Psychotherapy – what it is and why you should be interested in it

Psychotherapy is not a shame! Many people mistakenly think that going to a psychotherapist is something to be shunned, not to be admitted. However, this is a mistake, because in such a context we are primarily talking about treatment that helps deal with various problems both related to interpersonal relationships and mental health. Many people are unable to deal with their own thoughts, emotions or behaviors on their own, which can become tiresome. With help, however, comes the aforementioned psychotherapy and the treating physician, who – using various psychological techniques – knows how to help the patient. What else is worth knowing about this type of treatment? Is it worth turning to a therapist for advice? Why is it worth taking an interest in psychotherapy?

Who is a psychotherapist?

When seeking help in dealing with emotions, thoughts or various behaviors, patients rely primarily on trust in the therapist. In Poland, there are basically three professions that can help in such situations. First, there is the psychologist, or a graduate of a five-year master’s degree in psychology. A psychologist diagnoses, gives opinions, provides support and advice. Nevertheless, he is not referred to as a doctor and cannot prescribe any medication to his patients.

A psychotherapist, on the other hand, is a person who, simply put, conducts psychotherapy. His meetings with patients are based mainly on different methods of treatment and – above all – on a therapeutic approach to a specific problem. This is a person who has completed a university degree in psychotherapy, lasting four to five years. Psychotherapists are properly certified to prove their knowledge and authorize them to conduct therapy.

Another equally important profession is the psychiatrist. This is a doctor who has completed a university degree and a specialty. His help proves indispensable for, among other things, bipolar affective disorder, personality disorders, anxiety, insomnia, depression and the like. He also has the ability to prescribe drugs for drug therapy.

What is psychotherapy?

In the simplest terms, psychotherapy is a treatment that is based on relationships and conversations between a psychotherapist and a patient. It is an open conversation with someone who looks at the whole situation from the side, so to speak. In this way, he can assess the matter objectively, neutrally, without judging his patient.

During psychotherapy, both parties work to identify the source of the problems and change thinking and behavior. In this way, the patient can feel better, acquire new skills and see the world from a completely different and better perspective.

Who needs psychotherapy?

There is still a lot of talk that psychotherapy is for people – colloquially speaking – of unsound mind. However, this is sheer nonsense. First of all, this form of treatment helps us to improve our quality of life. Mainly people who struggle with the following symptoms qualify for this type of therapy:

• aggression;
• problem with emotions;
• excessive worrying;
• expecting the worst;
• consumption of large amounts of alcohol;
• insomnia;
• drug use;
• difficulty concentrating;
• problems;
• depression;
• feelings of helplessness and overwhelm.

A psychotherapist who provides therapy with patients can help deal with these and other problems. He can listen and give professional advice, and help find the cause of such mental health.

Types of psychotherapy

In the main, each psychotherapy is based on various accepted treatment techniques. First and foremost, each type deals with the assumption that insight into the patient’s mind and thoughts is a major factor in the success of therapy, and that focusing on unconscious conflicts, especially those repeated in the patient’s stories, can be important to the source of problems. Many types of psychotherapy are currently being mentioned, which work on the basis of various psychodynamic theories with elements of the language of cognitive psychology.

Addiction therapy

One type of psychotherapy is, of course, addiction therapy, which we may encounter most often. It is primarily aimed at helping patients quit alcohol, drugs or excessive shopping. This type of treatment is simply meant to free the addict from the factors that have enslaved him.

Addiction therapy relies on a variety of treatment techniques and methods. Some patients receive mainly drug treatment, while others receive only treatment in the form of regular meetings with a therapist. Treatment in the form of detox may also be implemented. Especially this form applies to people who are addicted to psychoactive substances. Therapy focuses on training the patient’s skills, psychoeducation, teaching the patient new attitudes and problem solving. It can be either individual or group psychotherapy.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psych otherapy is a very interesting trend, which says that a person’s behavior is the result of what drives him from within, some mechanisms, hidden needs. It assumes that the patient confides literally everything he or she wants. In this way, the therapist gets to know the person I’m working with and helps him achieve what he wants. He also picks up on impulses and neurotic symptoms based on the patient’s behavior.

Usually psychodynamic psychotherapy lasts for a long time, but exactly how many meetings there will be depends on the problem and the patient’s progress during therapy. Mainly, it helps treat personality disorders, aggression, feelings of unhappiness and morbid shyness. It also repeatedly proves effective for addictions.

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is one of the most popular and actually the best researched, in terms of its effectiveness, therapies known in modern medicine. It professes the belief that a patient’s disorders are related to learned responses to a variety of stimuli. The aim of such therapy is primarily to teach the patient new behaviors and to change his way of thinking, to move away from old and incorrect reactions. This therapy is an educational approach, so to speak. Most often it lasts from about ten to sixteen hours of sessions.

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is mainly suitable for treating anxiety and depression, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders and eating disorders.

Gestalt psychotherapy

Gestaltpsychotherapy believes in the complexity of human mechanisms. It is designed to increase a person’s consciousness, and is aimed at deriving joy and happiness from life. It shows how individual problems can be solved only with one’s own abilities and inner strength. It shows how to awaken, so to speak, dormant harmony and reveals the truth about oneself. It also helps eliminate all individual stereotypes that can contribute to life limitations and mental problems.

This therapy can last from one year even to several years. It is therefore a complex process. It is aimed at people who want to better understand themselves and thus get rid of limitations and internal conflicts. It is very rarely used to treat addiction.

Psychotherapy Gdynia

The realization that we need help for personality disorders, depression, failure to cope with emotions or addictions is the first step towards success. The second, however, is to find a good psychotherapist to help us deal with everything that ails us. This should be an experienced person, able to listen and using proven techniques to combat all disorders. Psychotherapy office in Gdynia is a place where we can find professional staff and get help to get our lives back on track, no matter what ails us and what symptoms we have. So let’s choose a psychotherapist who will listen to us, advise us and cure us effectively.