Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy at Unnati’s Mental Health Care offers a personalized and supportive approach to addressing a variety of mental health concerns. Our experienced therapists utilize evidence-based techniques and a compassionate, client-centered approach to help individuals explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. Through collaborative dialogue and therapeutic interventions, we work with clients to identify underlying issues, develop coping skills, and foster positive changes in their lives. Whether dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues, our goal is to support individuals on their journey towards healing, growth, and improved overall well-being.
Psychotherapy use for psychological illness such as Depression, Anxiety, social Anxiety OCD, Stress, etc.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Individual counseling typically involves one-on-one sessions between a client and a trained counselor or therapist. Here are some key aspects regarding individual counseling:
Goals
The goals of individual counseling can vary widely depending on the individual’s needs and concerns. Common goals include improving mental health, managing emotions, coping with stress or trauma, improving relationships, and developing personal growth and self-awareness.
Timings
Individual counseling sessions usually last around 45 to 60 minutes, although this can vary based on the therapist’s approach and the client’s needs. The frequency of sessions can also vary, with some clients meeting weekly, biweekly, or on a less frequent basis depending on their progress and goals.
Here’s a basic overview of how CBT works:
Identifying Negative Thoughts:
The first step in CBT is to become aware of your negative or distorted thoughts. These thoughts often contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, or other emotional problems.
Challenging Negative Thoughts:
Once you’ve identified negative thoughts, the next step is to challenge them. This involves examining the evidence for and against your negative thoughts and considering alternative explanations.
Changing Patterns of Behavior:
In addition to working on changing negative thoughts, CBT also focuses on changing patterns of behavior that may be contributing to emotional problems. This might involve gradually facing feared situations (exposure therapy), learning new coping skills, or practicing relaxation techniques.
Homework and Practice:
CBT often involves homework assignments and practice exercises outside of therapy sessions. This might include keeping a thought diary, practicing relaxation techniques, or gradually facing feared situations.
Monitoring Progress:
Throughout the therapy process, you’ll work with your therapist to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
CBT has been extensively researched and has been found to be effective for a wide range of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and others. It’s typically a short-term, goal-oriented therapy, with most people seeing significant improvement within 12 to 20 sessions.
It’s important to note that while CBT can be highly effective, it’s not the right approach for everyone or every situation. Different people may respond better to different types of therapy, and it’s important to work with a qualified therapist to find the approach that’s best for you.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy(DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that was originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has since been adapted and proven effective for a wide range of other mental health conditions, including mood disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
DBT was developed by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. It combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts from Eastern mindfulness practices. The term “dialectical” refers to the balance between acceptance and change, which is a central principle of DBT.
Here are some key components of DBT:
Mindfulness:
DBT emphasizes mindfulness skills, which involve being fully present in the moment without judgment. Mindfulness techniques help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and sensations, and learn to tolerate distress without reacting impulsively.
Distress Tolerance:
DBT teaches strategies for coping with intense emotions and distressing situations without resorting to harmful behaviors. These skills include distraction techniques, self-soothing activities, and crisis survival strategies.
Emotion Regulation:
DBT helps individuals identify and understand their emotions, and develop healthier ways of managing them. This includes learning to recognize and label emotions, identifying the factors that contribute to emotional dysregulation, and practicing strategies for modulating intense emotions.
Interpersonal Effectiveness:
DBT teaches skills for improving communication and building healthier relationships. This includes assertiveness training, learning to set boundaries, and practicing effective conflict resolution.
Middle Path:
DBT encourages individuals to find a middle path between acceptance and change. This involves balancing acceptance of oneself and one’s current situation with a commitment to making positive changes and working towards a better future.
DBT is typically delivered in both individual therapy sessions and group skills training sessions. Treatment is often structured and follows a specific curriculum, with a focus on teaching and practicing DBT skills. The therapy is collaborative, with the therapist and client working together to identify goals and develop strategies for achieving them.
Overall, DBT is a highly structured and comprehensive approach to therapy that has been shown to be effective for individuals struggling with a wide range of mental health issues. It can help people build skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and living a more fulfilling life.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a form of psychotherapy developed by psychologist Albert Ellis in the 1950s. It is based on the premise that our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes play a significant role in how we feel and behave. REBT aims to help individuals identify and challenge irrational beliefs and replace them with more rational, adaptive beliefs.
Here are some key principles and techniques of REBT:
ABC Model:
REBT is based on the ABC model, which stands for Activating event, Beliefs, and Consequences. According to this model, it is not the actual event (A) that directly causes emotional and behavioral consequences (C), but rather the individual’s beliefs (B) about the event. REBT helps individuals identify irrational beliefs that lead to emotional distress and replace them with rational beliefs.
Identifying Irrational Beliefs:
REBT identifies several common irrational beliefs that contribute to emotional distress, including demandingness (believing that things must be a certain way), catastrophizing (viewing situations as unbearable or catastrophic), and low frustration tolerance (believing that one cannot tolerate discomfort or frustration). REBT helps individuals recognize and challenge these irrational beliefs.
