Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is the most common form of treatment for a mental health condition, but therapy can benefit almost anyone looking for support. Having a trained professional to help address emotional challenges can seem nearly obvious to be a positive solution, but the science behind why talk therapy is beneficial is prevalent.
There are many different types of psychotherapy, each sharing characteristics while having unique approaches. Every first step to talk therapy is building a therapeutic relationship with the professional. Only after there is an established bond, can there be evidence of scientific progress.
In recent decades, neuroscience research has shown that past events and life experiences affect how our brains work, called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of networks in the brain to change and grow; simply put the brain's capacity to rewire and function differently than it once did. Although, medication is often a solution for one’s struggling with a mental health condition, and while it can help, therapy has been proven to work, just as well or even better than medication. It is a fact that therapy leads to fewer relapses of anxiety than medication alone.
When talk therapy is working towards healing, therapy produces long-term behaviour changes by modifying brain structure, and strengthening connections and communication between neurons. The brain's frontal cortex specifically becomes more equipped to control emotions. The brain's ability to change and grow is certain, but using the skills acquired in therapy is also evidence of the proven benefit. Setting goals is often an important step to gaining the insights of therapy. The goals provide a baseline and can result in a check-in to see if the therapeutic process is being made, this in turn leads to the other steps like identifying thoughts, and emotions and eventually challenging them.
There are often misconceptions about talk therapy, leading to those who doubt the practice’s ability for real change. The most common is that people who seek out therapy are weak, when in fact it is the opposite. Going to therapy shows strength and is beneficial to people in all stages of life. Talk therapy has also been proven most effective for anxiety, depression and PTSD and results in reduced symptoms.
Although some still believe talk therapy is simply 'having someone to talk to' and think it may be 'pointless' providing scientific facts and evidence can open one's mind to the idea that therapy can provide a better state of being and result in an overall healthy lifestyle.
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