Mental Health Treatments: What You Should Know
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health treatment. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, feeling overwhelmed, or simply curious about your options, understanding the types of treatments available can help you make informed, empowered decisions. From talk therapy to advanced medical interventions, this guide breaks down common approaches, questions to ask, and how to find what’s right for you.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational and advocacy purposes only. The Novel Advocate does not provide medical or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before starting, stopping, or changing any mental health treatment.
💬 Talk Therapy Types
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
A goal-oriented, structured therapy focused on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Great for anxiety, depression, OCD, and more.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT helps with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Often used for PTSD and trauma. Uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movement) to help process traumatic memories in a new, less distressing way.
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Helps you build psychological flexibility by accepting difficult thoughts while committing to values-driven actions.
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
A growing approach that works with “parts” of the self, often used in trauma and identity work.
💊 Medication Categories
Coming Soon: A breakdown of what terms like SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and Tricyclics actually mean — explained in simple, middle-schooler-friendly language. We’ll also dive into how these medications work, what to expect when starting them, and how to know if they’re helping or not.
We’ll also build a full guide to medication safety and empowerment: what questions to ask your doctor, how to talk to your pharmacist, why it’s important to use one pharmacy for all prescriptions, and how to protect yourself from medication-related risks while embracing the benefits.
We’ll even include tips for checking community feedback — like Reddit threads or Facebook groups — and how to balance other people’s experiences without taking every review as fact. Everyone’s body and brain respond differently.
Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, Tricyclics)
Used for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. Take time to build up in the body and often require monitoring.
Mood Stabilizers (Lithium, Lamotrigine)
Primarily used for bipolar disorder or severe mood swings.
Antipsychotics (Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal)
Used for psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, or severe mood disturbances.
Anxiolytics (Benzodiazepines, Buspirone)
Target anxiety and panic. Benzos can be addictive and are usually prescribed short-term.
Stimulants & ADHD Meds (Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin)
Used to treat ADHD and sometimes treatment-resistant depression or fatigue.
🧪 Advanced & Alternative Treatments
Ketamine Therapy
Used for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Can be administered via infusion, nasal spray, or lozenges. Should be managed by a qualified provider with proper screening.
ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)
A medical procedure that uses electrical stimulation to treat severe, treatment-resistant depression. Often misunderstood but life-saving for some.
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
Non-invasive, uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood. Typically used for depression and OCD.
Holistic & Complementary Approaches
Includes acupuncture, yoga, trauma-informed massage, nutritional psychiatry, etc. Often used in conjunction with other therapies.
❓ What to Ask Before You Start
- What are the risks and benefits?
- What’s the timeline for seeing results?
- Are there any lifestyle changes or side effects?
- How will this interact with other treatments or medications I’m on?
- Is this covered by insurance, and if not, what will it cost out of pocket?
- How often will I be monitored or followed up with?
🏥 Insurance & Coverage Tips
- Call your insurance provider directly and ask for a list of covered services (mental health is often billed under behavioral health).
- Search in-network providers using your insurer’s directory and verify coverage directly with the provider’s office.
- Ask about pre-authorization, copays, session limits, and whether referrals are needed.
- Look into sliding scale clinics or out-of-network reimbursement options.
Coming Soon:
- Printable comparison chart of treatment types
- Insurance benefits tracker worksheet (to help you document what your plan covers and what to ask insurance reps)
- Questions to ask during your first appointment
- Personal stories from people who tried each treatment path
- Medication 101: A plain-language guide to types, safety, and how to talk to your provider
- Printable comparison chart of treatment types
- Insurance benefits tracker worksheet
- Questions to ask during your first appointment
- Personal stories from people who tried each treatment path
- Medication 101: A plain-language guide to types, safety, and how to talk to your provider
- Printable comparison chart of treatment types
- Insurance benefits tracker worksheet
- Questions to ask during your first appointment
- Personal stories from people who tried each treatment path
