Guide to therapy and navigating the holidays

SALT LAKE CITY – Holiday season is here. Navigating the holidays can be both exciting and challenging, which makes it the perfect time to share a guide to therapy.

In the latest Let’s Get Moving with Maria podcast episode, Maria Shilaos spoke with Melissa Spaulding, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Owner of Guided Wellness Counseling, to discuss the importance of therapy during a time of festivity and distress.

 

Why a guide to therapy?

Spaulding pointed out that there are still many out there who are having a hard time recovering from the fallout of COVID-19. She noticed that some of her clients are still navigating changes to their family system.

When it comes to the fall and winter, she wants people to be mindful of their self care. Therapy is one way that can help you manage that.

“I think a good place to start is understanding that there are different kinds of therapy out there,” Spaulding said.

There are four main types of therapy.

The first is individual therapy, where you sit with a therapist and share your personal struggles and hopes for growth.

The second is marriage and family therapy. This is where partners or parents and children meet with a therapist to discuss the conflicts they’re having in their relationship.

The third is play therapy, which is specific to children.

“The big difference is children learn, grow, develop, and feel through play—not conversation,” Spaulding said.

The fourth type encompasses the first three, and that is telehealth. This allows you to speak with a therapist online or over the phone.

Many therapists initially worried that it would be harder to build a connection with their clients through telehealth. However, Spaulding explained that she still had positive experiences and even realized its accessibility benefits.

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