Signs That Therapy Is Working for You

Many people use therapy to overcome challenges that affect their ability to cope with everyday stressors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, 19.2% of adults received mental health treatment, with less than ten percent attending “counseling or therapy from a mental health professional.” Alter Wellness Care utilizes group and individual therapy in our treatment programs to help clients build coping skills and learn about their condition. 

What Is the Goal of Therapy?

Individual therapy aims to help you feel better and provide you with the resources you need to overcome issues related to your mental health. A therapist offers an outside perspective and objective viewpoint on topics ranging from relationship issues to past trauma.

Some of the most common reasons people attend therapy include the following: 

• Substance misuse 
• Relationship issues 
• Mental health disorders 
• Chronic or acute stress 
• Witnessing or experiencing a trauma 
• Feeling emotionally overwhelmed

You might worry that therapy is not worth the time, effort, or cost. However, research has repeatedly proven that professional mental health treatment, including therapy, provides many health benefits. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “With appropriate treatment, people can manage their illness, overcome challenges, and lead productive lives.” You can take advantage of the therapy offered at Alter Wellness Care to heal from the effects of mental health disorders. 

How Individual Therapy Can Help You Grow 

Individual therapy sessions give you a judgment-free space to express your needs and discuss things that affect your mental health. You will develop essential skills and learn how to identify and analyze potential problems that might affect your well-being. 

The benefits of attending individual sessions include: 

• Lower stress levels 
• More balanced moods 
• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
• Improved communication skills 
• Less severe mental health symptoms 
• Decreased risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD)
• Reduced risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a therapist helps clients “become aware of ways of thinking that may be automatic but are inaccurate and harmful.” You can tell that therapy has helped if you notice positive changes in how you feel, think, and behave. 

Learn to Embrace Healthy Change 

Coping with daily stressors is easier if you avoid maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors. A therapist can teach you to embrace changes that help you feel happier by doing the following: 

• Actively listening to your needs and providing practical advice 
• Personalizing your therapy sessions to address relevant issues 
• Regularly checking your progress and adjusting recovery goals as needed

Common Forms of Therapy 

The effectiveness of therapeutic methodologies depends on a range of factors. At Alter Wellness Care, we use comprehensive assessments to determine what approach will provide you with the best possible outcome. Our mental health experts can guide you through the process of creating a personalized treatment plan. 

Some of the most common forms of therapy include: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
• Experiential therapies
• Alternative holistic options

We tailor each treatment plan to ensure we use the correct method to address our client’s unique mental health symptoms and underlying issues.

3 Signs That Therapy Is Working 

Your general outlook on life and self-image will improve as you begin to heal from the effects of trauma or emotional distress. Below are three ways you can tell if therapy is working for you.

#1 You Feel Better About Yourself and Your Life

Over the course of multiple individual or group sessions, your mood, motivations, emotional health, and outlook on life may change significantly. Feeling better about yourself, life in general, and the people around you indicates that therapy is helping you find healthier ways to think about your circumstances. 

#2 Positive Changes to Behavior 

Your behaviors will change as you begin to think about yourself and others in a new way. In addition, therapists often prescribe “homework” in the form of avoiding or initiating certain behaviors and thought patterns. If you start adopting healthier behaviors after attending therapy, you have proof that it has made a difference in how you think and act. A therapist will help you find the motivation to continue making positive changes. 

Some examples of behavioral changes you might notice after attending multiple sessions include: 

• Fewer risk-taking behaviors 
• Practicing regular self-care
• Automatically identifying, analyzing, and processing emotions 
• Taking steps to create a healthier home environment

#3 Your Way of Thinking Has Changed 

How you problem-solve and resolve interpersonal issues depends on how you think about yourself and others. You may have previously responded emotionally instead of objectively or jumped to conclusions based on biases instead of actively listening and gathering information. The way you approach problems will directly affect their outcome. An experienced therapist will help you recognize unhelpful thought patterns and establish healthier ones.  

Therapy is an essential healing tool and can help you achieve and maintain positive changes in your life. No matter what mental health issues you struggle with, a professional therapist can give you the support you need to recover. Therapeutic techniques can give you the skills to cope with and manage symptoms long-term. You are not alone, and we can help you recover from your condition. Our experienced therapists provide the insights and guidance you need to heal and grow. Alter Wellness Care uses individual and group therapy in our intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. To learn more about our service and how we can help you, call our office today at (866) 311-3510.