A Paradigm Shift in Therapy

Psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists are trained to identify issues, diagnose, and create a plan for resolution. As such, traditionally, therapy has been framed as a response: a method to heal an ailment. It is a reactive process aimed to “fix” an identified problem. While helping patients resolve issues is an important part of therapy, it can be limiting and myopic if that is the only way we think and talk about therapy.  At Vail Health Behavioral Health, there's a transformative conversation we're beginning to embrace: viewing therapy not just as a means to treat but as a powerful tool to enhance well-being and overall life satisfaction.
 

Why the Shift?

Consider therapists akin to the role of coaches in sports. Just as a skilled coach doesn't merely correct techniques but also motivates, strategizes, and enhances the performance of an athlete, therapy can serve a similar function for our behavioral and emotional health. Instead of viewing therapy solely as corrective for when something goes wrong, we can see it as ongoing coaching for our minds, helping us optimize our mental fitness and resilience. This shift from therapy as a response to dysfunction to a proactive tool for personal excellence can profoundly change how we approach behavioral health care.

Imagine if we treated our behavioral health like a garden. Traditional therapy aims to weed out the invasive species, those thoughts and behaviors detrimental to our health. Optimization-focused therapy, however, is about cultivating what we want to grow, planting the seeds of positive emotions, nurturing resilience, and fertilizing with practices that enhance our well-being. Just as a well-tended garden flourishes, so too can our mental landscape when we focus on growth and enrichment.
 

The Importance of This Paradigm Shift

By reframing our view of therapy, we can destigmatize its use and make it more approachable for everyone. Therapy is not just for those who are struggling, but also for individuals who are doing well and want to do better. It is about enhancing resilience, boosting emotional agility, and fine-tuning our capacity to enjoy life and meet its challenges head-on. This perspective encourages a broader demographic to seek out therapy, expanding its benefits across our community. It encourages everyone to be healthier and happier. 
 

What Does Optimization-Focused Therapy Look Like?

Therapy aimed at optimization involves setting personal performance goals, whether they're related to work, relationships, or emotional regulation. It might include strategies for stress management, exercises in mindfulness, healthier relationships with food, or developing communication skills that foster better interactions at home and in the workplace. This highly individualized and proactive approach to self-care not only prepares us to handle life's difficulties but also enhances our everyday functioning and satisfaction.

3 Questions to Change Your Approach to Therapy

If you're interested in this philosophy, consider approaching sessions with curiosity, not just problems. Rooted in existential philosophy, this approach invites us to reflect on questions like:

• Who am I becoming?
• What matters most to me?
• Where am I living out of alignment with my values?

By collaborating with your therapist, you can build and define personal growth goals.
 

Why Now?

In a world that is increasingly complex and demanding, enhancing our behavioral health toolkit is not just beneficial but essential. At Vail Health Behavioral Health, we are committed to this new narrative where therapy is a resource for all, a means to not only recover but to truly thrive. Let's embrace this shift together and redefine what it means to be healthy in every sense of the word.