Psychotherapy, known as the 'talking cure,' is said to be good for whatever ails you. People facing all sorts of challenges seek out assistance from therapists who can bring some clarity to what seems like confusion. Challenges like breaking bad habits, diffusing depression, reducing anxiety, losing weight, improving relationships, and enhancing self-knowledge are all fodder for therapy. It use to be that only the rich could afford the classic 'patient on the couch' therapy. However, therapy is readily available just for the seeking. And the good news is, psychotherapy is for the healthy, not the sick.
Psychotherapy is a process of self discovery that begins with a safe and accepting relationship between an individual and a professional therapist. Psychiatrist Jerome Frank believes that "patients see psychotherapy as a sanctuary; and a conceptual framework that, in addition to providing an explanation for the patient's behavior, offers hope that the treatment will relieve the suffering." Karen G. Langer, a senior psychologist and clinical assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine, emphasizes that "there needs to be a sense of trust and empathy and a willingness to understand the patient's experience in order to help guide him or her toward making wise decisions."
According to psychotherapist Frank Pittman III, the therapist's role is to help the patient (1) define the problem; (2) figure out what normal people might do under the same circumstances; (3) expose whatever keeps the patient from doing the sensible thing; and (4) find the courage to do what needs to be done.
The therapist is usually trained in a specific therapeutic technique and often uses a number of different ones to assist the 'patient.' The types of professional therapists include the psychiatrist, trained as a medical doctor and can prescribe drugs; the psychoanalyst, a psychiatrist or psychologist who has undergone personal analysis; the psychologist, has a doctorate in some related field of psychology; the clinical social worker, has at least a master's degree; the marriage and family therapist, has a master's degree; a pastoral counselor, has had training in mental health; and the licensed professional counselor, has at least a master's degree and are licensed by the state. (Licensing varies from state to state.) There are also a number of people who conduct psychotherapy put their shingle out but are not professionally trained.
The types of therapeutic techniques are numerous. Psychiatrist T. Byram Karasu of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine once kept track of new therapies as they emerged and gave up counting when he reached 400, citing that there are as many therapies as there are patients. Some of the more traditional therapies include psychoanalysis which is based on the work of Sigmund Freud who's considered the father of psychotherapy; psychodynamics which focuses on a specific problem; cognitive therapy which focuses on changing the way you think about events and situations; behavioral therapy which focuses on symptoms and actions; interpersonal therapy which focuses on improving social skills; marriage and family therapy which focuses on relationships within the family; group therapy which focuses on interactions within a group setting; and short term therapy which focuses on a very specific problem. The number of sessions will depend on what you want to accomplish and the techniques that are used.
Today psychotherapy is much more accepted as a tool for dealing with life's problems than it has been in the past and than it is in other countries. In a U.S. News & World Report poll, conducted in 1993, 81 percent of respondents agreed that going to a therapist for personal problems would be helpful "sometimes" or "all the time."
More than 16 million Americans seek mental health treatment each year, while another 24 million who could also benefit from therapy never seek help. Although many people don't seek out professional assistance, there's a growing interest in self-improvement. The self-improvement era is indeed upon us. Just go to any bookstore and look in the self-help section. There are hundreds of audiotape programs, weekend retreats, and week-long intensives. Television and radio talk show hosts often play therapist and engage in psychobabble with their guests. At least a handful of psychotherapists host their own shows. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 15 million people in the United States participate in self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
When looking for a therapist, get referrals from people you trust, like friends, healthcare providers, clergy, the Human Resources Department at work, or the local Mental Health Association. Call each referral and briefly explain what you're looking for to determine if there's a preliminary match. If the response is positive, ask about fees [ranging from $50 to $150] and set up an initial appointment. When you meet with the therapist, be prepared. Take with you in writing what you consider your situation to be and what you want to accomplish. [Paul G. Quinnell outlines a very specific process in the April 1989 issue of Psychology Today that's worth reviewing.] Ask the therapist specifically if he or she can help you in this area. Check out how comfortable you feel speaking with this person. Do you like their tone of voice? Are they respectful in their comments to you? Do they seem to have understanding and good ideas? Are you willing to tell them anything they might need to know about yourself? Do you trust this person? If you're gut responds negatively in any way, then you need to interview another therapist. Use this same process until you find someone you feel comfortable with. Remember that you're interviewing the therapist to determine if they can assist you. Make sure the times of day the therapist is available will work in your schedule and that the location is convenient. If you can't afford a private therapist, check out the therapists at your local mental health center. Use the same interview process.
Researchers in all of the therapeutic treatments have repeatedly shown that clients with diverse problems can receive benefit from psychotherapy, although everyone might not receive benefit at the same level. Benefits are derived from resolution of whatever the presenting problem was initially. Here are some that have been reported:
People who seek therapy often feel they have no control over themselves or what's going on around them. So, feeling more in control of life comes from getting to know yourself better, including acknowledging and accepting your desires, fears, needs, and passions.
Learning how to express feelings appropriately and communicate more effectively are two closely related benefits of therapy, particularly since talking and expressing oneself is a requirement. Often during the therapy sessions, the 'patient' or the client will be asked, "how do you feel about..." The therapist can suggest how to convey feelings to others in a respect manner while still being heard. You learn how differing points of view can be adequately expressed. If you learn how to communicate more effectively with one person, the skills can transfer to other relationships.
Often we want to change habits or change our way of thinking, but have much difficulty doing so by ourselves. So we may seek out therapy to understand the underlying problem associated with a bothersome habit or negative viewpoint. We may also want to learn specific techniques for changing the habit and thought patterns. Some of us do better when we know we have to report in on our progress.
Therapy helps clients relieve their anxieties and reduce stress. Often stress-reduction techniques are suggested and taught by the therapist. When stress is reduced, physical health improves and there are fewer visits to doctors. This is significant since 80 to 90 percent of all visits to medical treatment providers are stress-related.
When we're confused, we tend to blow everything out of proportion. We have difficulty keeping situations and thoughts in perspective. Therapy can help us get a grip on reality and keep a more realistic perspective on the situation. We learn to cope with the present situation and others that will arise by keeping the bigger picture in mind.
When we are able to work out emotional issues and resolve internal and external conflicts, our work performance improves. We're able to think more clearly, be more decisive, and respond appropriately to routine and emergency situations.
Through therapy, we can learn about the value of our talents and skills. We can come to understand that we are worthy regardless of what we've done in the past or what we have or have not accomplished. Going through the therapeutic process helps to increase self esteem on many levels.
If you're prone to emotional distresses, your therapist can teach you specific techniques that can improve your ability to cope with depression and anxiety.
Because therapy can help us understand reasons for our thoughts, feelings, and actions and help us deal with them in appropriate ways, violence and abuse are reduced in our communities. People can learn to talk through their concerns rather than act out their anger violently.
There's an appropriate therapy and therapist for anyone who seeks help in dealing with life's perplexities. How you'll benefit from therapy depends on your willingness to look at yourself in a different way and to answer hard, sometimes even seemingly impossible questions. The greater your investment of time, energy, and emotion, the more benefit you'll derive from the process.
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