Types of Counseling in Psychiatry

Treatments used in psychiatry are incredibly useful to help a patient address mental health conditions and manage symptoms that can interfere with a person’s life.

Common types of counseling

There are a wide variety of counseling options that are used for the treatment of mental illnesses. The following are some of the most common.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is talk therapy that is useful for treating many types of mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. It is also beneficial for patients who have experienced traumatic situations and sudden losses, such as the death of a loved one. Patients learn coping skills to combat debilitating symptoms and help themselves heal. This therapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy works to change the negative thought and behavior patterns in patients to allow them to manage problems and improve their mental health. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is highly successful at treating conditions such as depression and anxiety. It is also beneficial for patients suffering from addictions and phobias. By developing a more realistic and healthier approach to life, patients can become more confident in themselves and handle difficult situations in a more effective manner. Another important aspect of this type of therapy involves helping patients develop coping strategies. CBT has been known to improve the quality of life of patients.

Medications

For psychiatric patients, medications are a vitally important treatment option with the ability to amend imbalances in one's brain chemistry. A psychiatrist will complete a comprehensive evaluation to determine what mental disorders are present and which medication is best suited to treat and manage symptoms. The usual types of medications a psychiatrist can prescribe include

• Mood stabilizers: This type of medication is used to treat bipolar disorder and can help to avert mania and depression as well as prevent a patient’s moods from interfering with their daily life.
• Antidepressants: These are used to relieve the symptoms that accompany conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. There are numerous types of antidepressants available, with the most common being reuptake inhibitors, such as SSRIs, NDRIs, and SNRIs.
• Stimulants: Stimulants are used to treat ADHD and can help patients with the condition focus their thoughts and avoid being easily distracted.
• Sedatives: This type of drug is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders and may also be used to help with sleep disorders.
• Antipsychotic medications: These are used to treat disorders such as schizophrenia and can manage symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
• Hypnotics: These drugs are used to induce sleep in patients with sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Hypnotics help patients to fall asleep and can result in a more normal sleep pattern.

Frequently asked questions about psychiatric counseling

Thinking about getting psychiatry counseling for yourself or a loved one? Let us take a look at some of the questions you might have:

1. What should I expect during my first session?

The psychiatrist uses a patient’s first appointment to understand their goals and concerns about therapy. The psychiatrist will then explore treatment options and make recommendations based on the results of the patient’s evaluation.

Psychiatrists typically sit down with their patients to set goals for their therapy sessions and regularly review these goals as the patient improves. Long-term counseling might be recommended depending on the severity of the patient’s issues. The average counseling session lasts about an hour.

2. What does therapy help with?

Therapy can be used to treat a wide range of issues, including addiction and chemical dependency. Other issues counseling sessions with a psychiatrist can help with include:

• Loss and grief
• Relationship/marital problems
• Anger management
• Trauma or abuse
• Anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Chronic pain and other medical conditions
• Asperger syndrome, autism
• Work problems
• Learning disorders like ADHD
• Separation/divorce
• Compulsive or obsessive behavior
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Emotional and behavioral problems

3. Do I have to take medication when getting psychiatric counseling?

No. Taking medication is optional when getting psychiatric counseling, but it might be recommended for some disorders. Still, you have the final say regarding adding medication to your treatment plan. Psychiatry as a standalone treatment can be highly effective for treating a wide range of issues. 

Try counseling

Psychiatrists have the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses for patients struggling with mental health disorders. Psychiatric counseling can help patients manage their illnesses and symptoms for a better quality of life.

Request an appointment here: https://nycpsychiatricassociates.com or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at (917) 391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.

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