What is Psychotherapy?
In life, there are many situations when one can feel overwhelmed because of many circumstances. For instance, any kind of relationship problems, loss of anyone dear and near, loss of academic year or job, etc can have a serious negative impact on your health. In addition to that, this pandemic especially has made many people stuck into depression, anxiety, stress, and so on. Psychotherapy can help you get out of such a situation. Psychotherapy or talking therapy is similar to counseling.
It is a type of treatment to help people who are suffering from any kind of mental illness. In Psychotherapy, the therapist helps the patient to understand what they are going through and how they can overcome it. The Psychotherapist makes sure that the patient is comfortable sharing what is bothering him/her. Later on, the therapist recommends a treatment after understanding the patient’s problems. The therapy completely focuses on the patient’s needs, problems, and solutions.
What happens in the sessions?
What will the doctor ask you? Will they disclose your secrets? How will he respond if you share your worries and most importantly how can someone heal you only by taking – these are a few questions that arise in everyone’s mind. Well, each therapy session can be considered a problem-solving session. At the very beginning of a Psychotherapy session, the therapist asks the patient to share their problems and troubles. The patients describe their current situation, the worries, the fear, and all kinds of problems they are facing at that moment. Meanwhile, the patient must be honest with the therapist. The therapist takes notes of all the necessary events or problems of the patient’s life. If needed they may prescribe medicines too. Moreover, the problems and secrets of the client always remain a secret. Hence, the client never needs to worry about being judged by anyone.
Psychotherapy sessions are typically held once a week for 30 to 50 minutes. After each session, the therapist may give some homework to the patient. For instance, a journal where they can include their progress after attending the session. However, Psychotherapy sessions can be both short and long term and may take months or years. Although the healing process depends on their progress.
Main goals and benefits of Psychotherapy
For ages, there have been many stigmas and taboos regarding mental health. Thankfully, with time people have started to realize the importance of mental health and therapy. In this respect, Psychotherapy has become a great way for people suffering from mental health issues. At today’s date, millions of people are choosing Psychotherapy and expressing their relief. However, the advantages of Psychotherapy are-
- Help with Depression: One of the most common mental health conditions is depression. Death of someone close, any kind of loss or grief; the reason for depression can be many. Moreover, it may also lead a person to make worse decisions in life. Psychotherapy has proven to be a great help for individuals who are suffering from depression.
- Helps to fight Anxiety: Overthinking, stress can lead a person to face anxiety or panic attacks. People with anxiety find themselves on edge most of the time and that may lead to depression. Meanwhile, Psychotherapy helps these people provide the mental and emotional support to come out from their anxious phase.
- Helps solving Relationship issues: Psychotherapy also can help people with relationship issues. The professionals prefer to listen to the problems and focus on nurturing relationships. For this, they involve both couples and children.
Things to remember when you book your Psychotherapy session
Before you decide to visit a Psychotherapist there are few things that you must keep in mind. For instance, check his/her background, qualifications, and reviews. Along with that, you must be 100% honest with your therapist. Do not feel shy or embarrassed in talking about your trauma or problems. As therapy does not come for free, the best you can do is be honest with your therapist. This will help the therapist understand your difficulties as well as help you in the healing process. Similarly, while attending the session do not hesitate to ask questions. The main purpose of the therapy session is to bring you out from your problems and suffering. Therefore, ask as many questions as you want, the therapist is there to help you.
Types of Psychotherapy
Client-centered Therapy (PCT)
This therapy focuses on the personal growth and development of the patient. In this therapy session, the therapist allows the client to lead the conversation and listen to them without making any judgment. However, Unconditional Positive regard, Genuineness, and Empathy are the prime features of Client-centered Therapy. This approach can help those people suffering from anxiety, depression, abuse, stress, and other kinds of mental health issues.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
The CBT focuses on identifying that behavior that has been causing depression or another kind of trouble to the client. Later on, it helps in replacing those behaviors with more accurate thoughts. For instance, if a person is suffering from depression, CTB helps in identifying the sole reasons for it. Similarly, it can help a person focus on their current problems and find solutions to solve them.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
This treatment is used to treat people with suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, PTSD, and so on. Involving both individual and group therapy, DBT teaches new skills to the client. Those skills are taught to change previous unhealthy behaviors of the clients to improve their mental state. Many people may have questions like why to pay for therapy as they only “talk” to you. Whereas you can talk and take advice from a friend for free instead. Or when should one prefer to go for therapy and what happens there! Well, venting in front of your friend might help you feel relaxed for some time. But your condition needs a permanent solution and permanent relief. Moreover, a therapist tries to challenge the way you think and improves your way of thinking. Similarly, they have years of training and that is why they can give you the perfect solution you need. As mental illness is considered taboo; there is always a chance of getting judged when you share your problems with your friends.
