| Psychotherapy | |
|
In Psychotherapy we endeavour to find the underlying cause of behavioural and emotional issues and find ways to deal with them. Psychotherapy is a method of talking with a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or professional counsellor. Many forms of psychotherapy can help people having difficulty in life, those who wish to make some kind of change in their personal or professional life, or people suffering from depression, anxiety, phobias or other serious health problems. Therapy can be held in one-on-one sessions, family or couple sessions,
or in a group led by a trained counsellor. Different therapists
use many different approaches depending on their training, the type
of problem and the client’s needs. |
|
| Family Therapy or Couples Therapy | |
|
In therapy, interpersonal relationships shared among family members are examined and communication is strengthened. If a family member suffers from depression, the roles played by various family members in reinforcing the depression often are examined. Group Therapy In group therapy, a small group of people meet regularly to discuss individual issues and help each other with problems with the guidance of a trained therapist. |
|
| Different Approaches to Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is not limited to a particular type or technique.
Medication may be used with psychotherapy. For many people, this is the best approach to treatment. People with moderate-to-severe depression typically do best with a combination of antidepressants and some form of psychotherapy. |
The following are some common types of therapy including:
|
|
Behavioural therapists help patients learn how to get more satisfaction and rewards through their own actions and how to unlearn the behavioural patterns that contribute to, or result from, their problems. |
|
| Cognitive therapy seeks to identify and correct thinking patterns that can lead to troublesome feelings and behaviours. Beliefs and expectations are explored to identify how they shape a person's experiences. If a thought or belief is too rigid and causes problems, the therapist helps the client to modify his or her belief so that it is less extreme. |
|
| Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) helps a person to recognize his or her own negative thought patterns and behaviours and to replace them with positive ones. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is the most popular and commonly used therapy for the treatment of depression. A major aim of CBT is to reduce anxiety and depression by eliminating beliefs or behaviours that help to maintain problematic emotions. Cognitive-behavioural therapy may be conducted individually or in a group. There is evidence that the beneficial effects of CBT last longer than those of medication for people with panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress syndrome and social phobia. |
|
| Gestault is based on two ideas. In contrast to psychotherapy approaches which look at the unknown and even unknowable, gestalt therapists look at the here and now of living. The other idea is that we are caught in a web of relationship with all things. It is only possible to truly know ourselves, as we exist in relation to other things. Behind this idea is the conviction that studying, describing and observing what is in this moment lets us fully understand ourselves. |
|
| Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short-term therapy often used to treat depression. This treatment approach focuses on an individual's social relationships and how to improve social support. IPT therapy seeks to improve a person's relationship skills, working on communication more effectively, expressing emotions appropriately and being properly assertive in social and work situations. In depression, IPT helps patients learn how to deal more effectively with others to reduce conflict and gain support from family and friends. It is usually conducted, like cognitive-behavioural therapy, on an individual basis but also can be used in a group therapy setting. |
|
| These methods include the use of movement, art or music to express emotions. This type of therapy is effective for those who have difficulty expressing feelings. |
|
| People who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that is related to the change of the seasons within their geographic location, may benefit from bright light phototherapy. Phototherapy uses special light bulbs, which are much brighter than ordinary lights and made for this purpose. A physician or therapist instructs the patient in how to use these high-intensity lights to improve symptoms of seasonal depression. |
|
| Also called psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy, this type of treatment helps a person look inside themselves to discover and understand emotional conflicts that may be contributing to emotional problems. The therapist helps the client identify and recognize unconscious motivations, unresolved problems from childhood and early patterns to resolve issues and to become aware of how those motivations influence present actions and feelings. This is a lengthy process, often taking several years. There are different types of psychoanalysis, each with a different focus. Freudian psychoanalysis has been criticized because of its tendency to create long-term dependent relationships between the therapist and the client. Other types of psychoanalytically oriented therapy have become popular, such as Jungian therapy. Jungian therapy sessions focus more on the immediate situation and life problems than on the root of the problem to help individuals develop greater self-realization. |
|
Psychoanalysis
and Hypnotherapy combined are often referred to as Psychotherapy.
Family
therapy includes discussion and problem-solving sessions with members
of a family. Some sessions are done as a group, in couples, or one
on one. Family or couples therapy is helpful when one of the family
member's physical or mental health is directly affecting family
dynamics or the well-being of significant relationships.
Many
therapists are trained in several different approaches. They then
combine techniques from these various approaches that fit their
own style and personality and the needs of the patient.
Behaviour
therapy, also called behaviour modification or behaviourism, sets
up rewards and punishments to change thinking patterns and shape
behaviour. Behavioural therapy can involve relaxation training,
stress management, biofeedback and desensitisations of phobias.