What is Psychological Therapy?

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"Psychological therapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. therapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase well-being and healing".

 

Problems helped by these sessions include difficulties in coping with daily life; the impact of trauma, medical illness or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental disorders, like depression or anxiety. There are several different types of therapy and some types may work better with certain problems or issues. therapy may be used in combination with medication.

 

Therapy Sessions

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Therapy may be conducted in an individual, family, couple, or group setting, and can help both children and adults. Sessions are typically held once a week for about 40 to 50 minutes. Both patient and therapist need to be actively involved in therapy. The trust and relationship between a person and his/her therapist is essential to working together effectively and benefiting from therapy.

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Therapy can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years), dealing with longstanding and complex issues. The goals of treatment and arrangements for how often and how long to meet are planned jointly by the patient and therapist.

Confidentiality is a basic requirement of therapy. Also, although patients share personal feelings and thoughts, intimate physical contact with a therapist is never appropriate, acceptable, or useful.

 

Therapy and Medication

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Therapy is often used in combination with medication to treat mental health conditions. In some circumstances medication may be clearly useful and in others therapy may be the best option. For many people combined medication and therapy treatment is better than either alone. Healthy lifestyle improvements, such as good nutrition, regular exercise and adequate sleep, can be important in supporting recovery and overall wellness.

 

Does Therapy Work?

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Research shows that most people who receive therapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. About 75 percent of people who enter therapy show some benefit from it. 

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Therapy has been shown to improve emotions and behaviors and to be linked with positive changes in the brain and body. The benefits also include fewer sick days, less disability, fewer medical problems, and increased work satisfaction.

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With the use of brain imaging techniques researchers have been able to see changes in the brain after a person has undergone therapy. Numerous studies have identified brain changes in people with mental illness (including depression, panic disorder, PTSD and other conditions) as a result of undergoing therapy. In most cases the brain changes resulting from therapy were similar to changes resulting from medication. 

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To help get the most out of therapy, approach the therapy as a collaborative effort, be open and honest, and follow your agreed upon plan for treatment. Follow through with any assignments between sessions, such as writing in a journal or practicing what you’ve talked about.

 

Types of Therapy

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Clinical Psychologists and Psychologists use several types of therapy. The choice of therapy type depends on the patient’s particular illness and circumstances and his/her preference. Therapists may combine elements from different approaches to best meet the needs of the person receiving treatment.​

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