What Is Psychotherapy? Main Characteristics Of This Process
Psychotherapy is not a complex process, in which patient and therapist establish a relationship of trust, but always without losing track of what defines a professional context.
There are several aspects that define good psychotherapy, how long it should last, and its objectives. Below we will answer in depth the question of what is psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is treatment that aims to change in thoughts, beliefs, feelings and behaviors that may have generated discomfort and problems in the patient’s mental health This process is carried out between a professional, with the training and clinical skills necessary to facilitate psychological change, and the patient or client who has come to the consultation seeking help.
The psychologist listens to the patient’s suffering, difficulties, problems and doubts, encouraging the expression of what they have really experienced. Furthermore, with the psychologist’s work, words can be put to what the patient has experienced, making available different techniques, preferably scientifically validated, such as problem reformulation, open questions, situational exercises… All of these techniques can vary depending on the current of the psychologist, and may be cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, humanistic…
The main intention of the application of these techniques is achieve changes in the patient, creating new, healthier and more effective habits, which will allow them to increase their well-being This is achieved in the psychotherapeutic context by making the patient confront himself, his problems, virtues and defects, in addition to applying the techniques learned in consultation. The final goal of the process is to ensure that the patient achieves a happier, healthier and more productive life.
When is it necessary?
In popular culture, there are still many myths about psychotherapy, among which the one that stands out is that “going to a psychologist is for crazy people.” Also, going to a psychologist is seen as excessive for problems perceived as solvable from home or from a circle of acquaintances. Others may consider that they are perfectly fine and do not need the help of any mental health professional.
However, going to psychotherapy is always a good option, regardless of whether you suffer from a serious psychological problem or simply want to take greater control of your life. It is worth overcoming the fear of going to the psychologist especially if you take into account that, sometimes, you suffer because of something that has a relatively easy solution in the hands of a professional, such as momentary episodes of depression, anxiety or virulent attacks of anger.
Psychotherapy is also recommended for people who are suffering from a serious medical illness. Going to a psychotherapist is highly recommended in cases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, morbid obesity, terminal illnesses, loss of a limb, amyotrophic lateral atrophy (ALS), hearing and/or visual disability… Although going to a psychologist is not going to cure the disease, It will help the person accept the process, take a more optimistic and constructive view of their life or, if it is a chronic illness, learn strategies to be able to endure it.
Another reason why one can go to psychotherapy has nothing to do with psychopathology or medical illnesses, but with situations in which if proper help is not received, the health of those involved can be harmed, such as a divorce. , the departure of children, feeling overwhelmed in studies or work or the loss of a loved one.
Features of psychotherapy
These are the main characteristics that define psychotherapy, both related to the patient and the therapist
The most important characteristics of psychotherapy have to do with the establishing a solid therapeutic alliance between patient and therapist It is through this that we contribute to the creation of a warm atmosphere in which the patient is honest and explains everything that happens to him, in addition to bringing to light his irrational beliefs.
With this, the psychologist will try to develop strategies to change maladjusted behavior patterns, irrational fears, dysphoric emotions and dysfunctional ways of relating to others.
Treatment progression
As psychotherapy advances, the therapeutic alliance between the patient and the professional will continue to be forged. During this process the psychologist can carry out some evaluations, such as applying questionnaires, to get to know his patient more in depth Clinical psychologists are trained to administer and interpret tests of various types, such as personality and intelligence tests, as well as questionnaires to determine the degree of general distress, depression, anxiety and other psychological problems.
Once the patient has answered the tests, whatever they may be, the psychologist has objective information about him. From the results of these tests, a precise diagnosis can be made of what the patient’s problem is, in addition to knowing their personality traits, whether they are highly gifted or, on the contrary, suffer from some type of personality disorder or intellectual disability. . Based on all this information obtained, the psychologist can establish a script for how the treatment will progress.
In the first stage of the process, the psychologist will help the patient clarify the situation of his problem In addition, he or she will explain how the therapy will proceed, and how many times you will have to visit a doctor per week. This part of the process usually occurs in the first sessions which, depending on the tests administered and the complexity of the patient’s problem, can range from one session to three or four.
