When it comes to psychological treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all solution – what works for one person might not work for another. That’s why it’s important to understand the pros and cons of different types of treatment before you commit to anything.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common types of psychological treatment and explore the advantages and disadvantages of each. The Centre for Clinical Psychology offers a diverse and holistic approach to helping patients on a tailored basis that works for their individual needs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns in order to change negative behaviours. CBT has been proven to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD.
One of the major advantages of CBT is that it is relatively short-term; most people only need 10-20 sessions before they start seeing significant improvements in their symptoms. CBT is also generally considered to be low-cost; many insurance plans cover at least some portion of CBT, and there are many affordable options for self-pay patients as well.
On the downside, CBT can be time-consuming; each session usually lasts 60-90 minutes, and you’ll need to commit to coming in for weekly sessions for several months. CBT can also be difficult, as it involves challenging your negative thought patterns so this can sometimes make you feel worse before you start feeling better.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a type of CBT that specifically focuses on treating anxiety disorders by gradual exposure to the things that trigger your anxiety. For example, if you have a fear of flying, your therapist might have you sit in a plane simulator or watch videos of planes taking off and landing before gradually working up to taking an actual flight.
The advantage of exposure therapy is that it has been proven to be very effective in treating anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that exposure therapy can help up to 90% of people with anxiety disorders reduce their symptoms significantly.
The downside of exposure therapy is that it can be difficult and uncomfortable; as the name suggests, you will be intentionally exposed to things that make you anxious, which can sometimes make your symptoms worse before they get better. Exposure therapy also requires a significant time commitment – each session usually lasts 60-90 minutes, and you’ll need to come in for weekly sessions for several months.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a type of long-term talk therapy that focuses on understanding the unconscious factors that contribute to your current behaviour. Psychodynamic therapy generally takes place over the course of several years, with weekly 50-60 minute sessions.
· One advantage of psychodynamic therapy is that it can provide you with a deep understanding of yourself and your behaviour; because this type of therapy focuses on uncovering the root causes of your symptoms, it can help you develop insight into why you act the way you do and how you can change those patterns.
· Another advantage is that psychodynamic therapy tends to be relatively affordable; while the initial investment may be higher than other types of therapy due to the length commitment, many insurance plans will cover at least some portion of psychodynamic therapy.
· A final advantage is that psychodynamic therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, and personality disorders.
The downside of psychodynamic therapy is that it requires a significant time commitment; as mentioned above, this type of therapy generally takes place over the course of several years, with weekly 50-60 minute sessions. Psychodynamic therapy can also be expensive – while insurance may cover some portion of the cost, self-pay patients can expect to pay $100 or more per session.
And finally, this type of therapy may not be suitable for everyone. It relies heavily on verbal processing of emotions, so people who are uncomfortable talking about themselves or their feelings may not benefit from this type of treatment.
Which type of treatment best caters for your needs and preferences?
There are many different types of psychological treatment available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to do your research and consult with a mental health professional before deciding which type of treatment is right for you.
With so many options available, there’s sure to be a treatment out there that can help you achieve your goals!