Disputing Irrational Beliefs:
Once irrational beliefs are identified, REBT helps individuals dispute and challenge these beliefs using rational arguments and evidence. This process involves questioning the validity of irrational beliefs and examining their consequences.
Cognitive Restructuring:
REBT aims to help individuals replace irrational beliefs with more rational, adaptive beliefs. This involves cognitive restructuring techniques, such as reframing negative thoughts, challenging cognitive distortions, and developing more realistic perspectives on oneself and the world.
Homework and Practice:
Like other forms of therapy, REBT often involves homework assignments and practice exercises outside of therapy sessions. These assignments may include keeping thought records, practicing relaxation techniques, or engaging in behavioral experiments to test the validity of beliefs.
REBT is typically a short-term, structured therapy that focuses on helping individuals develop coping skills and strategies for managing their emotions and behavior. It is considered an evidence-based approach and has been found to be effective for a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, and relationship problems.
Overall, REBT emphasizes personal responsibility, self-acceptance, and resilience, and aims to empower individuals to take control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to live more fulfilling lives.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a time-limited, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on addressing interpersonal issues and improving relationships. It was initially developed in the 1970s by Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman as a treatment for depression, but it has since been adapted for other mental health conditions as well, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders.
Here are some key principles and techniques of Interpersonal Therapy:
Interpersonal Inventory:
IPT begins with a comprehensive assessment of the individual’s interpersonal relationships and current life circumstances. The therapist and client collaboratively identify specific problem areas or interpersonal conflicts that may be contributing to the individual’s emotional distress.
Interpersonal Focus:
IPT is structured around four main interpersonal problem areas: grief, role transitions, interpersonal disputes, and interpersonal deficits. Depending on the individual’s specific needs and circumstances, the therapist will focus on one or more of these areas during treatment.
Exploration of Emotions:
IPT encourages individuals to explore and express their emotions related to interpersonal issues, such as loss, anger, guilt, or resentment. The therapist provides a supportive and nonjudgmental environment for the individual to process these emotions and gain insight into their impact on relationships.
Communication Skills:
IPT helps individuals develop and improve communication skills, such as assertiveness, active listening, and problem-solving. These skills are essential for resolving conflicts, expressing needs and desires, and building healthier relationships.
Role-playing and Behavioral Experiments:
IPT often involves role-playing exercises and behavioral experiments to practice new interpersonal skills and test out different ways of interacting with others. These practical exercises help individuals gain confidence and make positive changes in their relationships.
Relational Focus:
Unlike some other forms of therapy that may focus more on intrapsychic processes, IPT is primarily concerned with interpersonal dynamics and how they contribute to emotional distress. The therapist and client work together to identify patterns of interaction and develop strategies for improving relationships.
IPT is typically delivered in a structured, time-limited format, with sessions occurring weekly over the course of several months. The therapist takes an active and directive role in guiding the treatment process, while also providing empathy, validation, and support.
Overall, IPT is a collaborative and practical approach to therapy that helps individuals improve their relationships, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and alleviate emotional distress. It is grounded in the understanding that our relationships with others play a significant role in our mental health and well-being.
Supportive Therapy
Supportive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on providing emotional support, encouragement, and guidance to individuals who are experiencing distress or facing difficult life circumstances. It is often used as a short-term intervention to help individuals cope with acute stressors, such as grief, relationship problems, or medical illness, as well as chronic mental health conditions.
Here are some key features of supportive therapy:
Emotional Support:
Supportive therapy aims to create a safe and empathetic environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and accepted. The therapist provides validation of the individual’s feelings and experiences, helping them feel less alone in their struggles.
Problem Solving and Coping Skills:
While the primary focus of supportive therapy is on providing emotional support, the therapist may also help the individual develop practical coping skills and problem-solving strategies to address their concerns. This may include teaching relaxation techniques, stress management skills, or communication skills.
Normalization of Feelings:
Supportive therapy helps individuals recognize that their emotional reactions are normal responses to difficult circumstances. By normalizing their feelings, the therapist helps reduce feelings of shame or self-blame and promotes self-compassion.
Exploration of Strengths and Resources:
The therapist may help the individual identify their strengths, resources, and support networks that can help them cope with challenges and build resilience. This may involve exploring past successes, positive relationships, or personal values and beliefs.
Encouragement and Hope:
Supportive therapy provides encouragement and instills hope in individuals, helping them believe that things can improve and that they have the ability to overcome obstacles. The therapist offers optimism and reassurance, while also being realistic about the challenges ahead.
Flexibility and Client-Centered Approach:
Supportive therapy is flexible and tailored to the individual’s unique needs and circumstances. The therapist adopts a client-centered approach, focusing on the individual’s priorities and goals, and adapting the therapy accordingly.
