How long has psychotherapy been around for?

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Psychotherapeutic practices existed in many cultures around the world long before the development of a more scientific approach to healing the mind was developed in Europe in the nineteenth century.

 

German philosopher Wilhelm Wundt opened the first laboratory devoted to scientific psychology in 1879. Within a decade, Sigmund Freud began using hypnosis and talking therapy for people with nervous and brain disorders.

 

Throughout the twentieth century, thanks to the work of practitioners and researchers including Carl Jung, Melanie Klein, Carl Rogers, John Bowlby and many more, psychotherapy developed in many different directions. Numerous new types of therapy and psychotherapeutic modalities were explored.

 

Today, we use many different approaches which have been influenced by the history of the profession and those who have contributed to it.

 

Psychotherapy has deeply influenced education, politics, business, the arts, and other areas of public life. The questions it poses and insights it offers into our thoughts, emotions, memories, and identities are as relevant today as they have ever been.

 

What can psychotherapy help with?

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You don’t need to be in crisis or have a diagnosed mental illness to have psychotherapy. It can help you with emotional or mental health problems, including:

 

• anxiety feeling like you can’t cope

• problems dealing with stress or recovering from stressful situations

• lack of confidence or extreme shyness

• coping with the effects of abuse

• feelings of depression, sadness, grief or emptiness

• extreme mood swings

• difficulty making or sustaining relationships, or repeatedly becoming involved in unsatisfying or destructive relationships

• sexual problems

• difficulties coming to terms with losses such as bereavement, divorce or unemployment

• eating disorders

• self-harm

• obsessive behaviour

• panic attacks and phobias

 

How will psychotherapy help me?

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Psychotherapy recognises the lasting impact of trauma. This is when stressful events that you experience or witness make you feel unsafe, helpless or vulnerable. You’ll work with a therapist to think about what has happened to you, not what is wrong with you. The focus is on compassion listening and understanding rather than making a diagnosis.

 

Psychotherapy can be a powerful, life-changing experience which can help you to improve your mental health, overcome social or emotional challenges, and fulfil your potential. A trained psychotherapist can support you to:

 

express your feelings and process them in a safe and supportive relationship gain deeper insight into the issues you face talk about things in a confidential environment that you might not feel be able to discuss with anyone else find better ways to cope with feelings and fears change the way you think and behave to improve your mental and emotional wellbeing improve relationships in your life, including with yourself make sense of any clinical diagnoses you have had by understanding what has happened to you heal from trauma learn to communicate better and tolerate differences in yourself and others.

 

What happens in psychotherapy sessions?

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The idea is for you to have the opportunity to explore the issue or concern you want to work on with your therapist. Different therapists will support you to do this in different ways. Some will support you to talk generally about your feelings, behaviours and thoughts and others will have specific exercises to do this. They won’t tell you what to do but will listen and may ask questions which can help you to see things in a new light.

 

This might feel difficult to begin with. But your therapist is there to support you to open up and guide the process. Together, you’ll look at the relationships with people in your life, as well as the one you have with each other and with yourself. You might find yourself crying, getting upset or angry. This can feel unsettling and intense but your therapist is trained to help you process and cope with the emotions that come u

 

Is therapy right for me?

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people choose to have therapy. Sometimes they want to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it’s in response to unexpected life changes, such as a divorce or work transitions. Many seek the advice and counsel as they pursue personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, body-image issues, conflict, grief, stress management and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting more out of life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change.

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I can usually handle my problems. Do I really need therapy?

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Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated many difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. Having enough self-awareness to realize when you need a helping hand, is to be admired. By taking responsibility and accepting where you’re at in life, you’re making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools, you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome the challenges you face.

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What is therapy like?

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Every therapy session is unique and caters to an individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

• Real strategies for enacting positive change

• Self-compassion, respect and understanding

• Perspectives to illuminate negative patterns & feelings

• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance 

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How will therapy help me?

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Several benefits can emerge from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be tremendously helpful in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on difficult problems or point you in the direction of a solution. The help you obtain from therapy depends on how well you use the process and practice what you learn. Some of the benefits can include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

• Developing skills for improving your relationships

• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Better management of powerful emotions such as anger, grief and depression

• Improving communications and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

 

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

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In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your Doctor you can determine what’s best for you. It is well established that mental and emotional problems, and the pain they cause, cannot be solved solely by medication in the long-term. Instead of treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

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Is therapy confidential?

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In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.

• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

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What  are the benefits of on-line therapy?

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A few years ago, to undergo therapy, it was necessary for the patient and the psychologist to be together in the same room, usually at a private practice or a psychological clinic. Both parties agree to see each other at the scheduled location to hold the session. While traditional counseling has not lost its streak, online therapy has started to gain ground, becoming more and more accessible and acknowledged by the general public.

 

You may have noticed how the majority of your chores or tasks can be accomplished online, including grocery shopping, paying the bills, wiring money, or order takeout. Before the Internet, however, you had to leave the house if you wanted to eat something. Today, you can order almost any dish through a food app! Before you had to take a bus and walk to a specific destination, now, just call an Uber from your smartphone! Many services can be done without leaving your home, and psychology is not far behind in following this technological leap!

 

Nowadays, with online therapy, you can carry out your psychological monitoring without leaving your home using only a computer or smartphone connected to the Internet. This type of mental health therapy is the same as traditional therapy, the way it’s broadcasted in the only difference. The psychologist schedules weekly sessions that last around 50 minutes; it could be more or less depending on the patient’s needs. So, as long as you have a stable internet connection, microphone and camera you are good to go.

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 A few benefits are:

 

1. Time Saver

If you have already undergone psychological counselling traditionally, you may have noticed that between going and coming from the therapists’ office, you’re spending a great deal of time on the road. You need to be at the clinic before the session starts. And for that, you’re spending time in traffic and overall commuting.

With online therapy, you don’t have to travel long distances. Just schedule the best time for you and your online therapist, and that’s it! At the appointed time, each party needs to connect to the Internet to get started with the session!

 

2. Comfort

This is a significant benefit! For the therapy to flow effectively, it is necessary for the patient to feel at ease in their environment. And for that, there’s nothing more comfortable than being in the place where you want to be! Whether at home, on a trip, in your office, you can easily carry out your psychological counselling productively.

 

3. Confidentiality

Nobody will need to know that you are undergoing psychological therapy because, with online care, you can carry out the sessions from any location of your choosing without anyone knowing your business.

 

4. Cost-Effectiveness

When performing online mental health therapy, you leave aside expenses like gasoline, subway money, bus, or taxi. Since you can do therapy from anywhere, you don’t need to move around to get to a clinic in time!

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5. Greater Resourcefulness

According to a study on the efficacy of online therapy, at-home counselling has not only proven to be clinically efficacious, but patients feel more comfortable talking through the computer screen and smartphone than in person. This makes therapy much more beneficial, taking into account that most patients have greater resourcefulness and courage to talk about things that they would typically shy away from face to face.

 

6. No Travel Restrictions

If you like to travel or need to travel a lot because of work, online therapy is a great option! You do not need to be in a single city to carry out the sessions. Instead, you can adapt your travel times to do your therapy without having to reschedule the session or cancel it because of your trip. It’s a great option, especially if you can’t stay in one place for too long and always switching therapists is not an option.

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