What is psychotherapy?

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy involves regular meetings or sessions with a psychotherapist who is trained to listen to you in a non-judgmental and empathetic way, and who can help you understand your thoughts and feelings in order to understand what the problems are and how they can be treated in a more constructive and positive way. It should not be confused with psychiatry, although some psychotherapists may have psychiatric training. Psychotherapists are usually trained in another discipline, which may include psychiatry, nursing, psychology, or social work, and have received advanced training in psychological and counseling techniques.

There is a current debate about the difference between counseling and psychotherapy with no clear definition between the two. At a simple level, someone may need counseling to deal with a specific crisis or situation in their life, such as a divorce, layoff, or other traumatic event. Counseling can help an individual feel better and more positive, improve self-confidence, and help a person regain control of their life. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, can help people deal with mental health problems that have developed over time or that require specialized help. As you can see, there is a lot of overlap between them.

What problems can psychotherapy help with?

Basically anything that causes emotional or psychological distress. For example:

* Anxiety and stress

* Panic attacks

*Depression

* Relationship problems

* Difficulty at work

* Eating disorders

* Alcohol and drug abuse

* Social exclusion

* Problems related to sexuality

* Post-traumatic stress disorder

* Personality disorder

* Victimization and abuse

* Phobias

* Obsessive-compulsive disorder

* Postnatal depression

How do I get referred for psychotherapy?

You may wish to speak to your doctor first as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action for you and your particular circumstances, or you may prefer to find a suitable therapist privately.

Current NICE guidelines recommend that someone suffering from a mental health problem should be offered therapy before resorting to medication. In the past, this was not always possible due to a general shortage of therapists in some areas, meaning doctors were often only left with the option of prescribing medication. However, the NHS in the UK plans to increase the number of therapists to make talking therapies more available on the NHS. Given recent reports that Prozac and other SSRIs are ineffective for some types of depression, psychotherapy will likely be one of the first options in any treatment plan for mild to moderate depression, as well as other types of mental health problems, in the future.

What different types of psychotherapy are there?

There are many different types of psychotherapy, so finding the right one for you can be daunting if you don't know the different options. In general, some of the most common approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and group therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT as it is sometimes called aims to transform the negative behavior patterns or ways of thinking that can be quite destructive into more positive ways of thinking in order to bring about a change in the way an individual perceives themselves around them and the world in general. By talking to a cognitive behavioral therapist about how you feel about yourself, your environment, and the people around you, and how your thinking influences your behavior, new ways to cope and deal with situations can be identified.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy

This type of therapy aims to reach the underlying reasons for an individual's psychological problems or suffering, which are often unconscious in nature. By understanding the causes, it is possible to reach a new level of awareness so that individuals can change their thought patterns and behavior and regain a sense of well-being.

Group therapy

Sometimes people suffering from similar issues and problems can benefit from group therapy sessions. The main benefit here is that someone undergoing group therapy does not feel alone. He is supported by others in the group who can understand what each person is going through. This can be a positive step towards getting healthy again.

Alternative practitioner psychotherapy

The best place to find alternative practitioners psychotherapy is in our free alternative practitioner directory. To view all alternative psychotherapy practitioners, please click here.