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What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a valuable tool for treating mental health disorders. Read on to learn more about how it can help.

What Does Psychotherapy Mean?

Simply defined, psychotherapy is treating mental illness through psychological interventions instead of medical treatments. Often called “talk therapy,” psychotherapy usually involves meeting with a therapist for one-on-one meetings, or perhaps participating in group therapy with a therapist and several peers.

A therapist will work with the patient in order to understand their unique problem, then devise strategies for them to overcome the symptoms or mental health conditions and hopefully find some relief. Psychotherapy can employ different tactics to help patients with their struggles as well.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy and Mental Health

Psychotherapy is a valuable tool in mental health therapy for many people, and it’s widely recommended for many conditions as well. Meeting with a psychotherapist can help patients manage the symptoms of their mental illness, encourage personal growth, and give them a place to voice their concerns and feel heard.

This article will break down exactly what psychotherapy interventions are capable of, who exactly they can benefit, and explain practice as a whole.

Psychotherapy vs. Counseling

Psychotherapy and counseling are similar forms of mental therapy. The primary difference is in the length of time patients see a therapist versus a counselor. Psychotherapists typically see their patients for extended periods of time, while counseling primarily consists of brief interventions to deal with specific symptoms.

What Psychotherapy Can Help With

Psychotherapy is a time-tested tool for dealing with a variety of mental disorders. Many types of psychotherapy have been shown to help people manage the symptoms of:

Who Could Benefit From Psychotherapy?

Different types of psychotherapy typically target different mental illnesses, and some people respond better to psychotherapy than others. It’s not for everyone, but it can drastically help many people overcome and cope with their struggles or troubles.

In addition, psychotherapy can also help people who don’t have a mental disorder but might be struggling in other areas of their lives. A psychotherapist can be a valuable tool for people who are experiencing relationship troubles, need help reaching their personal goals, or are experiencing the negative effects of grief or loss.

Ultimately, the goals for psychotherapy depend on the patient themselves, and the psychotherapist can tell them whether they think they can help.

Types of Psychotherapy

Several types of psychotherapy techniques exist. Some types of mental health therapy are most effective at treating specific disorders, and some can treat a wide variety of difficulties.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is likely the most well-known and highly regarded form of psychotherapy. Originally developed as a psychological therapy for depression, cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on recognizing the thoughts and behaviors that can hold you back from achieving your goals.

A cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist can teach you to identify maladaptive thoughts, challenge them, and introduce new ways of thinking. With practice, it’s possible to change your automatic thought patterns, resulting in positive mental health outcomes and changes in behavior and outlook.1

Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical-behavior therapy is an adaptation of cognitive-behavioral therapy. First designed to treat borderline personality disorder, a disorder that previously was resistant to all other types of treatment, DBT is now used to treat ailments such as anxiety and stress.2

DBT shares the same core principles as CBT but incorporates the additional, essential elements of mindfulness and acceptance.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy is a relatively new mental therapy, originally developed to treat depression. In interpersonal psychotherapy, the focus is on the practical connection between a patient’s mood and their personal life.

For example, somebody experiencing anxiety may have recently experienced a loss. The therapist would then help the person process the loss with the expectation that the anxiety would be relieved when they have successfully overcome their grief.3

Psychoanalysis Therapy

Psychoanalysis was one of the first codified forms of psychotherapy. Developed by Sigmund Freud, this form of therapy focuses on the unconscious mind. Freud believed that by bringing unconscious thoughts and beliefs to light, people would feel relief from their problems.

Psychotherapy Benefits and Effectiveness

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can have several benefits. Foremost, there is a simple healing power for many patients in talking to people about their problems and doing so in a healthy way, a phenomenon that psychotherapists call catharsis. Simply sharing their struggles with somebody who is actively listening can relieve negative symptoms and provide substantial relief. 

Psychotherapy and Mental Illness

Psychotherapy is remarkably effective at helping people overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, and a variety of other disorders as well. Therapists have ways of helping cope with symptoms and side effects of many mental health disorders in many ways that the patients themselves may not know or understand. Getting help in this way is also extremely beneficial. 

In some cases, psychotherapy is enough for people to no longer meet the clinical criteria for their diagnosis and be able to use the techniques they’ve learned for the rest of their lives. For others, total remission isn’t possible, but they can still expect a higher quality of life and a substantial reduction in symptoms.4

Psychotherapy at Anew Treatment Center

Anew Treatment Center has several psychotherapy treatment options available. Finding a therapist that works for you or your loved ones and can help with your problems is as simple as reaching out and contacting us. Our team can help you get exactly the treatment you need.

Types of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy comes in all shapes and sizes and in several formats. These formats include:

  • Individual psychotherapy
  • Group psychotherapy
  • Family psychotherapy
  • Online psychotherapy

Deciding Which Method of Psychotherapy is Best for You

Choosing the mental health therapy that works for you depends on what you’re trying to treat specifically. 

People struggling to cope with the actions of a family member could benefit from family therapy, and those with interpersonal struggles may benefit the most from individual psychotherapy.

What You Can Expect in Your First Psychotherapy Session

Your first psychological therapy session is all about making sure you and your therapist are a good fit. Your psychotherapist may ask about what your goals are, what struggles you’re having, and your cultural or societal upbringing. In turn, you should ask any questions that you have about psychotherapy and try to determine whether this is a person you feel comfortable with.

How Much Does Psychotherapy Cost?

As with most things, it depends. Psychotherapy is often covered, at least partially, by medical insurance, but some people will have to pay out of pocket. The average cost of psychotherapy sessions is between $100 and $200 per session, depending on your therapist’s level of training and expertise.

Finding Help

When you’re ready to start treating your mental health symptoms, contact the team at Anew Treatment Center and get started on your path to recovery today. Our professional team can connect you with a trained psychotherapist who fits your unique needs. Don’t delay seeking treatment any longer — start Anew today.

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