One of the things that I’ve learned throughout my therapy journey is that it is very important to get treatment that is specific to your disorder or issue. Going to a therapist to talk about your feelings is good, but you need to get the proper diagnosis and get the specific treatment that is evidence-based to help your situation.
For example, I have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). My therapy is tailored to these issues that follow exposure and response prevention therapy. Without going into too much detail, (please see this blog for more detail) when you have OCD you get stuck on things. This will cause immense anxiety so we do “compulsions” that will bring momentary relief from the anxiety. However, after the relief from the compulsion wears off, the anxiety comes back and often comes back more intensely. Things that may help you with your issues, may actually hurt me.
Why Individual Therapy is Important
Here is why getting specific therapy for your disorder is important.
As mentioned, I have OCD. One obsession I have is that I am a bad father. When I have this obsession come into my mind I will reassure myself that I am a good father, and go talk to my wife. This will bring relief but often the anxiety comes back worse. For me, going to my wife and reassuring myself is actually HURTING me…..you may be saying “But Jonathan my therapist said you have to have positive self-talk to get rid of anxiety, so you are not doing anything wrong.”….Ah Ha! This is why individualized treatment, is so important. For me, when I do positive self-talk in that context, I am actually hurting myself!
My therapy needs to follow an ERP guideline because I have OCD.
How to Figure Out the Therapy Strategy For You
This is why I am very passionate and pushy about making sure that people go to somebody who specializes or emphasizes in what their issues are. If you are struggling after somebody passed away you must go to a grief specialist. If you are always depressed and nothing makes you happy you need to go to a specialist that deals with depression.
Research is changing and there are new things that people are finding that can help different disorders.
Here are some recommended books, but remember, make sure it’s specific for you
Change Your Brain Change Your Life
Stay Strong,
Jonathan