Supportive therapy may be delivered in individual, group, or family settings, depending on the needs of the individual and the nature of their concerns. It is typically brief in duration, ranging from a few sessions to several months, although the length of therapy may vary depending on the severity of the individual’s symptoms and the complexity of their issues.
Overall, supportive therapy provides a compassionate and nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore their feelings, gain insight into their challenges, and develop coping strategies to navigate difficult circumstances. It can be a valuable form of intervention for individuals who are experiencing distress but do not require more intensive or specialized treatment.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that draws on the theories and principles of psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud and later expanded upon by other theorists. It focuses on exploring the unconscious mind and how past experiences, especially early childhood experiences, shape a person’s current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Here are some key principles and techniques of psychodynamic therapy:
Unconscious Processes:
Psychodynamic therapy emphasizes the role of unconscious processes in influencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The therapist helps the individual explore unconscious conflicts, desires, and motivations that may be contributing to their current difficulties.
Exploration of Childhood Experiences:
Psychodynamic therapy explores how early childhood experiences, particularly relationships with caregivers and family dynamics, shape personality development and patterns of behavior. The therapist helps the individual gain insight into how these early experiences continue to influence their adult life.
Defense Mechanisms:
Psychodynamic therapy examines the use of defense mechanisms, such as repression, denial, projection, and rationalization, to cope with anxiety and protect the individual from painful or unacceptable thoughts and feelings. The therapist helps the individual become aware of their defense mechanisms and understand how they may be limiting personal growth and self-awareness.
Transference and Countertransference:
Psychodynamic therapy pays attention to the therapeutic relationship and the dynamics that emerge between the therapist and the individual. Transference refers to the individual’s unconscious feelings and reactions towards the therapist, which may reflect patterns of relating from past relationships. Countertransference refers to the therapist’s emotional reactions towards the individual, which may provide valuable insight into the individual’s internal world.
Interpretation and Insight:
Psychodynamic therapy uses interpretation as a key technique to help the individual gain insight into unconscious processes and conflicts. The therapist may interpret patterns of behavior, dreams, or recurring themes in the individual’s life, helping them understand the underlying meaning and significance.
Working Through:
Psychodynamic therapy involves a process of working through emotional conflicts and unresolved issues in order to promote personal growth and psychological healing. The therapist provides support and guidance as the individual explores and processes difficult emotions and experiences.
Psychodynamic therapy is typically long-term and intensive, often lasting several months to years, although the duration of therapy may vary depending on the individual’s goals and needs. It is conducted in one-on-one sessions between the therapist and the individual, with a focus on building a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship.
Overall, psychodynamic therapy aims to increase self-awareness, promote insight, and facilitate personal transformation by exploring the unconscious roots of emotional distress and interpersonal difficulties. It can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with longstanding patterns of behavior, unresolved childhood issues, and complex psychological problems.
Acceptance Commitment therapy( ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals develop psychological flexibility and make meaningful changes in their lives. It is based on the principles of mindfulness and acceptance, combined with strategies for clarifying personal values and taking committed action towards those values.
Here are some key principles and techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
Acceptance
ACT encourages individuals to accept their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment or avoidance. Instead of trying to control or suppress difficult experiences, individuals learn to make room for them and allow them to come and go naturally.
Cognitive Defusion:
ACT helps individuals distance themselves from their thoughts and see them for what they are—just thoughts, not necessarily reflective of reality or absolute truths. Techniques such as metaphor, humor, and mindfulness exercises are used to help individuals “defuse” from unhelpful thoughts and reduce their impact on behavior.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness techniques are central to ACT, helping individuals cultivate present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental attention to their experiences. By practicing mindfulness, individuals learn to observe their thoughts and feelings with openness and curiosity, rather than getting caught up in them or reacting impulsively.
Clarifying Values:
ACT helps individuals identify their core values—what truly matters to them in life. By clarifying values, individuals gain a sense of direction and purpose, guiding their actions and decisions in alignment with what is most meaningful to them.
Committed Action:
ACT emphasizes the importance of taking committed action towards valued goals, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings. Individuals learn to identify specific actions that align with their values and take steps towards achieving them, despite any internal or external barriers they may encounter.
Self-as-Context:
ACT encourages individuals to develop a sense of self that is flexible and context-dependent, rather than rigidly defined by thoughts, emotions, or external roles. By recognizing the ever-changing nature of the self, individuals become less attached to their identities and more open to new possibilities and experiences.
ACT is typically delivered in individual or group therapy sessions, with the therapist guiding individuals through various exercises and techniques to develop psychological flexibility and enhance well-being. It is considered a transdiagnostic approach, meaning it can be applied to a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, substance use disorders, and more.
Overall, ACT aims to help individuals live more fully in the present moment, engage in behaviors that are consistent with their values, and build resilience in the face of life’s challenges. It emphasizes acceptance, mindfulness, and committed action as pathways to psychological growth and well-being.