What is psychotherapy?
There are many different types of psychotherapy. They are
all ways of helping people to overcome emotional problems,
relationship difficulties or self-defeating behaviours. What
they have in common is that they are all treatments based
on talking to another person and sometimes doing things together.
The person carrying out the therapy is usually called a therapist;
the person being seen is usually referred to as the client.
What actually happens?
Psychotherapy usually involves regular meetings at the same
time, same place every week. What happens during a session
is usually considered confidential to the people in that session.
In individual psychotherapy one client and one therapist talk
together in a quiet room, usually for 50 minutes or so.
What is the difference
between psychotherapy and counselling?
There is no agreed definition for either 'counselling' or
'psychotherapy', and, in practice, they tend to overlap. Counselling
may focus on a particular issue or life transition, such as
substance abuse or bereavement. Psychotherapy may focus on
deeper changes in someone's personality, the way they relate
to themselves and to others. Whereas counselling may be more
problem-focused, many people engage in psychotherapy to discover
more about themselves and to live life in a more rewarding
way.
How do people
use psychotherapy sessions?
People use psychotherapy to address many different issues,
such as:
 |
Understanding and relieving anxiety and
depression |
|
Developing insight and self-awareness |
|
Examining reasons why they feel bad about themselves |
|
Examining patterns that they have noticed in their
lives |
|
Helping to cope with bereavement or another major
life change |
|
Talking about difficult aspects of relationships |
|
Working through feelings of anger, isolation or emptiness |
|
Discussing workplace problems such as stress and conflict |
|
Developing a greater ability to learn, love, work,
or express emotion |
|
Relieving pervasive feelings of meaninglessness, emptiness,
and isolation |
|
Developing a greater sense of control over their own
life |
|
Freeing up an overly controlled life dominated by
ritual and obsession |
Don’t you need to be mentally
ill or very depressed to have psychotherapy?
No. It’s true some people turn to therapy in times of
crisis. However, other people come to therapy saying things
like: “I feel stuck in my life” or “Something’s
wrong, but I don’t know what it is”. What can
be valuable in therapy is the opportunity to express yourself
to someone who is separate from the rest of your life, who
won’t be overwhelmed or shocked by what you say, and
won’t start telling you what to do.
Can psychotherapy solve all my problems?
No. Psychotherapy is not a magic wand that can make all the
difficulties of life disappear. However, psychotherapy can
help you understand yourself, your relationships and how you
deal with the world. This helps you to cope with losses, resolve
conflicts and address the difficulties of life - as well as
its joys.
How do I choose a psychotherapist?
The most important issue is whether there is a personal fit
between you and the therapist. How did you feel when you were
with them? Did they seem motivated to understand you? How
open were they to your questions? Is this someone you would
be willing to talk to about yourself?
If you think you would like to see a particular therapist,
you can safeguard yourself by finding out the following from
them:
|
What training have they had? Was it with
a reputable training institute? |
|
Do they have regular supervision of their work? It
is important for therapists to have the quality of their
work checked by colleagues. |
|
Have they had personal therapy themselves? |
|
Are they properly insured? |
What will the first session be like?
One aspect of the first session may involve you asking the
questions above, and finding out anything else you want to
know. Another aspect will be you exploring what you are looking
for from psychotherapy. The therapist will also make an assessment
of whether the work they offer is appropriate to your needs.
Do I have to lie on a couch?
No. Although some psychotherapists work with clients lying
on a couch, most face-to-face work is literally that, with
therapist and client seated opposite each other.
How many sessions will I need?
That is very much up to you. Some people come to work on a
single issue, and finish when they feel they have done enough
work on that. Others come for a set period of time, anything
from 6 sessions only to six months. Others come on an open-ended
basis, without a clear end point in sight for most of the
work.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. What you say remains private and between therapist and
client, in accordance with the therapist’s professional
ethics. There are certain rare circumstances where a therapist
might release some information to prevent serious harm to
an individual, for example, where a client became suicidal.
