How talk therapy works
Talk therapy, sometimes called psychotherapy, involves talking with a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor, or social worker to address mental or emotional issues.
Some kinds of talk therapy may work better than others for certain problems or issues. Talk to a Geode therapist about your situation. They will create a personal treatment plan customized to your needs. If that includes medication, they can easily refer you to one of the Geode psychiatric practitioners within the same office.
Our therapists in Houston, TX (Montrose)
Annette Morales-Tymczak, LPC-S
Therapist
I am a Therapist and have been providing mental health services for 25 years in… View Annette Morales-Tymczak’s profile
Kimberly Arcos, LPC
Therapist
I am a Therapist and have been providing mental health services for 7 years in… View Kimberly Arcos’s profile
Ivanna Crippa, LPC
Therapist
Hola! Hello! My name is Ivanna, and I want to welcome you to therapy! I… View Ivanna Crippa’s profile
Ayla Toles, LCSW
Therapist
I specialize in treating adults with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as PTSD. My… View Ayla Toles’s profile
Bailey Warner, LCSW
Therapist
As a therapist, I embrace a collaborative approach to guide you through the healing process… View Bailey Warner’s profile
In-person or online appointments available with therapists in Houston, TX (Montrose)
Unlike many “virtual-only” mental healthcare companies today, Geode Health is physically located in the communities we serve. This allows us to monitor our patients with complex needs in person—safely prescribing the medications others can’t—and offer access to the latest treatments.
For added flexibility, we also offer the ability to connect with providers online, via a secure video visit. Both visit types are easy to book and manage online, available within a week or less.
Most common psychotherapy services at Geode Health
Child and adolescent therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping children and teenagers cope with emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues. It involves working with a trained therapist who uses age-appropriate techniques to help children and adolescents express their thoughts and feelings, develop coping skills, and improve their overall functioning.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their patterns of negative thinking and behavior that may be contributing to mental health problems. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative thoughts, developing coping strategies, and setting and achieving goals to improve mental health and well-being. It is one of the most research-backed forms of therapy worldwide.
Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps couples improve their communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationship. It involves a trained therapist working with both partners to identify and address issues such as infidelity, health issues, financial problems, or lack of intimacy, with the goal of improving the overall health and happiness of the relationship.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness techniques. It was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD) but has since been adapted to treat other conditions, such as eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). DBT helps individuals learn skills to both tolerate and regulate their emotions, manage distress, and improve their relationships with others. It is so popular that some schools are incorporating DBT skills to help adolescents and young adults improve their emotional well-being.
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a trained therapist leads a group of people who are experiencing similar mental health issues or life challenges. The therapy sessions are designed to provide support, guidance, and feedback to group members, as they share their experiences and learn from each other. Group psychotherapy can be effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a type of brief intervention therapy that helps individuals increase their motivation to change their behavior. It is often used in the treatment of addiction and involves a collaborative and non-confrontational approach to help individuals explore their conflicting feelings and establish a personalized plan for behavior change.
Psychodynamic therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on exploring unconscious thoughts, feelings, and past experiences that may be impacting a person’s current behavior and relationships. The therapy aims to help individuals gain insight into their patterns of behavior and emotions, ultimately leading to greater self-awareness and psychological growth.
Supportive psychotherapy is a type of therapy that aims to provide emotional support and practical guidance to individuals who are experiencing a range of mental health problems. It is based on the principles of empathy, validation, and positive reinforcement, and is designed to help individuals cope with their symptoms, build self-esteem, and develop coping strategies in a safe environment.
Frequently asked questions about talk therapy
Yes, psychotherapy and talk therapy both refer to the same type of mental health treatment.
Psychotherapy is generally considered a form of psychological treatment or psychological counseling that utilizes verbal communication and various activities to analyze a person’s mental or emotional state to treat negative emotional or behavioral patterns. Similarly, talk therapy refers to any therapeutic practice where the clinician (psychotherapist) engages in talking with their patient as part of their treatment plan.
It’s important to note that not all forms of psychotherapy involve talking as the primary component – some people prefer more creative approaches such as art therapy where patients explore their emotions using nonverbal methods instead.
While psychotherapy and psychiatry can both be effective for managing mental illness, the two are very different from one another.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness with medications. Medications such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers can be used to address symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
On the other hand, psychotherapy focuses on using communication between the patient and a trained professional to help you develop the skills needed to identify and manage emotional challenges. Psychotherapy focuses on your internal thought processes, feelings, and behaviors.
In some cases, your therapist may recommend that you work with a psychiatrist in addition to ongoing psychotherapy to address both the symptoms and root causes of your mental health condition.
Our Houston therapy team in Montrose is dedicated to matching each client with the right therapist for their mental health care needs. Whether it’s addressing trauma or you are in need of depression therapy, anxiety treatment, or are dealing with any other mental health issue, our individual therapy sessions are tailored to ensure you receive personalized and effective therapy services.
Psychotherapy treats a variety of mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety disorders, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Depression
- Addiction, substance use, and alcohol use disorders
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders
- Relationship problems
- Stress-related issues
- Trauma-related issues and PTSD
The goal of talk therapy is to help you improve your ability to cope and manage your own life’s challenges. Some psychotherapies are oriented towards identifying and gaining insight into the roots of your distress. This can lead to a better understanding of yourself, more effective tools for managing stress and emotion regulation, and ultimately improved mental health. Other psychotherapies focus on changing behavioral patterns and building coping skills with the idea that changing your behaviors will ultimately improve your thoughts and your feelings.
Research shows that psychotherapy can be an effective form of treatment for many mental health issues. Psychotherapy can help you identify the underlying causes of your struggles and develop tools for managing distress.
Additionally, therapy can provide a safe space for you to talk about your anxieties, fears, thoughts, and experiences and get support from an objective mental health professional.
At Geode Health, we believe in a comprehensive approach to mental well-being. We offer a variety of psychiatry and psychotherapy services under one roof to ensure our patients have access to high-quality holistic mental health treatment that meets their needs.
After your initial evaluation, your Geode provider can offer more guidance on the type of treatment plan that may work for you. Many patients find that a combination of medication management with a psychiatric specialist as well as ongoing psychotherapy produces the best outcomes, while others prefer one type of treatment over the other. The choice to see a therapist or psychiatrist is ultimately dependent upon your goals and unique needs.
Psychiatrists can prescribe a variety of medications to treat mental health conditions. Common types of medication prescribed by psychiatrists include antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety medications. Your psychiatrist may also recommend lifestyle changes such as exercise or dietary modifications to help manage symptoms, as well as non-medical treatments like talk therapy.