Psychotherapy, also known as psychological or talking therapy, is therapy focused on overcoming problems through psychological and personal interactions. Specifically, psychotherapy helps patients overcome mental illnesses, balance out emotional instability, and teaches coping mechanisms to handle trauma and the daily problems of life.
While psychotherapy is very popular, especially in the 21st century, the term isn’t very well known. In fact, many patients who seek counseling don’t even know the proper term for their therapists! We hope this page will provide a good overview of what psychotherapy entails:
What Does a Psychotherapy Session Look Like?
Psychotherapy sessions can be one on one, with a couple or family, or even a group of people coming in for treatment. Sessions are typically once a week, and are usually only a half hour to an hour long. During this time, the patient and their therapist openly discuss personal issues and challenges that the patient is dealing with in their life.
Psychotherapy is great for both adults and children alike, and can handle a wide range of problems. Many patients typically see a psychotherapist over a more ordinary counselor though for deeper rooted conditions, mental illnesses, and other psychological issues. As such, psychotherapy usually requires long-term treatment compared to more ordinary therapists.
What Kind of Illnesses to Psychotherapists Treat?
Psychotherapists require extensive, specialized training to become practicing therapists. This includes an undergraduate and doctoral degree, passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, and over 1,500 hours of supervised practice.
After they’ve obtained their certification, Psychotherapists are able to treat:
- Anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other common phobias.
- Addictions, including alcoholism, compulsive gamling, and other forms of drug and substance abuse.
- Sexual and inter-personal relationship discrders, including heightened sense of social anxiety.
- Schizophrenia, and similar disorders that cause either a detachment to reality or inability to fully understand common stimuli.
- Narcissism, borderline personality disorder, paranoia, and other personality based disorders.
How Will Psychotherapy Help Me?
Psychotherapy is great for those who suffer from mental illnesses, but it can benefit other patients as well. In general, psychotherapy teaches many coping skills that make handling the day to day challenges of life much easier.
Even regular patients who do not experience much stress in life report the following benefits from psychotherapy:
- Enhanced ability to resolve conflicts with partners, work acquentiences, and loved ones.
- Improvised coping mechanisms to handle major and unexpected life changes.
- Increased patience for daily challenges at work, on the road, and at home.
- Finding it easier to destress at night, leading to longer and more relaxing sleep.
- A better understanding of sexual relationsihps, leading to deeper relationships.
Schedule a Consultation With South County Psychiatry:
Psychotherapy is one of the treatment services we are proud to offer.Through psychotherapy, we have helped many patients in Rhode island and our neighboring states overcome depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and other common mental disorders. We believe in personal treatment designed to help you overcome your unique life challenges.
If you want to learn more about how psychotherapy can improve your life, contact us to get in touch today!