What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a collaborative process, grounded in dialogue, between a psychotherapist and a client, in a supportive, neutral and non-judgmental environment. When done by a skilled and experienced therapist working with a committed and actively participating client, it can be very beneficial in a variety of ways.

Psychotherapy can help with stress management, anxiety, adjustment issues, life transitions, depression, trauma, grief, sexual concerns, relationship problems, self-esteem, divorce - break up - separation, and many other issues.

Some issues can be handled within a very short period of time with solution focused approaches, for example. Other issues might require a longer journey, especially if they are long-standing and multilayered.

It takes courage, commitment, active participation and work for therapy to be successful. However, when it is successful, it can lead to a much more fulfilling, joyful, happy, peaceful, and relaxed life.

Here are some ways how psychotherapy can be helpful:

-Learning new coping strategies

-Identifying solutions to problems

-Adopting to life transitions (e.g., job loss, relocation, new baby)

-Better understanding of yourself and your patterns of behavior

-Improving relationships with spouses, significant others, family members, colleagues, coworkers, bosses, etc.

-Acquiring more effective communication skills

-Learning how to handle conflict

-Dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, worry, depression and other troublesome emotions

-Going through grief and loss in a healthy way

-Coping with with divorce, separation, break-up

-Strengthening self-esteem and confidence

-Developing assertiveness skills

Thankfully, therapy is more mainstream and accessible today than it’s ever been before, and it tends to carry less stigma than it used to in the past. Furthermore, thanks to advances in technology, teletherapy is easily accessible from anywhere these days - which is extremely convenient and can save a lot of time and money.

Do not hesitate to reach out for help! Whether you need longer term, more in-depth therapy; shorter solution-focused approach; a little quick “tune-up” once in a while; or just someone supportive to talk to in addition to (or in absence of) caring family members and friends, to vent or run your thoughts by, help is readily available. There is no need to struggle alone.