There are some legal limits to confidentiality, such as under
the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989, and in a court of law,
where a therapist may be required to answer questions about
a client.
Will I get hooked on therapy?
In all relationships or periods of personal change there may
be times when people feel dependent or vulnerable. It is part
of the therapist’s responsibility to respect and attend
to that, and to support the client in becoming more self-sufficient.
The ultimate focus of the therapy will always be to support
the client in relating to other people and the world in a
way that feels safe and appropriate for them.
Where can I find out more?
There are many books, newspaper articles and web sites on
psychotherapy and mental health. You will find a selection
at
Further Information
What is the difference between a psychotherapist,
a counsellor, a psychiatrist, and a psychologist?
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists are usually highly trained in one particular
type of therapy. They have an in depth knowledge of that therapy
(e.g. psychodynamic), but are often not overly familiar with
other forms.
UK
Professional Body: United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
Counsellor
These people are usually trained within one particular form
of therapy. That is usually person-centred counselling, but
not always. They will have been trained in counselling skills
and will possess a counselling qualification.
UK Professional
Body: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Psychiatrist
These are medically trained Doctors who have chosen to specialise
in treating mental disorders. They are the only ones qualified
to prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists have undergone
extra training in therapy and offer similar services to psychologists
or psychotherapists.
UK Professional
Body: Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychologist
Anyone who has obtained a Psychology degree is entitled to
call themselves a Psychologist. However, there are many different
kinds of Psychologist, and the people who are qualified to
offer therapy are usually called Clinical Psychologists or
Counselling Psychologists. They are usually trained in a variety
of different therapies and are in a good position to assess
you for the type of therapy you might need, and often are
able to provide it.
UK
Professional Body: British Psychological Society
Could medication help me?
Whether or not to take medication, such as anti-depressants,
is a very personal choice. Some people find that, in times
of crisis, medication helps them use psychotherapy more effectively.
If you are unsure, you could discuss it with your medical
practitioner. There is a wide range of health and medication
information at
NHS
Direct.
You may also find these articles helpful:
A better pill to swallow [Read
Article]
Certain antidepressants can be far more effective than others
Oliver James
The Observer
Sunday February 2, 2003
From pill to post [Read
Article]
Drug companies pay for their own research. So how can it be
unbiased?
Oliver James
The Observer
Sunday February 23, 2003
Am I Depressed? Should I take
Anti-Depressants?
Does psychotherapy work?
Although psychotherapy is a difficult thing to measure and
quantify, there is more and more evidence that is does work.
Therapy beats pills if you are miserable
[Read
Article]
Ben Summerskill, society editor
The Observer
Sunday December 3, 2000
What will therapy be like?
For many people, psychotherapy is a very new process, different
to anything they have experienced before. The only way to
really find out what it is like is to try it. This newness
and unfamiliarity can make people understandably apprehensive
and anxious when they first start seeing a therapist. This
should ease over time.
Can I get psychotherapy on the NHS?
Psychotherapy is available on the NHS, although there can
be quite a long waiting period before a client gets to see
a therapist – ask your medical practitioner.
Why should I see a psychotherapist when
I can just talk to my friends?
There are times when the sharing and understanding of a good
friend may be just what you need. However when the degree
of emotional pain and the severity of symptoms suggest a problem
of greater depth, then your pain, anger or confusion may be
too painful for a friend to listen to without judgement. Even
the best of friends may want you to cheer up or to not go
on about the same thing for too long. But sometimes it is
important to not cheer up and to keep going on until things
are really understood. That is when you may need the help
of a professional listener.
Can I finish therapy whenever I want?
Yes, you can certainly finish therapy anytime you want. I agree with the client that when they want to finish therapy, that they return for a final session so that the therapy can be closed in a safe and appropriate manner.
Is therapy the only way I can move forward
in my life?
No, people have all sorts of experiences in life that change
them and help them move forward. These include romantic relationships,
parenthood, education and religious experience. Psychotherapy
offers a further opportunity for change. It has the advantage
that it:
