What is Behavioral Health?

Behavioral health is a term often used interchangeably with the term mental health. However, it describes the connection of well-being between behaviors and the body and mind. Behavioral health takes a look at aspects that cover mental health issues as well.

It is synonymous with treating, preventing, and alleviating complaints such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Simply put, it’s the practice of taking care of the mind and its actions.

If you’re struggling with self-destructive or addictive behaviors, behavioral health services and therapies can improve your overall well-being.

Types of Behavioral Health Programs

The broad category of behavioral health is simply the process of relieving mental health issues and related behavioral symptoms. There are many different ways to improve behavioral health conditions.

What often comes to mind for many people when thinking of behavioral health is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or talk therapy. It’s often described as a casual conversation with a friend who’s qualified to help with mental health issues. CBT addresses negative thought patterns that have led to behavioral problems like addiction or overeating. Identifying negative thoughts and changing them into more positive thoughts and feelings also change our actions.

A subset of CBT, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provides additional behavioral health benefits. DBT puts more emphasis on regulating mood. Instead of lashing out in anger, one can learn how to deal with difficult situations or conflict.

Another type of behavioral health program worth mentioning is rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). It builds on the knowledge of underlying issues and works to change behaviors based on false beliefs. Problems developed by irrational beliefs put undue strain on an individual. Individuals will be able to dispute and change these irrational beliefs to better their overall health.

Although very popular for its laid back qualities, CBT is not the only option available. Other choices that fall under the umbrella of behavioral health services include:

• Group therapy for addiction
• 12-step approaches
• Drug and alcohol rehab

Each session involves a behavioral health provider such as a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. They meet with a client or group of clients in order to discuss concerns and help develop a plan to resolve mental health and substance abuse issues.

How Long Does Therapy Last?

Each client is unique and so are the situations they face. For this reason, there is no hard and fast rule for how many sessions it takes for someone to complete therapy. Some may need just a few sessions. Some, in the case of rehab or trauma, for example, go through many sessions before they are “done”. In all cases, the goal of behavioral health services is to give someone the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges with as much independence as possible.

Beating the Stigma

Needing the services of a mental health professional shouldn’t be a cause for shame. It’s no different than needing treatment for a condition like diabetes, asthma, or even cancer. Since mental health concerns can be just as debilitating as physical ones, and sometimes even more so, treating them should be a priority.

Therapy at Beaches Recovery

If you find yourself in need of help because of drug or alcohol abuse, the trained staff at Beaches Recovery can help you get back your life.

Our clients enjoy beach-accessible living arrangements, various evidence-based therapies, and holistic activities all located near the sunny beaches of Jacksonville, Florida.

Programs to better your overall health include:

• Individual therapy
• Behavioral family therapy
• Acute stress disorder treatment
• Depression and anxiety treatment
• Substance abuse treatment

If you’re struggling with addiction or other behavioral and mental health disorders, we can help! Recovery advisors are available 24/7 to answer your questions and get you back on the road to a better life. Contact Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532 to discuss how we can help.