The Power of Therapy
April 2025 Blog
What is the power of therapy? What does the word therapy really mean and how can therapy make a difference in your life. According to Oxford Languages, “therapy” is defined as “treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder”. Therapy (English) comes from Latin therapia from Ancient Greek and means “healing”. The four most commonly recognized and practiced types of therapy are:
Cognitive, Behavioral, Humanistic and Integrative/Holistic.
In my nutshell and summarized by me according to the world-wide web; Touro University: “Cognitive” therapy is all about our thoughts and if we change our thoughts, we can then change our behaviors or reactions. “Behavioral” therapy is about understanding the brain and behavior connection and using conditioning through that connection to change a behavior. “Humanistic” therapy is about understanding and supporting, to help one in making choices to live their best life. “Integrative/Holistic” therapy brings together all the other therapies to provide one with treatments personalized just for them.
To some “therapy” can appear to be a dirty word, something unwanted, because it can cause one to open themselves up, share one’s vulnerabilities, speak their unspoken thoughts and share their internal dialogs with someone. They can feel violated, even judged, and that makes one not want to pursue any type of therapy. It is like going from the light into the darkness!
But to others “therapy” can also provide a cleansing of sorts, causing one to feel a lifting and the lightness of letting go of their vulnerabilities, a sharing of their load of hurts, angers, or anything else that is weighing and holding them down. They feel accepted. It is like coming from the darkness into the light!
Start at the beginning, if you are yearning to understand, let go or embrace more, consider therapy as a way to heal that yearning. It doesn’t matter what type of therapy you choose; it could be one type or multiple types. It is important that whatever therapy you do, it should resonate with you to your core. What does that mean? To me, your core is who you are, what makes you tick, excites you and makes your heart sing. An example, I am an artist. When I sought out therapy for a specific issue, I used a traditional therapist, but it really did not seem to help me to grow in or understand my real issues. My then Therapist retired and turns out my new Therapist was an Art Therapist. Because Art communicates to my core and makes my heart sing, my therapy became life changing for me.
Do not be afraid…know that your perceptions are your reality, but they can be changed through therapy. Let go of your fear and embrace the healing potentials that therapy can bring to you.
Blessings, Light and Love!