Psychotherapy encompasses a broad range of procedures designed to treat psychological problems such as anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Specifically, the term suggests some form of interaction between the individual suffering the disorder and a trained, licensed psychologist or therapist.
How Psychotherapy Works
Psychotherapy sessions largely involve the therapist and individual talking through psychological problems to better understand and confront them. It is for this reason that psychotherapy is sometimes referred to as talk therapy. During the sessions, the patient will discuss various parts of his or her life, particularly those associated with his or her particular psychological problem. During the discussion, it is the job of the therapist to help the individual gain insight into the causes behind the stress, fear or depression felt by the individual. Assisting the patient in changing behaviors, stress management or other positive forces of change is another important goal of the therapist.
Is Psychotherapy Effective?
It's a well-known fact that talking out your problems with someone else can be a highly therapeutic and positive form of relief. While discussing such issues with a friend or loved one is helpful, seeking the assistance of a professional therapist often offers the expert insight necessary to overcome depression, anxiety and other psychological conditions. The National Institute for Mental Health estimates that more than 80 percent of individuals who suffer from depression-related disorders receive positive results from psychotherapy.
Do You Need Psychotherapy?
Only you can tell yourself if psychotherapy is worth pursuing. However, because nobody is 100 percent happy all the time, psychotherapy has the potential to be helpful to virtually anyone. Having said that, you are probably more likely to benefit from talk therapy if you:
- Are depressed or go through long-term stages of sadness and helplessness
- Suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, gripping fear or phobias that affect your daily life
- Find that your actions have become harmful to yourself and others
- Have emotional stress or other factors which seriously affect concentration and mood
- Are struggling to cope with highly stressful situations, such as a death, drug use, job loss or divorce
Types of Psychotherapy
It is important to understand that there are various types of psychotherapy. These include behavioral therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, psychoanalysis and rational emotive therapy. Be aware that some methods are better at treating certain disorders than others. If you find that a specific psychotherapy treatment is not working, then you may worth your while to pursue a different method.
