Happily, there have been many improvements in the mental health field since it’s early days. Millions of men, women, and children around the world are now able to access clinically-supported mental health care. People in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metro Area may also improve their mental health by seeking a licensed therapist. Denver therapists are highly-trained and eager to help local residents who are struggling with mental health disorders.
Online Therapy in Denver is a New Approach to Mental Health Care
Online therapy is a modern approach to mental health treatment. While most mental health modalities today are medically-supported, the reality is many people do not have the financial resources to afford care. Online therapy is significantly less expensive than visiting a licensed therapist. Denver residents who are experiencing mental health issues may use online therapy to get the help they need.
The second benefit of online therapy is its unparalleled convenience. Individuals who have a mental health disorder may not have the ability or time to search for a therapist. Denver residents who face these circumstances may avail themselves of online therapy. This revolutionary treatment approach is completely transforming the mental health landscape.
How Does Therapy Work?
Therapy is an effective tool to help individuals feel better about themselves, other people, and the future. People in treatment may also learn techniques to cope with negative symptoms. In therapy, clients are encouraged to tackle the concerns that initially moved them to seek a therapist. Denver residents with concerns such as anxiety or depression may be helped to adjust maladaptive thinking patterns.
Negative thinking is a major factor that brings many people to therapy. It can easily lead to negative feelings and behaviors. During therapy, a number of treatment modalities may be utilized by your therapist. Denver residents may be treated with evidence-based approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, or cognitive therapy.
The First Session
If you feel nervous about your initial session with your therapist, you do not have to worry. Many people feel nervous when they enter therapy for the first time. Learning about therapy and planning ahead can help you to remain calm. In most cases, sessions last for 45 or 50 minutes.
Before you come to therapy, it may be helpful to think about the reasons you are seeking treatment. This can help you to work more effectively with your therapist. Denver residents may benefit from bringing a list of points they want to discuss in the initial session. They may also take along a small notebook to write down helpful suggestions from their therapist.
First Impressions
First impressions are very important in therapy. In many cases, your first impressions set the tone for the entire therapeutic process. So take note of your emotions in your initial treatment session as you speak with your therapist. Denver therapists who put you at ease and demonstrate genuine concern for you may be a good fit for long-term care.
Rapport
Easy communication is vital to effective therapy. Building a good rapport with your mental health provider begins in your first meeting together. Most people who enter therapy are anxious at the thought of talking to a licensed therapist. Denver therapists are aware of the challenges you face and are trained to keep the discussions moving forward.
Presenting Problem
You will be asked to discuss your presenting problem in your first session. Your presenting problem or presenting challenge is the issue that brought you to your therapist. Denver residents may feel ashamed, guilty, angry, or embarrassed when talking about their presenting problem. However, you need to be open about your issues if you want mental health treatment that really helps.
Personal History
Your therapist will ask about your personal history in your first meeting together. This may include questions about your family history, mental health, medical history, upbringing, childhood experiences, past traumatic experiences, alcohol use, drug use, as well as current and past relationships. It may be difficult for some people to share this type of information with a therapist. Denver therapists use this data to aid in diagnosing your mental health condition and formulating the most effective treatment plan for your needs.
What Happens in Follow Up Sessions?
As therapy continues, your mental health provider may ask you to do a few assessments or tests. These assessments will help him or her to learn more about your personality, gauge the severity of your mental health condition, and identify any unhealthy coping strategies you may be using. You may also be given activities to do outside of your regular sessions with your therapist. Denver therapists will analyze your therapeutic progress and collaborate with you to expand or reexamine your treatment goals as needed.
Am I Going to Get Diagnosed with a Mental Illness?
Visiting a mental health provider does not automatically mean you will be diagnosed with a mental health issue. On the contrary, many individuals and couples who have excellent mental health choose to visit a therapist. Denver therapists may help people to:
- Understand their children better
- Sharpen their parenting skills
- Resolve marital conflicts
- Increase intimacy
- Become more positive
- Sharpen their communication skills
- Cope with the death of a family member
- Increase their academic or work performance
- Recognize their personal strengths
- Change negative habits or behaviors
- Cope with stress in a healthy way
- Increase their self-worth and self-confidence
- Work on their personal weaknesses
- Become more sociable
- Manage family issues such as divorce
- Increase their self-awareness
- Improve their ability to make wise decisions
- Find more joy in their day-to-day life
What Can I Do to Get the Most Out of Online Therapy in Denver?
Therapy is very different from a dental exam or a medical checkup. While people are often encouraged to remain passive during these exams, a therapy session is most beneficial when you are actively engaged with your therapist. Denver residents are urged to speak freely with their mental health counselor. Other suggestions for maximizing your time in therapy are listed below.
Be Honest
Honesty is vital for successful treatment. Even so, many individuals find it challenging to be truthful about issues that paint them in a negative light. For example, clients may want to hide details about their addiction, loss of libido, infidelity, or other issues.
Despite these challenges though, clients are urged to be honest with their therapist. Denver psychologists need to understand your issues completely so that can provide treatment that works.
Be Open Minded
Open-mindedness during therapy is very important because some people may have unwarranted or unrealistic expectations about treatment. Some individuals enter therapy thinking it will instantly fix their issues. Other people may think therapy is a waste of time and refuse to cooperate with their therapist.
It is important to remember that successful treatment requires participation and effort from the people in therapy. Some individuals with mild issues may have therapy for a few weeks. People with severe issues may go to therapy for several years.
Ask Questions
Productive therapy sessions typically involve a lot of questions. Your therapist will ask questions to learn about your background as well as the concerns that brought you to treatment. You can also ask questions to lessen your anxiety and evaluate whether your therapist is a good fit for you. Some of the questions you can ask your therapist are outlined below:
- Is your license to practice psychotherapy still valid?
- What are your mental health qualifications?
- What is your therapeutic orientation?
- What techniques do you typically use?
- What is your area of expertise?
- Do you think I have a mental health issue?
- What is the cost of treatment?
- How long does a counseling session with you last?
- How many counseling sessions do you think I need?
Find Your Denver Therapist With ThriveTalk
ThriveTalk provides online counseling services for individuals who live in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metro Area. Each therapist on the platform is carefully vetted to ensure they are able to provide high-quality, compassionate mental health care. ThriveTalk therapists do not have to lease office space for their practice. This means they are able to pass on significant savings to their online therapy clients.
Online therapy with ThriveTalk offers greater convenience and confidentiality than in-office therapy. People who use online mental health services are able to choose an appointment time that works for them, rather than adjust their routine to fit into their therapist’s schedule. Online therapy is usually conducted in the privacy and comfort of your home. This means no one you know will ever see you walking into a therapist’s office.
Online counseling with ThriveTalk is easy to access, effective, confidential, and convenient. Residents in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metro Area may access ThriveTalk’s secure platform on their laptop or mobile phone.
