What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is conducted by a mental health therapist and is aimed at helping individuals who suffer from a wide range of mental illnesses and emotional problems. Psychotherapy helps individuals who face difficulties in coping with everyday routine activities, suffer from post-traumatic stress, stress arising from an existing chronic health disease, loss of a loved one, violence or domestic abuse, or specific mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders etc.

There are several different types of psychotherapy, and it has been concluded through a series of research methods that some methods work better than others. As a part of counselling psychology and clinical psychology therapy is a very important aspect used in combination with medication. This combination of therapy and medication can play a pivoting role in eliminating and controlling symptoms that can restore a healthy level of functioning of an individual and promote wellness and healing.

How are therapy sessions conducted?

Therapy is generally conducted in an individual, couple, group or family setting. Therapy isn’t age specific and can benefit both children and adults. Sessions are held depending on how severe the problem is. However, on an average, sessions are held once a week for approximately 50 minutes. The therapist and the patient both are actively involved in each therapy session and the therapist builds a rapport with the patient based on trust and empathy which is essential for therapy to be effective and beneficial.

Psychotherapy can either be short-term that deals with crisis issues and matters that need immediate attention or long-term that deals with complex and longstanding problems. The treatment plan and course are collaboratively decided by the patient and therapist.

One of the main requirements of psychotherapy is confidentiality. Confidentiality and trust are the foundation on which the relationship is built that fosters a safe environment for the patient to share their thoughts, feelings, emotions.