Once this stage is over, we move on to action, this is the solution to the problems. To do this, both patient and therapist will work together, although in an asymmetrical and professional relationship, given that the psychologist is the one who has the expert knowledge and knows what strategies should be applied. At this point in therapy, It’s about finding ways of thinking, behaving, and managing feelings that work for the patient to face the adversities of his life.
Throughout the sessions, the psychologist can ask the patient to do dramatization exercises of the new learned behaviors. It will also ask you to repeat them while you are at home or in the problem situation As the treatment progresses, the psychologist and the patient will observe whether or not there is a real process or if, otherwise, it is necessary to reformulate the original objectives.
When psychotherapy progresses appropriately, the patient acquires new skills that will make him see himself differently, in addition to having a more positive outlook on life. With treatment he will learn to distinguish between situations that he can change and situations that he cannot, applying what he has learned by trying to change the former and accepting the latter. Also You will acquire greater resilience, that is, deal better with challenges and adversities without having a whole series of dysfunctional thoughts that would increase your discomfort.
Confidentiality
In the profession of psychologist, confidentiality and respect for the patient’s privacy is fundamental, and is part of the profession’s code of ethics In fact, a clinical psychologist who violates patient confidentiality risks losing the ability to practice his profession. Taking this into account, patients should not worry about what they may say in a psychotherapeutic context, being able to speak with complete frankness and honesty about their most intimate thoughts and behaviors.
Although the patient should not fear that the psychologist will reveal their secrets, there are situations in which this confidentiality is broken but justified. Examples of this are when there is a court order in which psychological data is needed from one of those involved in a legal process, the patient has stated that he is going to commit suicide or harm third parties, or abuse or exploitation is being committed. or abandonment of children, elderly people or helpless people, such as severely disabled people.
Effectiveness of psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is known for being a conversational therapy, in which dialogue is essential for it to be carried out Knowing this, more than one person may have wondered why they should go to a psychologist when they have a group of friends and family with whom they can talk about their problems.
Psychologists are much more than just ordinary people to vent to. They are professionals who have expert knowledge, acquired over several years of training, to be able to understand people’s problems, in addition to finding a way to solve them and increase their well-being. Furthermore, there is scientific evidence that shows that psychotherapy is an effective treatment, and perfectly combinable with psychiatric treatments
Approximately 75% of people who undergo psychotherapy see some benefit as it progresses, usually between 6 and 12. Also, comparative studies have been done between those who go and those who do not go to a psychologist, with 80 % of people who have attended psychotherapy who feel much better at the end of treatment.
There are three factors that make a psychotherapeutic treatment work :
The end of the process
Although it is often thought that psychotherapy is a process that lasts years, this is not always the case. The duration of psychotherapy depends on several factors, such as the type of problem or disorder that the patient suffers from, their personality and cultural characteristics, history of psychological problems and treatments to which they have been subjected. The patient’s goals and expectations about therapy also play a role in addition to what happens beyond the consultation.
Although it is not recommended, for some, a single session is enough, feeling relieved immediately. It is not recommended to the extent that a single session is not enough to know, in depth, what the patient’s problem is like and if there has really been a significant and lasting improvement. Although it should be noted that At the first contact the patient can gain a new perspective and that the psychologist can provide you with ways to deal with situations.
Many find benefits after a few sessions, especially if it is a unique and well-defined problem, in which they have not waited long to act when it appeared. Other people and situations may require more time, such as one or two years, for truly lasting benefits to begin to be seen in the person’s level of well-being. This is what can happen with people who have suffered serious trauma or who have faced serious problems.
People with serious and chronic mental disorders may require psychotherapy indefinitely, accompanied by pharmacology and visits to a psychiatrist to evaluate if they suffer from any side effects of the medication. Regular psychotherapy sessions can provide the support necessary to maintain good daily functioning, despite suffering from a condition that, unfortunately, is often chronic.
Other people, despite having solved their problems, may continue going to psychotherapy. This may be because they continue to enjoy a better understanding of life, better well-being and feel that seeing a psychotherapist works better. Going to the psychologist, if you are well, should not be seen as looking for problems that we do not have, but rather as a way of making sure how well you are, like someone who goes to the doctor to get a check-up or who goes to the dentist to get a checkup. a dental cleaning.
