What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is broadly defined as the treatment of mental and emotional disorders or problems. Psychotherapy involves a process, a relationship between a patient/client and a therapist. The therapist is usually someone trained to:
Therapy sessions are usually 45 to 50 minutes in length, one or more times per week. The number of sessions depends on the types of difficulties experienced by the client---symptomatic relief can often be achieved in a few sessions, longer and more lasting changes in negative behavior patterns might take a year or longer, and depth life issues might require several years to overcome.
Many different goals have been identified by psychotherapist, such as:
Developing insight into problems
Learning to communicate more effectively
Learning to resolve both internal and interpersonal conflicts
Managing, reducing or relieving symptoms of emotional distress
Changing behaviors to improve social, relational or vocational functioning
Personal growth and development
Reconstructing a life damaged by faulty early life experiences
Many different kinds of personal and interpersonal difficulties can be relieved through psychotherapy.
A few general guidelines for those new to treatment with a psychotherapist: Some psychological symptoms may be rooted in a physical problem, such as a tumor or problem with circulation. Before or early in therapy, also see a medical doctor to rule out any organic source for the problem being experienced. (A note for Leigh: one of the symptoms of a thyroid disease is depression. Certain medications can also cause psychological symptoms, as well.)
Therapy often has an early "honeymoon" effect of symptom relief. While this seems positive, do not stop treatment before addressing the sources of the problems, or they may soon return or be replaced by other difficulties.
Like house remodeling, taking apart things that haven't worked well in one's life often makes them seem worse before they get better. When therapy seems difficult or painful, don't give up--discuss your feelings and reactions honestly with your therapist and you will move forward rather that retreat back to your old, less effective ways.