Mental Health Therapy
Discover the Right Mental Health Therapy in New Jersey
Overall, 49.5 percent of people can expect to have a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. By using the therapy, New Jersey treatment centers offer, you can take the first step in treating depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental disorders. Comprehensive treatment programs use an individualized approach so that each person can get help with their unique struggles.
The Kinds of Mental Health Therapy New Jersey Residents Can Receive
Choosing the right therapists in New Jersey depends on what you are looking for. For example, families may seek out family or marriage counseling when they are going through a divorce. Meanwhile, someone who has experienced grief or trauma may want to go to group therapy. When you first reach out to a therapist, they will help you determine which kind of mental health treatment is right for your needs.
Individual Counseling and Psychotherapy
You can use individual sessions for a variety of different conditions. During your session, mental health professionals will work to understand the symptoms of your condition. They may help you analyze the underlying fears and behaviors that are preventing you from being happy in life. During the individual therapy New Jersey clinics offer, you may work with a licensed clinical social worker, a psychologist, or another kind of therapist.
Family Therapy
At some point, families may need a family therapist to help them improve the quality of their relationships. Sometimes, family members will argue because they cannot understand each other’s feelings or experiences. The therapist helps each person see a new point of view.
During mental health treatment, the family therapist works with family members together and on an individual basis. Initially, the patient gets a chance to talk about the ways their mental illness affects them. Then, family members can discuss the ways the patient’s mental illness affects them as well. In this safe environment, both parties can open up and improve their connection to each other.
Group Therapy
With the therapy New Jersey residents can find, patients can make progress individually or as a group. In group therapy, the therapist works with a group of individuals who share common problems or goals. By meeting in a group environment, patients can gain support from people who are undergoing similar situations.
Normally, the group will have regular meetings with the therapist to talk about their ongoing concerns. You may have heard of Alcoholics Anonymous, addiction support groups, and other popular group options in the past. Since they were created, these groups have been used by people around the world to talk about shared issues. You may also join a group to deal with stress, marital issues, mental illnesses, grief, or other problems.
Couples and Marriage Counseling
In order for a marriage to last, both partners have to work at it. Sometimes, this work is accomplished through the help of mental health services. Through the therapy, New Jersey counselors offer, you can learn healthier ways to discuss problems. You can work on understanding your partner and developing healthy coping mechanisms.
For every 6.1 marriages, there are 2.7 divorces. Fortunately, 44 percent of marriages do not have to end in divorce. Marriage counseling can help couples avoid assigning blame and doing other negative behaviors. Instead, you can learn how to talk constructively about your problems. Before long, you can move past the obstacles in your marriage.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
When you search for the therapy New Jersey residents need, you will most likely hear about CBT. A therapist uses CBT to treat trauma, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression [4]. Additionally, you can use these mental health services to treat marital problems and eating disorders.
A licensed clinical social worker or therapist helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors during CBT. Once you can change your thoughts or feelings, you can change your behaviors. For instance, you may want to alleviate unwanted thoughts about using drugs. CBT is one of the mental health treatments that can help with intrusive thoughts.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a kind of CBT that works for people who feel intense emotions. During the therapy, New Jersey clinics offer, you can learn self-acceptance and emotional regulation. Therapists in New Jersey also offer this treatment to people who suffer from suicidal thoughts or borderline personality disorder. Sometimes, a therapist will use it for anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions as well.
Gambling Therapy
An estimated 1 to 3 percent of adults suffer from some kind of gambling addiction. Through the help of a gambling therapist, you can learn about the signs of an addiction. Additionally, you can also learn the skills you need to recover.
Anger Management Therapy
Anger management classes can help with a variety of mental health and behavioral issues. During treatment, therapists in New Jersey can help you prevent and control your anger. Ultimately, frustration fuels anger. Instead of lashing out in a fury, patients learn to channel this frustration properly.
Trauma Therapy
More than two out of three children experience an incidence of trauma by the time they turn 16. Afterward, they may suffer from stress, confusion, dissociation, exhaustion, sadness, and anxiety. Eventually, trauma can even lead to physical illnesses as well.
During the trauma therapy, New Jersey clinics offer, a therapist will help you with self-care skills. For example, you may learn how to cope with difficult emotions and set boundaries. Over time, patients become better at emotional regulation and relaxation strategies.
Depression Therapy
With the help of your therapist, you can determine which kind of depression treatment is right for you. Some clinics offer talk therapy, medication, or other mental health services for depression. Over time, this treatment can help to normalize the brain changes that happen during cases of depression.
Anxiety Therapy
During the last year, around 19.1 percent of people suffered from an anxiety disorder. Because of this, therapists in New Jersey offer specific treatments for patients who have anxiety. The type of treatment depends on the patient’s unique needs.
