When used in therapy, games can be a powerful tool to help improve motivation, increase levels of engagement, and strengthen the therapeutic relationship. Using play as a strategy in therapy can help you and your child find success in treatment and have fun as you work toward your goals.
When it comes to psychologists (PhD or PsyD), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), psychiatrists, and more, there are a few similarities and differences to keep in mind to help you better understand what types of mental health providers are available to work with. There are dozens of unique specializations, credentials, and titles that you may come across when researching your options. Learn more about the education and training that different therapists go through to determine which type of mental health provider can best help you meet your treatment goals.
Choosing an evidence-based treatment (EBT) approach to therapy has a big impact on the quality of the services you receive and the results you see. Evidence-based treatments are research-supported approaches that are shown to be effective in addressing specific needs. Choosing to work with a provider who offers cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or another tested method can help you meet your therapy goals.
Interpersonal effectiveness skills are a set of strategies taught in DBT which include the FAST skill to maintain self-respect. When you are faced with a challenging social interaction, the DBT FAST skill reminds you to be fair to yourself and others, not apologize for feeling how you feel, and stay true to your values. Practicing the DBT FAST skill can help you learn to act in a way that makes you feel positively about yourself and maintain a sense of self-respect.
Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) can include persistent behaviors like hair pulling or skin picking. Conditions like trichotillomania and dermatillomania can be distressing and difficult habits to break, but they are treatable. Through collaboration with a trained CBT psychologist, individuals can learn and practice the key steps in habit reversal training (HRT) to curb these habits and find relief.
Opposite Action is a DBT skill that can be used by adults, teens, and kids to help them control big emotions. When you feel a strong emotional urge, Opposite Action reminds you that acting in the opposite way of what your emotions are telling you can actually be helpful in some situations. This practice challenges the automatic link between emotion and behavior to help you respond thoughtfully even when we’re feeling overwhelmed.