Everything you Need to Know About Psychotherapy
What is psychotherapy?
Sometimes simply known as therapy, psychotherapy is a form of treatment which involves two parties, that is, the therapist and you the patient. It can also be referred to as an interpersonal relation intervention by a highly trained individual (therapist) to assist in the problems that people face in their lives. Therapy can be used to treat numerous problems associated with emotions and mental disabilities. Mental disorders may include bipolar disorder.
The primary objective of psychotherapy is to do away or take charge of symptoms that are troubling the patient so that he can perform or live a better life. A sense of healing, conscious knowledge and happiness can be achieved through psychotherapy. A good psychotherapist must, therefore, be the one who can assist you with symptoms that are troubling you, help you in understanding your feelings, and contribute in altering or changing the behavioural patterns that are causing your illness.
Therefore, with successful therapy, a person’s thoughts, perceptions, beliefs, action, goals and moods can be changed for the better.
Who provides the required therapy?
A psychologist, a social worker, psychiatric nurse or a counsellor can be able to perform therapy services. However, your ability to be sincere and honest, to set your goals and to be serious with the process will contribute a great deal to the success of the therapy. You will work with the therapist on your issues even to a personal level if required. This is because therapies are confidential. Issues are limited to you and your therapist. Therefore, you ought not to feel ashamed instead talk openly and honestly about your concerns.
What is the cost of getting therapy?
The cost of therapy will always vary depending on the type you need and the therapist. Make sure that you choose one that will serve your best interest and also one that's within your budget. You can also inquire if payments will be made to any cancelled appointments. You should research on the therapists around your area, and see how much they charge so you can have options before you decide.
What type of psychotherapy will best suit you?
There is a broad range of therapies that can be used today. As a result, most therapists will try and involve all forms of therapy that he thinks will best tackle your problems. It is important not to forget that regardless of the type of therapy, certain aspects will always be considered. They include communication, collaboration, trust, goals, partnership, action and understanding. The treatments commonly used are cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
This type of therapy will concentrate on your actions and thoughts. It frequently examines how your perceived emotions are affected by your thoughts and how to change your reaction when faced with challenging situations. This therapy will work well when the patient is the one with the active role in the therapy session. Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy will assist you in knowing the important beliefs and distinct thoughts that influence emotions which are negative. You will be surprised to find out that some of these core beliefs and ideas do not make any sense. Furthermore, they are not true.
A good therapist will assist you in seeing that picture. Some of the thoughts may include: having an attached negative feeling (you are a loser), seeing things as bad or good, or that you are miserable among others. This will be in the cognitive phase of the therapy. You deal with your thoughts.
During the behavioural aspect, you will be required to take necessary steps that will set you on the journey to achieve your goals. The behavioural therapy will need a mind that is calm. For example, if you are suffering from depression, you are expected to undertake activities that will discourage it. For instance, engaging in hobbies or spending time with friends.
Interpersonal therapy
This type of therapy was initially for depression. It is goal focused and limited to a person’s roles, relationships and symptoms. It is focused on what is happening currently and assists you in ways that you can change instead of focusing on understanding on your actions and the generated reactions. Previous relationships will be evaluated together with the current. You and your therapist will be role taking during the session.
This type of therapy will not focus on your dreams, emotions or thoughts. It will be based on your social adjustment, an action that is outward and a conscious state. Its main objective is to assist you to learn new ideas that will minimise your symptoms rather than trying to change your personality. An interpersonal therapist will solely be focused on your wellness journey. He does not assign tasks like the cognitive behavioural therapist but, rather, he encourages you to carry out certain activities that will be of help to your symptoms.
Psychodynamic therapy
A type of therapy based on your childhood. It relates behavioural patterns and emotional disorders with your childhood experiences, relationships, thoughts and psychological feelings. It tries to determine the link between your current situation and your childhood experience. Your therapist will, therefore, try to understand your old patterns and how you can change that to take control of your life.
Before the therapy / how to get started on your therapy
You will be required to come up with a list of concerns which you feel needs to be addressed. These issues you will present to the therapist in your first appointment. Among others, they might include relationships or family problems, changes in your eating or sleeping habits, depression, negative thoughts which you frequently have, troubling feelings, anxiety, irritability, and anger problems.
The therapy
During the first days of your therapy, you will be doing most of the talking. This will assist the therapist in having a picture of what you are going through. You will tell your therapist on why you thought therapy was the best option and what your expectations of the same are. Have goals, both short term and long term, at the beginning of your therapy. Your therapist will assist you in coming up with them.
Having done all that, your therapist will communicate to you on the length of the therapy and when to start expecting changes in your life.
How to know whether you are making progress
After a while, go back to your list of problems and establish whether the goals you've set at the beginning are close or near fulfilment. It is therefore crucial that you keep track of your feelings and how you relate to challenging situations. Your therapist will assist you in reviewing your progress. As overnight improvement with yourself is not guaranteed, change will be expected after some sessions. A little change like a difference in your thinking and feelings will be good to go by. During the therapy, you will learn how to manage mental illness like depression and bipolar disorder.
If you feel that you are not making progress with the therapy sessions, you have the choice of seeking other alternative therapy or mental treatment. Just like any other sickness, you can always consult another doctor. At the end of the day, in order to truly feel better, you have to get the best treatment. You may appear hideous for the first 3 to 4 days and will appear absolutely best after 4 to si6 months or even after year of therapy.
