. In all these cases, it is advisable to go to therapy and be aware of the problem, to take control and find an adequate and effective solution.

Although there are many psychological techniques and therapies, the aim is always to improve the patient’s quality of life and bring about positive change.

In addition to therapy, and medication when necessary, some supplements are very helpful in psychological therapy. One example is G7 Neuro Health, which contains organic silica in a unique combination with biotin, which supports psychological function by providing an extra supply of necessary nutrients. It also helps to combat the harmful effects of aluminium, the main inducer of oxidative stress in the brain increases energy and promotes concentration and memory. Other interesting food supplements include adaptogens such as ashwagandha or rhodiola, relaxing plants such as lemon balm, and minerals such as magnesium and B vitamins.

Psychological therapy is effective and is undoubtedly a better option than no treatment or solution. 80% of patients report positive psychological changes. It accelerates improvement and helps to find new strategies and tools to cope with problems.