Mental Health Treatments

• Psychotherapy – Psychotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of mental illness provided by a trained mental health professional.  Psychotherapy explores thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and seeks to improve an individual’s well-being.  Psychotherapy paired with medication is the most effective way to promote recovery.  Examples include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, etc.
• Medication – Medication does not outright cure mental illness.  However, it may help with the management of symptoms.  Medication paired with psychotherapy is the most effective way to promote recovery.
• Case Management – Case management coordinates services for an individual with the help of a case manager.  A case manager can help assess, plan, and implement a number of strategies to facilitate recovery.
• Hospitalization – In a minority of cases, hospitalization may be necessary so that an individual can be closely monitored, accurately diagnosed or have medications adjusted when his or her mental illness temporarily worsens. 
• Support Group – A support group is a group meeting where members guide each other towards the shared goal of recovery.  Support groups are often comprised of nonprofessionals, but peers that have suffered from similar experiences. 
• Complementary & Alternative Medicine – Complementary & Alternative Medicine, or CAM, refers to treatment and practices that are not typically associated with standard care.   CAM may be used in place of or addition to standard health practices.
• Self Help Plan – A self-help plan is a unique health plan where an individual addresses his or her condition by implementing strategies that promote wellness.  Self-help plans may involve addressing wellness, recovery, triggers or warning signs. 
•  Peer Support – Peer Support refers to receiving help from individuals who have suffered from similar experiences. 

Other treatments include:

• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Art Therapy