Alter Mental Health Offers Effective Therapy to Help People Suffering from Mental Illnesses
Seeking out therapy for mental illnesses in San Diego is one of the best ways to regain control of mental health. A licensed therapist can diagnose and create individualized treatment plans to help you deal with behaviors, symptoms, stresses, goals, past experiences, and other areas to promote recovery. Alter Mental Health offers personalized therapy for mental health in San Diego. Our licensed therapists are skilled and knowledgeable in applying a range of therapy techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI).
We provide short-term intensive mental health programs in San Diego to stabilize and get a person on track toward long-term recovery goals. Clients will reside in our comfortable, non-hospital facility to take a break from their daily lives and truly focus on healing their minds. Our San Diego crisis stabilization unit is specifically designed to help mental health patients get immediate care in a quiet, safe environment surrounded by compassionate therapists and staff. Comprehensive treatment programs can include therapy, medication, and holistic practices.
Why Is Therapy Important for Mental Health?
There are a variety of reasons why people seek out mental health therapist in San Diego. Therapy is especially beneficial in treating mental health disorders as it can help uncover underlying causes and provide various coping strategies to manage symptoms. While it may not answer all mental health issues, therapy can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for a happier, healthier life. Even without the presence of a mental illness, therapy can be a vital tool for maintaining mental health.
Some reasons why therapy for mental health in San Diego is essential include:
- Understanding personal mental health better.
- It helps to cope with stress.
- Develops wellness goals.
- Identifies triggers that lead to symptoms and unhealthy behaviors.
- Improves interpersonal relationships.
- Makes sense of past trauma.
- It helps to overcome fears.
- Creates routines and stability.
- Creates a personal plan for a mental health crisis.
5 Types of Therapy for Mental Health in San Diego
There are several types of mental health therapy to fit each person’s needs and mental health disorders. Most types of mental health therapies involve talk therapy, communication between the therapist and patient or between therapist and group members. Therapists will use various forms of therapy depending on their preferred methods and what issues the patient wants to address. Therapy can involve discussing how challenging situations, emotions, and behaviors have affected the person’s life and work through some negative events or distressing thoughts. Some types of mental health therapy include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This evidence-based therapy is widely used for various types of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and personality disorders. CBT aims to reduce negative emotions, behaviors, and thoughts by helping clients recognize and replace them with positive ones. It can be used alone or in combination with other types of mental health therapy. Clients will learn and practice various coping skills and techniques, emotional regulations, and stress management.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy with a greater focus on emotional regulation and mindfulness to manage negative behavior patterns. Clients will learn to understand how their thoughts affect their emotions and behaviors. DBT also works on interpersonal effectiveness, such as communicating more effectively, asserting oneself, and dealing with challenging people.
- Solution-focused therapy (SFT): SFT is a short-term goal-focused evidence-based psychotherapy that helps clients change by focusing on solutions rather than the problem. Therapists develop solutions by asking clients how their lives would be different without the problem followed by helping them explore and apply strengths, skills, and abilities already possessed to solve their problems. Instead of learning new coping skills like other types of therapy, SFT can have quicker treatment outcomes.
- Motivational interviewing (MI): Finding the motivation and confidence to make necessary changes toward better mental health can be challenging. Motivational interviewing (MI) is applied to treatment plans for patients with such challenges. Therapists will encourage clients to talk about their need for change and their reasons for wanting to change so that they can hear their motivations expressed back to them. They can encourage clients to have the strength and skills necessary to make such changes.
- Psychoeducational and process groups: Different types of mental health therapy can be done in a group setting. Peer support, process, and psychoeducational groups can incorporate various types of therapy. Clients can learn about their mental health disorders, heal together, and provide mutual support in group therapy. It is also beneficial for reducing loneliness and building a community support network.
Will I Need All of the Different Types of Mental Health Therapy?
Every person has unique needs when it comes to treating their mental health. While there are various types of mental health therapy, not every person will need every type. Therapists will determine which therapy for mental health or a combination of therapies is best for each client depending on the mental health disorder, recovery goals, personal preferences, and how they respond to each therapy. They will adapt their treatment methods as you progress and regress.
Who Should Consider Therapy for Mental Health in San Diego?
Anyone who is struggling with stress, relationships, work, or mental health should consider therapy for mental health in San Diego. Often, we think of going to the doctor, including a therapist, when we are sick. However, getting therapy when you feel you are struggling can help prevent symptoms from worsening and reduce the risk of a mental health crisis. Therapy should especially be considered after a traumatic or stressful event such as losing a loved one, sexual assault, natural disaster, losing a job, or ending a relationship. These types of stressors can be triggers for mental health disorders and the sooner you get help, the better the treatment outcomes can be.
Seeking out therapy for mental health in San Diego should especially be considered if mental health symptoms impact your everyday life. This can include not caring for your hygiene, inability to get out of bed, not going to work or school, or avoiding social situations.
6 Benefits of Getting Help at a Crisis Stabilization Unit
A person may need immediate, intensive treatment when struggling with mental health or experiencing a mental health crisis. A few options for treating a mental health crisis include visiting an emergency room hospital and being admitted. However, a hospital can be cold, sterile, loud, and not the best place to stabilize a person. Crisis stabilization units are an alternative to inpatient hospitalization and institutions that offer several benefits, including:
- Provides safety: The number one goal during a mental health crisis is ensuring safety. Crisis stabilization units (CSU) will provide 24/7 monitoring and treatment so clients receive intensive, supportive treatment. CSUs take the necessary precautions to ensure all clients remain safe and stabilized.
- Proper diagnosis: Once safety is established, clinicians will conduct a thorough physical and psychological evaluation to make the right mental health diagnosis. Some mental health disorders can look very similar to one another, and effective treatment plans rely on proper diagnosis.
- More comfortable than a hospital: CSUs offer 24-hour monitoring, medications, and therapies as inpatient hospitalization but in a comfortable, quiet environment. Facilities can have an at-home feel with amenities, including semi-private rooms with bathrooms, common areas, kitchen, and outdoor areas. Tranquil spaces like these can also stabilize a person more quickly.
- Get help quickly: When experiencing a mental health crisis, immediate treatment may be necessary. CSUs offer quick admissions, sometimes even on the same day, which can get you the help you need more quickly than an inpatient mental health facility.
- Access to comprehensive treatment plans: Treatment plans are personalized to fit each person’s unique needs and improve treatment outcomes. Clinicians will create an individualized treatment plan to include different types of therapy, medications, and holistic practices. Treatment plans are also adjusted to what works best for each person as symptoms improve.
- Provides a plan and resources for long-term mental health treatment: CSUs go beyond stabilizing mental health to provide clients with a clear aftercare plan which can include resources and referrals for long-term mental health treatment as they return to home life.
Call Alter Mental Health for the Best Therapy for Mental Health in San Diego
When seeking out types of therapy in San Diego, Alter Mental Health can provide some of the best help. We offer comprehensive treatment plans to apply different types of mental health therapy to find what works best for you and treat various areas of your life that are being affected. Short-term intensive mental health treatment at Alter Mental Health allows you to take a break from the stressors contributing to your symptoms so you can entirely focus on healing and receive round-the-clock care. Our clinicians will complete a thorough physical and psychological examination to correctly diagnose you and create an individualized treatment plan to fit your needs. Clients can reside in our comfortable, tranquil 16-bed treatment facility with outdoor spaces and holistic treatment options. Our crisis stabilization unit is available to treat severe cases to ensure safety and necessary treatment to regain control of your mental health.
If you are struggling with stress or mental health symptoms, please call us today at 657-218-5095 to learn more about our programs or begin the admissions process as soon as possible.
