2. What is psychotherapy?
A session will involve talking to a trained therapist, allowing
you to search deeply into your problems and worries. This
will either be as a one-to-one or in a group (for example your
wife, husband or partner may also attend a session with
you). Psychotherapy can help with a wide range of mental
disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.
The therapy normally involves talking through the problems,
but sometimes art, drama, music and movement can be
incorporated. This will help you to express your feelings
about other people, yourself or any worries that you may
have.
The therapy is confidential which means that you are able to
trust your therapist with things that may be embarrassing or
personal to you.
3. Who are psychotherapists?
A psychotherapist is a trained professional in listening to
people's problem and offering a solution. So, a
psychotherapist will listen and discuss important issues,
but they will also suggest solutions or guide you towards
resolving your problems. The main aim of a
psychotherapist is to help you change your attitude and
behaviour.
4. What can psychotherapy treat?
Psychotherapy can treat a range of mental health
conditions, such as:
anxiety disorder
depression
long-term illness
eating disorders (including binge eating, bulimia and
anorexia nervosa)
borderline personality disorder (BPD)
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
drugs misuse
5. What types of therapy are available?
(CBT) Cognitive behavioural therapy - a therapy that addresses maladaptive
behaviours and emotions, examining how beliefs and thoughts are linked to
behaviour. It gives you skills that will allow you to retrain your thinking and
behaviour when dealing with situations.
Psychodynamic - (also known as psychoanalytic) is a therapy that encourages
you to talk through your dreams and thoughts helping you to become aware
of any hidden patterns or meanings that may be causing your problem.
(CAT) Cognitive analytical therapy - works using some of the principles from
both cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic. It finds out how
behaviour can cause problems and in-turn how to improve this through
experimentation and self-help.
Humanistic therapy - helps you to take control of improving your own life.
(IPT) Interpersonal therapy - looks at how a problem can be triggered due to a
relationship, for instance bereavements or disputes. It helps you to cope by
developing coping strategies.
Family and marital therapy - having therapy sessions with other persons in
your family can help work to solve any problems that you may have.
