Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, is a process that involves talking with a trained therapist to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Unlike medication, which focuses on treating mental illness symptoms, talk therapy addresses the underlying causes of distress. Talk therapy teaches you new skills and coping mechanisms to help you manage your symptoms and reduce your distress. You may also gain insight into your thoughts and emotions, which can help you to make positive changes in your life. Talk therapy is an effective treatment for many mental health conditions and can be conducted in individual or group settings.