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A Psychotherapist Offers Helpful Treatment Options

By Harriett Crosby


The role of a psychotherapist is to help cure individuals who are afflicted with specific mental or emotional conditions. In other cases, such individuals teach the aforementioned patients to successfully manage their lives regardless of their disorder or condition. The primary objective is to assist clients to maintain a high quality of life. In addition, the therapy typically involves helping the person to reach a balanced and positive mental state. The majority of psychotherapy programs revolve around behavioral therapy and counseling, and center on effective communication regarding feelings and ideas.

Certain psychotherapists attempt to create more efficient communication channels between themselves and their patience who find verbal expression challenging. When this is the case, nonverbal communication methods are often used. In most clinical practices, basic plans center on two types of therapy: cognitive behavioral techniques and psychodynamics.

Reputable therapists with the appropriate skills typically aim to evaluate the psychological issues of their clients and tailor the therapy to those needs. They understand that subconscious resistance must be broken down in order for the patient to experience the full benefits of the therapy. When the client learns to change his or her behaviors and thought patterns, he or she can work on becoming whole.

Psychotherapy addresses a broad range of emotional conditions and mental illnesses. These include bipolar disorder, panic attacks, irrational fears and phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress syndrome, depression, and schizophrenia. Treatment of this kind may also benefit those diagnosed with a condition called borderline personality disorder.

It is important for patients to realize that a solitary session is not sufficient to resolve all their problems. In order to fully benefit from psychotherapy, a minimum of 12 sessions are typically required. This is due to the fact that the client must open up to the therapist if anything is to change, and this does not usually happen during the first or second visit.

Even though the time frame will vary from one patient to the next, before major beneficial results are noted, most individuals require approximately 20 sessions. If there is no major change after approximately 20 appointments, more expensive therapy may be indicated, or a person may require medication. Most practitioners will make additional recommendations if traditional techniques do not offer the appropriate results.

The facet of psychotherapy that focuses on behavior and habits frequently calls for the patient to participate in exercises, both at home between sessions and in the office of the practitioner. Examples of such exercises are relaxing activities such as breathing techniques or visualization. Emotional disorders must be faced a little at a time in order to help the patient to gain freedom from the issues that are interfering with his or her ability to live a positive, happy life.

When the patient starts feeling more balanced and positive with regard to his or her life, the psychotherapist will likely recommend that the appointments commence. This, of course, will vary substantially from one person to another based on each client's individual circumstances. In the future, if the person experiences a relapse, a few treatment sessions are generally helpful in order to get him or her back on track. Those feeling beset by mental or emotional issues are wise to pursue professional help immediately.




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