A Guide On Counseling Techniques

In 2001, the World Health Organization estimated that four in every ten people globally had suffered from a mental disorder. Given the statistics, social, cognitive, and emotional health are critical. Counseling techniques have proved effective in overcoming mental disorders. Thus, a therapist can support an individual's journey to wellness.

Counseling Services

Counseling is a process in which a counselor helps a client overcome stress and emotional challenges. A counseling therapist is a trained and licensed professional who uses counseling techniques to support the client in exploring positive behaviors, feelings, and attitudes in life. A counseling therapist can help patients deal with substance abuse, anger management, depression, relationship management, loss, drastic change, nutritional disorders, and physical abuse. 

The main types of counseling therapists include the following: 

• Drug and substance abuse therapists
• Family therapist
• Educational therapists
• Career guidance therapists
• Rehabilitation therapists 

Main Counseling Therapist Techniques 

Behavioral Therapy: This approach aims at transforming problematic behaviors. The thinking behind behavioral treatment is that people behave in a particular way due to past experiences and that they can learn new behavioral responses. A therapist will use techniques such as classical conditioning to encourage positive behavior through rewards and punishment. The therapist may help desensitize a client from a phobia or anxiety through constant exposure. 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A cognitive therapist believes that people can change their feelings and actions by altering their thinking. The argument is that problematic distress arises from how you feel and think about yourself. Subsequently, challenging irrational beliefs enhances well-being. Therefore, a counseling therapist using this approach will try to change what the client thinks rather than what they do. 

Humanistic Therapy: A therapist that applies this technique believes that the client is best suited to understand their triggers and needs. The key argument is that suffering results from choices, and choices are a product of your worldview. Subsequently, the approach supports people to make rational choices that care for human relations. 

Psychodynamic Therapy: This approach is grounded in psychoanalysis. It is more effective in treating mental health disorders. In practice, the therapist supports the client to analyze the connection between the action and the unconscious mind. Thus, clients are encouraged to talk about any thought or behavior they associate with their problem. In the end, patients change negative behaviors and thoughts by realizing the motivation in the unconscious mind.

Counseling therapists integrate different approaches to support clients' needs for wellness. It is okay to seek help, and it is acceptable to change a therapist. Contact a therapist like Donald McEachran, PHD to learn more.