Therapy may be a successful strategy to help you cope with stress. Types of therapies for stress and other conditions include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or group therapy.
Stress is an expected part of life. But it may have physical and emotional effects, which can cause worry and feeling on edge. It can fluctuate at work or home, and challenging situations and other life changes can trigger it.
Seeking therapy may help you develop healthy strategies for coping.
While stress is a typical part of life, recurring stress that interferes with your daily activities and overall well-being should not be.
Stress can manifest in different ways, including:
- excessive worrying
- inability to sleep at night
- body aches
Therapy may help you manage stress better and equip you with strategies for coping with future stress.
Below are commonly used therapies for stress and related mental health conditions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for short-term help
CBT is one of the most common therapies. It addresses your thought patterns and behaviors. It’s an umbrella term for several types of therapies, including:
Your therapist will
It may be used on a short- or long-term basis, making it suitable for treating chronic mental health conditions or helping you work through traumatic events and other causes of acute stress.
You may benefit from CBT if you’re concerned about:
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy focuses on behavior changes but more on actions than thoughts.
According to behavioral therapy, previous behaviors dictate your actions. Changing your behavioral responses to stress now can create new patterns and possibly avoid further stress.
Behavioral therapy tends to work best for long-term triggers of stress, including:
- traumatic events
- anxiety
- phobias
- attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Psychodynamic therapy
Like CBT, psychodynamic therapy
It may be best suited for long-standing issues you’ve been managing that cause stress, which are intertwined with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is a technique traditionally used to treat:
Exposure therapy works by allowing your therapist to expose you to the triggers you intentionally avoid gradually. Over time, this will help you become accustomed to these fears and less stressed about them.
Exposure therapy may help address chronic stress if you practice avoidance to avoid more stress.
Group therapy
Group therapy may be an option if you’re
- natural disaster
- loss of a loved one or family member
- divorce
A trained therapist leads sessions, and you may find the group setting allows you to feel empowered and less alone.
Trained psychologists or psychotherapists (talk therapists) are generally the first-line mental health professionals for stress-related therapies. Their mission is to help you identify stress triggers while collaboratively developing a plan to manage them.
When looking for a therapist, ask what they specialize in. Many psychotherapists use CBT, while others might specialize in psychodynamic therapy.
Some psychotherapists also specialize in stress and related mental health conditions, such as anxiety.
While psychologists and psychotherapists tend to be the most helpful in assisting with behavioral changes in response to stress, some situations may warrant other mental health professionals who also use talk therapy techniques. These include:
- Psychiatrists: who can prescribe medications and have medical training
- Group counselor: who specializes in working with a small group of people with similar struggles
- Play therapists: for younger children
- School counselors: who may address stress in school-aged children and college students
No matter which professional you seek, be sure they’re licensed in your state and have relevant education and experience.
Seek help if you feel that stress is interfering with your daily activities.
The American Psychological Association is a good online starting point. Check out their free psychologist locator to find therapists in your state. You can also ask your doctor for recommendations.
Healthline also has a search and book tool for mental health professionals in your area.
Insurance
While many insurance companies cover mental health services, check with your provider regarding in-network therapists. You’ll also want to check out information regarding co-payments and other fees.
Affordable therapy options are available no matter your insurance coverage and budget.
Some therapists don’t take medical insurance due to privacy concerns. You may check if they offer sliding scale fees to help offset your costs. Less expensive options may include:
It’s important to schedule an initial consultation to gauge your comfort level with the therapist. You may find it takes a few different therapists or therapies until you’ve found the right fit.
Occasional stress isn’t necessarily a cause for concern if you can manage it alone. But if stress interferes with your life regularly and you feel overwhelmed, it may be time to seek help.
Therapy can be an invaluable tool for stress, whether you’re going through an unusually tough time or if you’ve been managing chronic stress. It can even address stress related to mental health conditions or chronic illnesses.
Finding the right therapist might require several consultations and different therapies, but several ways to connect with a talk therapist or other mental health professional are available.
