Understanding Therapy: Which Approach Is Right for You?

The word “therapy” is a broad term that encompasses many approaches designed to target specific challenges and goals. Whether you’re looking to work through childhood trauma, manage anxiety, or switch things up because your therapy goals have changed, finding the right fit is key. At WMPS, we want to set you up for success! No matter where you are on your therapy journey, understanding the type of therapy that best aligns with your needs ensures you get the most out of your experience.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is like going to the gym but for your thoughts. It takes work and practice to become strong. Therapists who specialize in CBT prioritize teaching patients to identify and change negative thought patterns. The therapist and patient work together to develop a treatment plan and strategies to help manage and nurture mental wellness. This plan can look like weekly “therapy homework,” learning and practicing coping strategies, and guided sessions to continue to foster healthy thought patterns.

Consider CBT if you are looking for:

Learning problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations
Recognizing problematic thinking and working to shift perspective
Understanding the behavior and motivations of others in your life
Changing behavioral patterns: facing fears, remaining calm, and developing problem-solving skills.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

If you feel emotions deeply or struggle with a mental health illness, DBT might be the right approach for you. This approach helps patients understand and control emotions, strengthen relationships, and develop coping strategies. Sessions are focused on learning how to manage big emotions, better understand the root of the emotion, and learn to accept feelings as they arise. Sessions typically include both individual and group work, focusing on key areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Consider DBT if you are struggling with:

Regulating emotions
Mental health illnesses/disorders: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, and eating disorders
Self-harm

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps you gain a deeper understanding of present behavior by exploring how past experiences, childhood relationships, and forgotten memories shape who you are today. This approach can help you better understand yourself, and break free from patterns that no longer serve you.

Consider PT if you struggle with:

Depression
Serious psychological disorders
Difficulties forming and maintaining relationships
Social anxiety

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

EMDR is an eight-step neurological treatment utilized in a therapeutic setting to identify, challenge, and reprocess negative core beliefs. This approach uses guided eye movements to help process and reframe painful or traumatic memories and experiences. If you’ve tried other traditional therapy methods for anxiety, fear, or past trauma and are feeling stuck, EMDR could be the next step to finding mental relief.

Consider EMDR if you struggle with:

PTSD
Traumatic experiences
Anxiety disorder and social anxiety
Panic disorders
Phobias

Therapy At WMPS

Each therapy is tailored to understand and equip you with effective strategies and knowledge to grow. It is important to ask yourself what area you would like to focus on and choose a therapist who will best address your desire for the sessions. At WMPS, we offer a range of therapeutic approaches, with specialists in ADHD, trauma, mental health disorders, and developmental conditions. Our diverse team of experts are here to make sure everyone who walks through our doors receives the support they need and deserve!If you’re ready to start therapy, reach out to us today! And if you’re still exploring your options and want to feel more prepared, download our free ebook. It’s packed with helpful insights on therapy goal-setting, important questions to ask, and what to expect as you begin your journey.