What is psychotherapy?

Millions of people have found help changing some aspect of their life through psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling. Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor. The professional helps individuals gain insight into their feelings, change behaviors, resolve problems, or learn how to deal with feelings like stress, grief, loss, fear, and sadness through conversations with the therapist. Talk therapy is sometimes combined with homework assignments between sessions. Therapy can be held one-on-one, with couples, families, or even in groups.

How can psychotherapy help?

From time-to-time, we all experience situations where we can benefit from the assistance of a trained professional. Psychotherapy is helpful when there are significant life changes, decisions that need to be made, and difficulties at home or work. Talk therapy is also a helpful treatment for serious problems that interfere with day-to-day life, such as physical or mental illness.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one third of adults in the United States experience an emotional or substance abuse problem for which they need help. Also, nearly 25% of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety. Therapy is a helpful treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and other emotional difficulties either alone, or in combination with medication.

The National Mental Health Association suggests psychotherapy for people when:

They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.

Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day-to-day. For example, they are unable to concentrate on assignments and their job performance suffers as a result.

Their actions are harmful to themselves or to others. For instance, they drink too much alcohol, become overly aggressive or hurt themselves physically or by risk-taking behaviors.

They are troubled by emotional or medical difficulties facing family members or close friends.

They are having problems with interpersonal relationships.

Talk therapy brings concrete results for many people.

Research has shown that emotional and physical health are closely linked, and that therapy can improve a person's overall health.

Therapy has been shown to effectively decrease depression and anxiety, and related symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and nausea. More than 80% of people with depressive disorders improve when they receive appropriate treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Psychotherapy has also been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body's immune system.

What happens in the first visits?

During your first visits, the mental health professional will want to get to know you and find out why you are interested in counseling. The therapist will want to know about your life, what you do, where you live, with whom you live, and what you think the problem is. It is also common to be asked about your family and friends. The therapist will also ask you about specific symptoms you might be having in order to rule out or confirm different kinds of problems. A review of any health problems, as well as all medications you are using will be part of the assessment. Important aspects of your history will be covered. This information helps the professional assess your situation and develop a plan for treatment. This initial assessment can take from one to several sessions.

Rocky Hill To Climb
Giant's Causeway, Ireland
Catherine S. Weber, 2007

What happens next?

Psychotherapy is an active collaboration between therapist and client. Each therapist will have a slightly different style, depending on training and personal qualities, and each client will bring their own unique set of qualities. The relationship that is developed between these two individuals will be a large factor in the success of the therapy. The work isn't always easy, so it is important for both to feel positive about working together after the initial assessment.

Assuming both decide to go forward, the therapist will discuss with the client recommendations for treatment. The recommendations will depend on the assessment that has been made. The amount of time likely to be needed to achieve a successful outcome will be discussed, although in actuality this is sometimes hard to predict as individuals work at very different paces. The kinds of approaches that might be used will also be discussed. For the most part, psychotherapy is a discussion, although there are different kinds of techniques that are recommended at times. Your therapist will talk about the approaches recommended and give you whatever opportunity you need to ask questions and feel comfortable before proceeding.

For more about psychotherapy and the problems that can be helped by it, see links below.

Catherine S. Weber, 2007