There’s a good chance you know someone who goes to therapy. In fact, about 30% of Americans have met with a therapist since 2020. While it’s a common belief that therapy is for people with mental health disorders, the truth is that anyone can benefit.

That’s because whether it’s everyday stress, a career change, or feeling stuck in life, therapy provides a safe space to process what you are going through. It’s a tool for anyone who wants to improve their well-being, gain new perspectives, or handle stressful situations.

Here’s how therapy could play a role in your life. 

What Is Therapy?

Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, is a process where you meet with a therapist to work through challenges like difficult emotions, relationship issues, or habits you want to change. It’s a step toward becoming the healthiest version of yourself, whether you are dealing with stress, painful feelings, or seeking personal growth.

In therapy, you set goals together with your therapist and implement steps to achieve them, making it a personalized experience. Your therapist’s role is to listen, offer support, and provide guidance in a safe, confidential environment. 

Types of Therapies

Therapy can take many forms, such as individual, group, or family sessions. The focus is not just on the experiences you want to discuss, but also on how you process them. It is about building a therapeutic relationship with your therapist and finding the tools to improve your well-being. The four most common typesof therapy include: 

• Cognitive Therapy — Focusing on how your thoughts influence our emotions and actions. Negative thinking patterns can lead to negative feelings and behaviors. This therapy helps you recognize and change those thoughts to improve how you feel and act.
• Behavioral Therapy — Examines how behaviors are learned and can be changed. It often uses techniques like desensitization, which gradually exposes you to your fears in a safe way to help reduce anxiety over time.
• Humanistic Therapy — Helps you reach your full potential by focusing on personal growth, self-discovery, and living authentically. It includes approaches like client-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, and existential therapy, all aimed at helping you make choices that lead to a fulfilling life.
• Integrative/Holistic Therapy — Combines different methods like cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic approaches tailored to your needs. It might also include alternative practices like breathwork or acupuncture to treat the mind, body, and spirit.

Remember, it can take time to find the right therapy or therapist for you. If you feel the counseling isn’t working, there’s no obligation to continue.

Benefits of Therapy

Therapy offers a safe space to explore your feelings, understand your behaviors, and build the skills needed for a healthier, more balanced life. Whether you are facing a specific challenge or just looking to improve your well-being, therapy can provide the tools and support to help you grow and thrive. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Feeling stronger when facing challenges
• Changing habits that hold you back
• Understanding how your thoughts affect your emotions
• Healing emotional wounds from the past
• Improving your relationship skills
• Setting and achieving personal goals
• Boosting your self-confidence
• Coping with stress, fear, grief, or anger
• Solving problems more effectively
• Managing daily stress 
• Building resilience and maintaining good mental health

Finding Solutions with AltaMed

If you are interested in speaking with a therapist, AltaMed offers short-term therapy services. For ongoing counseling, we can connect you with mental health resources close to home. In addition, parents can enroll their families in AltaMed behavioral health services at eligible high schools and middle schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. To get started, click here or call (855) 425-1777.