Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Sometimes people don’t face their feelings because they fear they’ll be too distressing or overwhelming. But avoiding one’s problems often makes them worse. Avoidance is a step backward, not forward. Talking through your issues, on the other hand, can be a source of strength. This is especially true when you speak to someone who truly listens and can offer meaningful insights into your struggles. That is the critical role of a mental health counselor.
The licensed counselors and therapist at Thriveworks Counseling Montgomery offer clients a judgment-free, supportive zone where they can speak openly and honestly, met only with helpful guidance and compassion. Counseling is a path forward, toward whatever your goals may be. You may be battling depression or anxiety. You may be having the same argument again and again with your spouse. You may feel defeated by all the problems in society. But when you come to Thriveworks, you can find a listening partner who can help.
Are Counselors and Therapists the Same Thing?
Many people aren’t clear on the distinction between counselors and therapists. The terms are often used interchangeably. A therapist is a psychotherapist, that is, someone who does talk therapy. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) usually takes a long-term, in-depth look at someone’s emotional life using various therapeutic approaches. Licensed counselors usually offer shorter-term guidance for specific problems. Therapists can probably do solution-focused counseling, but counselors generally don’t have the training or certifications for psychotherapy.
Thriveworks Counseling Montgomery staffs fully licensed professional counselors (LPCs) as well as psychotherapists (who may be psychologists or something else). Here’s a guide to the other mental health professionals you may encounter at Thriveworks:
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) help couples and families enhance their interpersonal relationships.
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) offer counseling and practical guidance for social services.
- Psychologists (PhDs or PsyDs) tailor psychotherapy to a client’s specific needs. Psychologists can be counseling psychologists or clinical psychologists.
How Can Counseling Help Depression?
Talk therapy and counseling services can help people who suffer from depression and other mental health issues in a number of ways. When a client comes to Thriveworks Counseling Montgomery for the first time, their clinician will give them a full evaluation either in-person or through secure virtual counseling. If the client has depressive symptoms and is subsequently diagnosed with depression, the provider may create a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include any of the following elements:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (a type of CBT)
- Holistic treatments like meditation and muscle relaxation
- Mindfulness training
- Person-centered therapy (PCT)
- Family therapy or couples therapy
- Day to day lifestyle modifications addressing nutrition and exercise
- Psychosocial interventions
- Behavioral activation
Call a Compassionate, Licensed Therapist at Thriveworks Counseling Montgomery
The first step toward your goals is often the most important step of all. Call Thriveworks today and a provider can meet with you as early as tomorrow or the next day. When you make an appointment at Thriveworks Counseling Montgomery, you can access your provider by phone or email between counseling sessions. Our providers accept health insurance, and they’re available for in-person as well as online therapy sessions.
Get exceptional care and support from premium providers by calling the team at Thriveworks. We look forward to hearing from you.
