Psychotherapy involves the use of talk, conducted and guided by a professional in the field. The purpose of psychotherapy is wide-ranging and depends on the condition(s) being treated and the goals of the treatment. Psychotherapy can address troublesome thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and functional problems that may arise from these issues.
Psychotherapy has been proven effective for most mental health conditions. There are many types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic and interpersonal therapy. The types used may depend on the problems and goals for treatments, and very often, a mix of therapy types are used together.
One of the key aspects of psychotherapy is the relationship between therapist and client. A strong bond is associated with better outcomes. A solid therapeutic alliance is important for exploring both present and past experiences and concerns. Psychotherapy is like a journey: you can go as far and as deeply as you want, or you may prefer short-term, focused work.
Psychotherapy can be successfully combined with other types of treatment, including medications. And it does not have to take forever! In some cases, a course of 6-12 sessions of weekly therapy can successfully meet the treatment goals. Other cases may take much longer, and in many instances, can be utilized off and on as needed and determined between the therapist and the client.
The quality of therapist training and education can make a huge difference in therapy outcomes. We are very fortunate to have a team of outstanding therapist clinicians here at the NeuroPsych Center of Greater Cincinnati.
