Talking therapies can help you work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and make positive changes. They can help people who are feeling distressed by difficult events in their lives as well as people with a mental health problem.
Most of us communicate with the use of language whether it be through word (verbally) or through images or signs. Talking enables us to let people know what we are thinking and feeling.
Language develops gradually from the time we are babies. Sounds are made which are interpreted by parents or carers who learn from these sounds if the baby is tired, angry, happy, sad or angry. Many of us have heard of the tantrums of “the terrible two’s” but this is the age when young children become more aware of what they want and how to get it! We also encourage children to talk by our body language, we smile at them, they smile back, we frown and they look confused, we turn away and they may look anxious or often cry. All of this is normal as we learn to find our voice.
In terms of “talking therapies” we know that –
- They can help you to work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and make positive changes.
- Talking about your thoughts and feelings can help you deal with times when you feel troubled about something. If you turn a worry over and over in your mind, the worry can grow.
- Talking about our difficulties can help you work out what’s bothering you and help you with time and space to explore what you could do about it.
- Talking is an important part of our relationships. It can strengthen ties with people and help stay in good mental health.
- Being listened to can and does help you feel that people care about you and what you have to say.
Talking therapies give people the chance to explore their thoughts and feelings and the effect they have on their behaviour and mood. Describing what is going on in your head and how that makes you feel can help you notice any patterns which it may be helpful to change.
It can help you work out where your negative feelings and ideas come from and why they are there.
Understanding all this can help people make positive changes by thinking or acting differently. Talking therapies can help people to take greater control of their lives
Talking therapies may also be referred to as:
- talking treatments
- counselling
- psychological therapies or treatments
- psychotherapies
The various terms used to describe talking therapies often mean different things to different people.
If you are thinking about a “talking therapy” important to ask about a therapist’s level of training.
What kinds of talking therapy are there?
Different talking therapies are called a confusing mix of names and some therapies have several names.
Don’t let the jargon put you off! Ask questions until you feel happy with the counsellor and the approach they will use. Remember, one size does not fit all!
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends certain therapies for certain problems, but other therapies might work just as well.
- Cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT)
- Dialectic behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic therapies
- Humanistic therapies
- Other kinds of talking therapy
- Support and information
How do they work?
By looking at how we can react differently to our thoughts and feelings (for example, challenging negative thoughts) and how changing the way we behave can help us feel better (for example trying new activities).
What are they based on?
They are based on scientific methods and are carefully researched before they are used in practice.
More Information
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Care first
Offers short term “solution focussed therapy” this focusses on:
- What are the issues that bring you to Care first right now?
- What options are available to you?
- What outcomes do you which to achieve?
The Care first counsellor will then offer various ways in which they can help and support you and work with you to achieve some of those outcomes
Care first practices a solution focussed way of working, it is does not offer long term therapeutic work.
How can Care first help?
If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control
of a situation.
All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.
If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘How talking therapy works’ this is being delivered live on Tuesday 6th July at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1007335585857827086
If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.