WHAT EXACTLY IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Although the term “psychotherapy” is familiar to most people not everyone understands exactly what psychotherapy is and how it works. So, a bit of a primer.
Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy and is used to help people manage a wide range of mental health conditions and emotional difficulties. Specifically, psychotherapy can help eliminate or control those symptoms that get in the way of a person’s day-to-day life. It also improves the overall sense of well-being and helps build a supportive environment for healing.
Are there different types of psychotherapy?
The short answer is yes, there are several types of psychotherapy. A therapist selects the best type or combination of types suited for each individual and their unique set of issues. The most common approaches include:
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short-term approach that is most often used to help individuals dealing with depression. IPT focuses on helping people learn healthy ways to express their emotions and improve their communication with others.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people recognize and change thinking and behaviour patterns that are getting in the way of living a health and emotionally rewarding life. CBT takes a real-world approach to managing emotional struggles by helping individuals go about their daily routines with a new sense of awareness and control.
- Dialectical behaviour therapy is a specific type of CBT that is often used to support people with chronic suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and PTSD.
- Psychoanalysis is often confused with the term psychotherapy but is, in fact, just one tool that a psychotherapist can use. An intensive form of what is known as psychodynamic therapy, psychoanalysis focuses on the influence of childhood experiences in the formation of harmful, repetitive thoughts or feelings that occur outside of an individual’s awareness (in their subconscious).
In addition to these approaches, psychotherapists often use additional therapies that might focus on working with animals, creative arts (including music), or play.
Does psychotherapy involve medication?
The use of medication in combination with psychotherapy is possible but depends heavily on the issues or difficulties that a person struggles with. In some cases, medication might be helpful while in others therapy alone is more effective. Psychotherapists do take a holistic approach to mental health and emotional issues, which means that they also rely heavily on eating properly, establishing health sleep patterns, and exercising regularly.
Does psychotherapy work?
Research by the American Psychological Association shows that about 75 percent of people who work with a psychotherapist report noticeable symptom relief, an improved sense of wellness, and function much better in their daily lives. Secondary benefits include fewer absences from work, fewer medical problems, and increased satisfaction with both work and life in general.
Can psychotherapy be combined with TMS?
Yes. In fact, a recent study from the Netherlands has shown that using a combination of psychotherapy and TMS is especially effective in treating clinical depression, one of the more treatment-resistant conditions. Combined therapy showed an almost 20 percent increase in remission rate than a single therapy alone. Common symptoms were reduced more effectively in dual-therapy treatment plans and, importantly, remission was significantly more stable at the end of the treatment for the dual-therapy patients.
The combined therapy approach has also shown to be effective in varying degrees for patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
To schedule a free 15 minute consultation with our psychotherapist, please call our front desk at 519-208-9991