Therapy Types
Counseling
A form of psychotherapy that is used to help individuals understand and cope with their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It is a collaborative process between the therapist and the individual where they work together to explore any issues that are causing distress or preventing them from living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Counseling can be really helpful in gaining insight into oneself, developing self-awareness, understanding how past experiences have shaped one’s current behavior, and learning ways to manage stress and make positive changes. Through counseling people can gain a greater understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses as well as develop new skills for managing mental health concerns, difficult relationships, or emotional distress.
Children and Adolescent Therapy
Children and adolescent therapy is an incredibly important service, providing essential mental health support to today's young people to promote wellness. From play therapy for very young children, to expressive art and music therapies for older kids, therapy can provide mental health services that are tailored specifically to the needs of children and adolescents. Common mental health concerns addressed through this therapeutic approach include anxiety, depression, impulsivity, autism spectrum disorder, attention difficulties, aggressive behavior, trauma-related concerns, and family issues. No matter the specific concern that is being dealt with in therapy, it provides a professional atmosphere where the mental health journey of the child or adolescent will be nurtured. Furthermore, it helps foster positive health habits in children and adolescents at a critical period of physical, psychological, and emotional development.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a holistic approach to physical and mental health that helps people develop, recover, and maintain the skills needed for everyday life tasks. It helps individuals gain independence, flexibility, confidence, and improved functioning by participating in activities tailored to their interests and needs. Clients work towards their goals to increase participation in meaningful occupations within their home, school, or community. Occupational Therapists assess mental, physical and social abilities, looking for areas of need for sustainable mental and physical wellbeing. Through a combination of individualized therapy sessions and activities, Occupational Therapists are able to identify and then provide tailored strategies to help improve mental and physical health. The goal of Occupational Therapy is always focused on improving quality of life by catering to the specific needs of the individual.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapy is an evidence-based disciple designed to enable children of all skill levels to engage and participate in meaningful, everyday activities. It builds on mental health and physical abilities, targeting the development of both social and cognitive skills, which in turn helps the child reach their fullest potential. A pediatric occupational therapist works closely with a child and their family to provide advice and support on developing skills essential for their everyday life, like motor development, sensory integration, play and leisure participation, self-care such as dressing, problem solving and using technology. Through this holistic approach of attaining mental and physical well-being, the individualized sessions focus on improving the overall quality of life in children.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is a powerful tool that can help bring families closer together as they work through difficult challenges. By facilitating an open dialogue between family members and helping individuals reflect on how their behaviors affect the entire unit, this type of therapy helps foster a climate of understanding and respect. Through constant communication, education, and skill building, family therapy serves as a secure launching point for positive healing and growth. Family dynamics are complex but with the right guidance families can navigate these complexities with greater ease while simultaneously gaining stronger relationships with each other.
Couples & Marriage Therapy
Couples therapy typically involves two individuals, usually partners or spouses, gaining insight into their relationship dynamics and learning how to effectively communicate. This type of therapy provides them with an objective third party who can help identify potential underlying concerns within the dynamic. Couples may gain improved mental well-being from participating in individual therapy for respective mental health concerns in addition to couples therapy. Through counseling, couples can work towards resolving conflicts in a healthy manner and cultivate a deeper understanding of one another.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma Informed Therapy is an evidence-based approach to mental health treatment developed with the purpose of addressing the mental and emotional needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. Through this method, mental health practitioners recognize how a person’s past experiences may impact their mental wellbeing and use interventions designed to foster healing and restore balance. This often involves using individual therapy sessions, along with providing education about trauma to guide the therapeutic process. Additionally, Trauma Informed Therapy seeks to create an environment in which clients feel heard, respected, and supported as they work towards healing and personal growth. Psychotherapy is an important mental health resource for helping individuals to process and recover from traumatic experiences. Studies have suggested that trauma-informed therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral interventions, can be beneficial in reducing symptoms related to psychological distress. With psychotherapy, individuals learn how to face their trauma more skillfully and integrate it into their story. Through the support of mental health professionals and techniques such as mindfulness or cognitive restructuring, they can acquire skills necessary to help them gain control over their mental health and find joy in life once again.
Parenting Skills
Effective parenting skills are essential for mental health, wellbeing, and overall success in life. Parenting skills go beyond the basic needs of nutrition and hygiene to encompass a wide range of knowledge. It is often beneficial to consult an occupational therapist in order to help guide parents on developing skills that can assist with mental and physical health concerns that may arise throughout the child's development. Such parenting strategies include: understanding individual wants and needs; being attentive to emotions; being consistent with discipline; showing openness to communication; providing guidance on socializing appropriately with peers; establishing healthy limits; and fostering age-appropriate independence. Using these strategies, parents can provide their child with a healthy environment where they can learn, develop, and thrive.
Child Development
Child development is an ever-evolving field that involves the mental, physical, and emotional growth of individuals from infancy to young adulthood. It is important for both parents and healthcare professionals to be aware that different ages require different considerations when it comes to physical and mental health. In particular, understanding the normal stages of growth for mental processes such as language and memory helps healthcare practitioners assess for pathological concerns or learning disabilities. Moreover, having awareness of the changes in coordination and strength at each stage of human development allows occupational therapists to create tailored strategies for physical needs. To help children reach their full potential, it is thus critical to keep up with advancing knowledge concerning child development.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy is an intervention that utilizes a child's natural love of playing to create an environment in which mental, emotional, and physical difficulties can be addressed. It is commonly used by mental health and occupational therapist, particularly with younger children, as it allows them to access and work through difficult mental and physical health issues in a safe and non-threatening manner. Furthermore, the therapists who utilize play therapy act not only as listeners but also as supporters, playing alongside their clients to better understand their emotions and experiences. This professional but playful approach has been shown to help young people uncovered mental health concerns and then support them in the process of healing.
Teletherapy
Teletherapy is revolutionizing the mental and physical health care landscape. This convenient option allows individuals to access mental health care and occupational therapy from anywhere in the world, without the need for an in-person visit. In addition to increasing access and convenience, teletherapy also helps reduce stigmas associated with therapy and gives individuals more anonymity when seeking treatment. Teletherapy provides a safe space for people to talk about their needs without having to worry about judgment from others outside of the closed-door sessions. This can be incredibly helpful for those who are dealing with mental concerns, such as anxiety or depression, and require assistance working through emotions in a private setting. Overall, teletherapy is providing much-needed healthcare options that make it easier to improve health and reduce stressors associated with receiving traditional therapy services. Recent studies have found that teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person services for mental and physical health treatment. In many cases, it can even provide improved results due to the convenience of remote access and increased access to therapeutic support. Research has shown that teletherapy is just as safe and effective as in-person services when provided by qualified professionals.