Like depression, anxiety treatment may include a blend of counseling and medication. Other than CBT, patients may try behavior therapy, relaxation techniques, or mindfulness. Additionally, they may learn breathing techniques that can help them avoid the symptoms of anxiety.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Therapy
When someone has OCD, it can affect every aspect of their life. Mental health professionals can help through exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP is a kind of CBT that exposes you to your personal OCD triggers. Then, your therapist or licensed clinical social worker will help you manage your response to those triggers.
During the therapy, New Jersey centers offer, you can also get help through acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT encourages you to accept your thoughts without controlling them. Rather than dealing with stress about your intrusive thoughts, you learn to focus on the present moment.
Bipolar Disorder Therapy
During the last year, 2.8 percent of American adults suffered from bipolar disorder. Whether you work with a licensed clinical social worker or a family therapist, there are treatment options that can help. Often, a therapist will use CBT and psychoeducation to treat patients.
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is another popular option. It helps people learn how to develop consistent routines for managing their moods. Meanwhile, family-focused counseling encourages family support and positive communication. Over time, family members can help the patient spot and manage mood swings.
Grief Counseling
After an incidence of trauma or the loss of a loved one, it is normal to experience grief. Grief counseling can help you get the support you need. CBT is a common choice because it helps people identify their negative thought patterns. By spotting these negative patterns, you can prevent them from triggering negative behaviors as well.
Other than CBT, you may also use ACT or grief-specific therapies. Many mental health professionals offer group counseling. A group setting allows you to share your therapy experience with people who are going through the same thing.
Eating Disorder Therapy
At mental health treatment centers, you can get help for eating disorders. Often, CBT successfully helps patients regulate many behaviors related to eating disorders. The therapist may also offer help through ACT, DBT, and cognitive remediation therapy (CRT).
What Can Someone Expect During Mental Health Therapy?
During your first session, you will spend time filling out paperwork. Your therapist needs to learn more about you and your goals before determining the right treatment. In general, you should use this session to talk about your diagnoses, medical history, symptoms, and medications.
After your first appointment, your mental health treatment will focus on your personal needs. For example, you may learn coping techniques for stress or start CBT for depression. You may also get medication to help with your mental health disorder.
Each person is unique, so mental health professionals create targeted treatment plans. Throughout your treatment, you will work with your therapist to revise this treatment plan. You can also ask for different therapies or medications if you think they will help your treatment.
What Is the Evaluation Process for Getting Someone Proper Mental Health Therapy?
A mental health evaluation always starts and ends with you. Initially, patients reach out to mental health services because of a specific problem. After you contact a therapist, they will do a physical evaluation. Your therapist will also discuss any family history of mental illness.
Additionally, your therapist will want to discuss your current symptoms. For example, you may talk about stress, depression, or anxiety symptoms. You can talk about issues with insomnia, troubling thoughts, or specific triggers. Most likely, your therapist will want to know how long you have been experiencing each symptom.
The goal of the evaluation is to get you the help you need. Because of this, you should answer as honestly and thoughtfully as you can. Once you have finished your evaluation, your therapist will use your answers to formulate a treatment plan.
Are Therapists and Psychologists the Same Thing?
While therapists and psychologists do the same clinical work, psychologists generally have to go to school for a longer time than therapists do. Because of this school background, many psychologists have a research-oriented mindset. In New Jersey, psychologists must get a doctorate. Additionally, they need to work for two years in a supervised setting.
Other than working as a psychologist, mental health workers can also become licensed professional counselors (LPC). They can get licensed as a school counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or licensed clinical social worker. Because all of these professionals provide some kind of counseling option, the most important question is who you feel comfortable working with.
How Do I Find a Good Therapist in New Jersey?
To find a good therapist in New Jersey, you should start by considering your own needs. For example, you may want someone who specializes in depression or grief if you recently lost a loved one. You can also ask friends for recommendations.
Many therapists have online websites and videos. After you have a list of potential therapists, you can look at each therapist’s website to learn more about them. Additionally, you can consider their experience level, certifications, and cost. If your insurance covers mental health services, you may also want to look for therapists who work with your insurance provider.
Ultimately, the biggest factor in picking a therapist is you. What do you want out of your counseling experience? In general, you will get more from your experience by finding a therapist who is a good fit for your unique needs and personality.
Learn About Mental Health Treatment Programs Today
No matter what kind of treatment you need, there are mental health programs available in New Jersey. The right treatment can help you learn new coping strategies and enjoy a better quality of life. To learn more about New Jersey’s best treatment options, contact us today.
Resources:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/marriage-divorce.htm
https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/dbhis/trauma-focused-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-tf-cbt-national-therapist-certification
https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/understanding-child-trauma
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder