Jun 6, 2024 · 5 min read

What is talking therapy and who can it benefit?

What is talking therapy and who can it benefit?

Without a doubt, we will all experience struggles and uncertainty throughout our lives. From the loss of a loved one, to trauma and negative thoughts, life can take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing. Sometimes, we just need someone to vent to, and for them to simply listen and offer advice.

This is where talk therapy with a licensed therapist comes in.

So, what is talk therapy?

What is talking therapy?

Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is a form of treatment for individuals who may be suffering from psychological issues, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and more. Talk therapy involves attending sessions with a therapist to talk about their issues and experiences.

Talking therapies are used to treat, assess, and even diagnose mental health conditions in a confidential setting. Talk therapy is designed to help the patient:

• Identify triggers and obstacles that stand in the way of their mental wellbeing

• Develop healthy coping mechanisms to combat stress and other negative emotions

• Process previous experiences, including traumatic ones

• Work towards lifestyle changes that improve their quality of life

• Overcome insecurities

• Gain an understanding of their feelings and emotions

• Change unhealthy habits, behaviour, and patterns of thought

What happens during talk therapy?

Talk therapy is usually centred around an open-ended dialogue between the therapist and the patient. This allows the patient to discuss their issues and concerns, sharing their experiences and finally being able to release bottled emotions and feelings without the fear of judgement.

Although this may seem unusual to do in front of a stranger, it is sometimes easier to talk to a stranger instead of a relative or friend. Additionally, the stranger is a therapist who has extensive experience and knowledge when it comes to understanding patients’ emotions, capable of offering expert advice and guidance.

Types of talking therapies

There are a number of different types of talking therapies, with different objectives, but similar goals: to help you feel better about yourself and your situation. Here are examples of the various talk therapies available:

• Behavioural Therapy - aims to replace self-loathing or self-destructive behaviours with healthy ones.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• empowers patients with tools and techniques to challenge harmful thoughts and behavioural patterns.
• Humanistic Therapy - helps patients learn how to live true to their self, focusing on self-actualisation; with subtypes: client-centred therapy, Gestalt therapy, existential therapy; solution focused therapy, and transactional analysis.
• Psychodynamic Therapy - highlights the unconscious drive and meanings of our thoughts and behaviours.
• Holistic Therapy - a blend of different therapy types that is personalised to the patient’s needs.

The type of talk therapy that is recommended will depend on the patient’s condition and which type of therapy is best for treating it.

Is Talk Therapy Effective? In England, 1.22 million people entered the NHS’ Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression programme (TTAD) in 2022/2023 alone, showing the prevalence of individuals needing talk therapies. Of the 1.22 million, only 672,000 finished a course of treatment.

As you can see, despite the large number of people joining talk therapies, not all individuals will complete the treatment. Nonetheless, this does not mean that talking therapies are not effective.

In most cases, the effectiveness of talking therapies can rely on the patient’s willingness to attend sessions and be open and honest about their feelings. The relationship between the therapist and patient also plays a crucial role.

Talking therapies are recommended by mental health experts, citing their many benefits and advantages that patients can reap.

Are you a licensed counsellor looking for a room to rent in London? Talking Health offers counselling room rental in London, with well-equipped rooms that offer privacy, security, and comfort.

Who benefits from talking therapy?

Talking therapies can benefit all sorts of people. They are ideal for anyone who is struggling or suffering from emotional problems. Talk therapy may be particularly beneficial for individuals who have:

• Addiction

• Anger issues

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Eating disorder

• Past traumatic experiences

• Phobia

• Other mental (or physical) health conditions (i.e bipolar disorder, schizophrenia…)

Aside from having a diagnosed mental health condition, talk therapy can also be useful for those who are going through stressful life events, such as:

• Diagnosis of health condition

• Divorce or breakup

• Loss of a job

• Redundancy

• And more…

Are there drawbacks to talk therapy?

There are several drawbacks to talking therapy that may deter some individuals. This includes:

• Progress can take some time - not all patients are initially willing to share the feelings and emotions with a therapist, and results of the treatment might take some time.

• Time commitment - talk therapy can last for months to years before results are seen; it is often a long-term commitment that not all patients are ready to commit to; for effective results, regular sessions will be required.

• Uncomfortableness - patients can feel uncomfortable or tense talking to a stranger about their past experiences and emotions, especially if traumatic and/or negative.

Despite this, talk therapies have many benefits that can outweigh the drawbacks. Investing in talk therapy allows you to heal from depression, trauma, and other problems or issues that you might have been suppressing.

Talk therapy in London

Talking therapies are a beneficial form of treatment that can help anyone and everyone. No matter if you are dealing with grief, divorce, depression, a medical illness, or are simply overwhelmed with anxiety or stress, talk therapy offers a useful way for you to glimpse introspectively and learn how to cope with distress. Discover healing and self-reflection through talk therapies with Talking Health. Find a therapist in London and take advantage of the benefits that talk therapy offers. Take the first step in better understanding your psyche and wellbeing with a qualified therapist from Talking Health. Alternatively, if you are a therapist looking for a therapy room to rent in Kings Cross, Talking Health has a number of comfortable and quality rooms that are soundproof and fitted with access control systems.

For more information about our services, or if you have any questions about our room rentals, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by calling us on 020 7887 2674 or sending us an email at info@talking-health.com.