Given the wide array of processes and procedures commonly referred to as “psychotherapy,” coming up with a short, accurate definition for the word can be difficult in the least.
However, psychotherapy can be described as a process focused on helping people overcome emotional and psychological issues as well as discover constructive methods to deal with life’s challenges by using the communication and trust established between a client and a professional counselor.
Therapy can also provide you with assistance if you’re going through a challenging life transition or facing a time of frequent anxiety and stress, such as when going through a separation or divorce, beginning a new career, or dealing with the loss of someone you love.
Most psychotherapy tends to be goal-oriented and is dedicated to resolving the particular problems that cause you to seek professional help. At the beginning of therapy, you and your therapist will talk about the particular adjustments you’d like to create, determine the goals for treatment, and break these objectives down into more readily achievable milestones allowing you to track your progress.
Accomplishing therapeutic goals and objectives is accomplished through honest interaction and by using techniques your therapist will provide so that you can navigate the obstacles you’re going through. Your psychotherapist will also recommend resources and help you acquire techniques that will help you surmount new obstacles in your life long after therapy is completed.
How is psychotherapy different from discussing your problems?
While most psychotherapy focuses on the communication and relationship created between a client and a therapist, successful therapy requires far more than only talking about your problems.
Family and friends may be able to help you feel better from time to time, and some may even provide helpful advice for you to consider, however, these interactions do not constitute psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a strictly professional relationship between you and your therapist that is different from other relationships in a couple of important ways.
The nature of the psychotherapy relationship
As stated, the relationship between you and a therapist is purely professional. The client-therapist relationship exists specifically for your benefit in order for you to accomplish the objectives you specify at the beginning of therapy. Your therapist expects nothing from you in return for their services besides payment for their time.
This is an important point and the defining factor between the therapy relationship and all other relationships. You can tell your therapist almost anything without worrying about offending them, about them telling someone else, or about having what you say affect your relationships or career in any way.
A second significant distinction between your relationship with your therapist and your relationships with other people is that your therapist will rarely, if ever, share their opinions with you in order for you to feel as relaxed as possible and do not alter how you talk about yourself.
The nature of therapeutic communication
Unlike friends, family members, and colleagues, psychotherapists are trained to understand what you say, what you don’t say, and in what ways you do or don’t express yourself. Your therapist will be aware of your body language, intonation, and other cues to completely understand your thoughts, feelings, and ability to communicate.
Therapists have received lengthy education and training to help them understand the specific problems you’re facing. They are familiar with the symptoms of psychological disorders and well-versed in helping people navigate and overcome the difficulties and stresses of daily life.
Therapists also know what questions to ask in order to help you open up and honestly express yourself, and your therapist will likely pose some questions you’ve never heard before. To reiterate, the communication between you and your therapist will not be equal. Therapists will rarely reveal their personal opinions on issues such as politics or religion.
Who can benefit from psychotherapy?
It is not uncommon for psychotherapy to be recommended whenever a person is struggling with a relationship, career, or life issue or a specific emotional concern that causes emotional discomfort or pain that lasts more than a couple of weeks.
As with any norm, you will find exceptions, but for the most part there is little to no problem attending therapy even if you aren’t positive it will help. Millions of people seek the help and support of therapists each year, and for the most part research shows that individuals who do so find therapy beneficial. Furthermore, most psychotherapists will honestly tell you if they believe you won’t benefit from therapy.
Psychotherapy is most successful when you begin the process on your own initiative and have a substantial urge to bring about the change you seek. If you don’t wish to change, change will probably be slow to appear if it comes at all.
Producing change means modifying the behaviors and beliefs that no longer serve your best interests. As therapy is about challenging one’s beliefs about the way the world functions, you should always keep your mind open and be prepared to try new things.
If you’re ready to seek professional help and do the work needed for therapy to be effective, psychotherapy can help you create positive, lasting change in your life and be amongst the best investments you’ll ever make.
Learn more about psychotherapy and therapy by visiting Pamela Levy’s website: http://www.pamelalevymft.com/.
