Therapy is a word used to describe lots of different ways of helping people. It helps you to understand your thoughts and feelings.
There are different types of therapy, including:
- counselling
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- play and art therapy
Therapy is a safe space where you can talk about anything you want and a trained therapist will never judge you.
Counselling
Sometimes you just need someone to talk to, and that is what counselling does.
It’s where you talk to a trained counsellor who will help you find ways to understand and cope with how you feel.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is a talking therapy that helps you deal with any problems you might have. It teaches you coping skills by changing how you think or behave.
It can help you to understand how the way you think might make you feel stuck and negative. It takes these thoughts and feelings and turns them into positive ways to cope.
Play and art therapy
Play and art therapy is a way to help understand how you feel using games or art.
Play therapy uses toys, instruments, or computer games to help you and your therapist understand how you feel.
Art therapy uses art to help you express how you feel. You might do some drawing or painting, and it really does not matter if you are good at art or not.
Ways you can get therapy
A lot of therapies are face-to-face. Depending on your situation and the service you use, therapists can sometimes meet you, your parents or caregivers, in your home, or at a centre.
Sometimes services can offer help online or over the phone.