Psychotherapy in Wylie, TX
Pathway Psychiatry and Counseling Center
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a treatment method used by many different types of mental health care providers. This therapeutic method can be implemented to help individuals who may struggle with a variety of mental illnesses, or those facing life stressors or transitions. The ultimate goal is to bring about improvements in the patient’s everyday life and enhance understanding of thoughts, feelings, patterns, and behaviors.
Throughout her training, Dr. Gardner received extensive experience in treating patients with a variety of psychiatric illnesses, using both psychopharmacology (medications) and psychotherapy (talk-therapy). She also worked in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric units, psychiatric emergency departments, private and public hospitals, outpatient psychiatric clinics, and the Veteran’s Affairs hospital. For more information about psychotherapy and other mental health services we provide at our office in Wylie, call (214) 997-4459 to schedule your appointment online.
Who Can Benefit from Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy has been proven to significantly improve symptoms related to a variety of mental health problems, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Mood disorders
- Eating disorders
In addition to helping individuals manage symptoms of mental illnesses and disorders, psychotherapy can also be utilized by those without a diagnosed condition. For example, psychotherapy can help to cope with daily stressors, life transitions such as divorce or the birth of a child, or to better communicate with those around you.
It is common for Dr. Ashley Gardner to recommend psychotherapy in combination with medication to more effectively treat a patient’s condition.
Types of Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can be broken down into several more specific subtypes. The type of psychotherapy approach may vary based on the particular patient, their history, and Dr. Gardner’s professional opinion on which type of psychotherapy may be most beneficial.
Common forms of psychotherapy used:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This therapy is focused on changing the way an individual reacts to a given situation. Ideally, CBT will allow the patient to understand how their thoughts or cognitions impact their feelings and behavior. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy typically consists of 8-12 sessions, but this is determined on an individual basis.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT is centered around a person’s relationships with others. This form of psychotherapy is very beneficial in making short-term changes so that a person may express themselves more healthily in their relationships.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Many current behaviors can be traced back to behaviors learned in childhood. Psychodynamic therapy is based on identifying these behaviors, what influences them, and how they can be altered to improve the quality of the patient’s life and relationships.
- Supportive therapy: During supportive therapy sessions, Dr. Gardner will offer support and encouragement of a patient’s healthy behaviors. The goal of this type of psychotherapy is to increase the patient’s self-esteem and reduce anxiety in social situations, as well as support those who are facing difficult life stressors.
An individual’s psychotherapy is not limited to one particular subtype. Any number of these therapy methods may be implemented based on your individual history in addition to your ongoing progress.
Which Type of Psychotherapy is Right for Me?
Every individual is different and comes with their unique past and experiences. Only after fully evaluating which particular issues you are currently struggling within your daily life, will Dr. Gardner be able to recommend a specific type of psychotherapy for you.
Schedule Your Appointment at Pathway Psychiatry
If you are interested in learning more about psychotherapy, or other therapeutic treatment methods, please contact Pathway Psychiatry and Counseling Center PLLC today!