Therapy vs. Medication

When talking about the difference between medication and therapy, I like to explain it like this: imagine you want to lose weight. Therapy is like going to the gym. You can go work out, but you also have to make changes to your lifestyle such as changing your diet. In therapy, you come perhaps once a week and during the rest of the week, you implement the work and techniques taught to you in your daily life. This helps to create a holistic long-lasting change. Medication, on the other hand, is like having a medical procedure. The results may be quicker, however, you still need to develop the correct skills to help keep up the benefits. For many clients, one or the other option may be more beneficial. However, for other individuals, a combination of therapy and medication may be required.