Why Psychotherapy?
People seek psychotherapeutic treatment, also known as talk therapy, for many reasons. Some of these reasons include wanting to work through feelings of anxiety, depression, stress, grief/loss, trauma, addiction, relationship issues, family issues, adjusting to life changes, and many other reasons. The American Psychological Association (APA) says that therapists apply scientifically validated methods to help people develop healthier, more effective habits, and therapy provides a supportive environment that allows the client to talk openly with someone who is objective, neutral and nonjudgmental. Much like visiting a doctor’s office for relief from uncomfortable physical symptoms, visiting a psychotherapist’s office helps with the relief of emotional symptoms, both of which are important in good total overall health.
What is Psychotherapy?
How Psychotherapy Works:
Visiting a psychotherapist can feel a little daunting, especially if it is for the first time. When you visit a psychotherapist, you will describe what has brought you to therapy and the emotional symptoms you are experiencing. The therapist will work with you to establish goals that you will work on both inside and outside of the sessions. These goals are aimed at symptom reduction/elimination. Something to keep in mind while undergoing treatment is that psychotherapy is a process. While there can be breakthroughs where the client may experience a great deal of relief in a very short period of time, therapy often takes place over the course of several sessions.
How will I know if it is working?
I encourage my clients to use a 1 – 10 scale where the client would make a mental note of how good they feel (emotionally) on a 1 – 10 scale with 1 being very poor and 10 being blissful. I ask them to take a measurement at the beginning of treatment and then to take measurements periodically as treatment progresses in order to gauge for themselves whether the overall trend is positive. It is possible that there may be times during treatment where the client can feel worse. This is normal, but it is important that the overall trend is positive.
How long will I need to attend therapy?
Everyone has different issues they are working on in therapy, so a timeframe for one person will be different for someone else. It may take as little as a few weeks, or it may take longer. Once goals are established at the onset of treatment, you will have a better idea of how long it will take you to accomplish those goals. The speed and the effectiveness of therapy depend greatly on how willing you are to work on your goals outside of the therapy sessions and not just during therapy sessions themselves.
How often do I need to attend?
Typically, clients should attend weekly sessions. There are certain circumstances where a different schedule may be deemed necessary, but generally weekly sessions are ideal for allowing the client time to process what was worked on in the previous session and yet not too long from the prior session causing the next session to be about catching up on what has happened with the client since the prior session rather than doing any actual therapeutic work within the session.
What can I expect from treatment?
After working through your goals, you should expect symptom reduction/elimination. You should also expect to feel much higher on the 1 – 10 scale than you did at the onset of treatment. It is also common to experience a sense of freedom and empowerment.
Who Should Seek Psychotherapeutic Treatment?
Individuals, couples, families, and groups who are interested in working on goals toward achieving improved emotional health are ideal candidates for treatment.
Where and When Does Psychotherapy Take Place?
Most psychotherapists have a private office, and the sessions typically take place there in the therapist’s private practice at a date/time that is mutually agreed upon. However, sessions may also take place via telephone or via a secure video conferencing platform.
What is the Difference Between a Psychotherapist (also Known as a Therapist or a Counselor) and a Psychiatrist?
A psychotherapist uses talk therapy to help the patient work through various issues. This typically involves teaching the patient new coping methods or communication techniques, for example. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and can prescribe medication for mental disorders.
Does Admitting I Need Therapy Mean I am Weak or Crazy?
No. Mainstream media and human pride are among the many things that have dramatized what goes on in a psychotherapy session. Something to think about: It is impossible to go through life without a single physical health ailment (common cold, flu, etc.). These kinds of physical illnesses are natural and quite normal. The same is true for your mental and emotional health, which means there will be times in your life when you feel a little under the weather, mentally or emotionally. This is also natural and quite normal. However, you do not need to continue to suffer from it. Psychotherapy can help with this.