What is Psychological Therapy?
Psychotherapy is a type of collaborative treatment that is based on a relationship between an individual and a therapist/ counsellor. Grounded in open communication it gives you an environment that is supportive in which you can openly talk with someone who in neutral and non-judgmental. Together, you and the therapist work to recognise and alter the behaviour and thought patterns that are preventing you from feeling your best.
A counsellor uses psychotherapy to help people of any age work through their problems in order to live a healthier, happier, and more productive life. This is done by using a scientifically validated procedure, which includes CBT, interpersonal, and other types of talk therapy, to help people create more effective healthier behaviours and habits.
After you have completed therapy, you’ll not only have worked through the problem that initially brought you in, but you will have developed new skills that will allow you to better cope with future challenges.
Should You Consider Psychotherapy?
Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about psychotherapy, which may make you hesitant to try it. In fact, you may be nervous about trying therapy even if you know the realities of it. You will benefit from overcoming this nervousness. Anytime you are unhappy with your quality of life, psychotherapy can help you.
Some people try psychotherapy because of depression, anger, or anxiety. Others seek help for dealing with a chronic illness that is compromising their emotional or physical well-being. Then, there are others who look to psychotherapy when trying to deal with a short-term problem, such as facing an empty nest, going through a divorce, grieving over the death of a loved one, or feeling overwhelmed with stress.
Here are several signs that you might benefit from psychotherapy:
- Despite your own efforts and help from others, your problems aren’t getting any better.
- You are feeling overwhelmed with a sense of sadness and hopelessness.
- You constantly worry, feel on edge, or expect the worst.
- You struggle to carry out everyday activities and work assignments.
- Your behaviours, such as drinking, taking drugs, or acting aggressively, are harmful to you or others.
A Look at the Different Types of Psychotherapy
There are various approaches to psychotherapy, which most counsellors draw from. These approaches help the counsellor understand their clients and their problems to develop a solution. The type of treatments you receive is based on several factors, including current psychological research, your counsellor’s preferred theoretical orientation, and what will work best for your situation.
Your counsellor’s theoretical perspective affects how he or she runs their practice. For example, counsellors who utilise CBT have a practical approach to treatment. They may ask you to take on certain tasks intended to help you foster more effective coping skills or give you reading assignments intended to help you learn more about a topic. Typically, this will include homework assignments. This may include gathering additional information, such as recording your reactions to various situations. Your counsellor may also ask you to practice new skills. For example, if you struggle with a fear of heights, they may ask you to practice climbing a flight of stairs.
On the other hand, a counsellor who takes a psychoanalytic and humanistic approach to therapy focuses less on talking and more on doing. Your sessions may concentrate on discussing your past experiences to help both of you better comprehend the root cause of your current issues.
Counsellors may combine elements from various styles of psychotherapy. The truth is that most counsellors don’t limit themselves to just one approach. Instead, they combine different elements to tailor the treatment to their client’s specific needs.
The important thing to remember is that your counsellor should have expertise in the area you are struggling so that he or she will be able to help you.
Michelle Rockey
