HOW THERAPY CAN HELP
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Millions of Americans have found relief from depression and other emotional difficulties through psychotherapy. Even so, some people find it hard to get started or stay in psychotherapy.
This brief question-and-answer guide provides some basic information to help individuals take advantage of outpatient (non-hospital) psychotherapy.
Why do people consider using psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a partnership between an individual and a professional such as a psychologist who is licensed and trained to help people understand their feelings and assist them with changing their behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-thirds of adults in the United States experience an emotional or substance abuse problem. Nearly 25 percent of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety.
People often consider psychotherapy, also known as therapy, under the following circumstances:
– They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.
– Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, they are unable to concentrate on assignments and their job performance suffers as a result.
– Their actions are harmful to themselves or others. For instance, they drink too much alcohol and become overly aggressive.
– They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.
Psychotherapy is a partnership between an individual and a professional such as a psychologist who is licensed and trained to help people understand their feelings and assist them with changing their behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-thirds of adults in the United States experience an emotional or substance abuse problem. Nearly 25 percent of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety.
People often consider psychotherapy, also known as therapy, under the following circumstances:
– They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.
– Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, they are unable to concentrate on assignments and their job performance suffers as a result.
– Their actions are harmful to themselves or others. For instance, they drink too much alcohol and become overly aggressive.
– They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.
What does research show about the effectiveness of psychotherapy?
Therapy effectively decreases patients’ depression, anxiety and related symptoms – such as pain, fatigue and nausea. Psychotherapy also has been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body’s immune system. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are very closely linked and that therapy can improve a person’s overall health status.
Most people who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than untreated individuals with emotional difficulties. One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions while 75 percent of individuals in therapy improved by the end of six months.
Therapy effectively decreases patients’ depression, anxiety and related symptoms – such as pain, fatigue and nausea. Psychotherapy also has been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body’s immune system. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are very closely linked and that therapy can improve a person’s overall health status.
Most people who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than untreated individuals with emotional difficulties. One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions while 75 percent of individuals in therapy improved by the end of six months.
How do I find a qualified therapist?
Selecting a therapist is a highly personal matter. A professional who works very well with one individual may not be a good choice for another person. There are several ways to get referrals to qualified therapists, such as licensed psychologists, including the following:
– Talk to family members and friends for their recommendations, especially if they have had a good experience with psychotherapy.
– Many state psychological associations, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, operate referral services which put individuals in touch with licensed and competent mental health care providers.
– Ask your primary care physician (or other health professional) for a referral. Tell the doctor what’s important to you in choosing a therapist so he or she can make appropriate suggestions.
– Look online or in the phone book for the listing of a local mental health association or community mental health center and check these sources for possible referrals.
Ideally, you will end up with more than one lead. Call and request the opportunity, either on the phone or in person, to ask the therapist some questions. You might want to inquire about his or her license and level of training, approach to psychotherapy, participation in insurance plans, and fees. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe you might interact well.
Selecting a therapist is a highly personal matter. A professional who works very well with one individual may not be a good choice for another person. There are several ways to get referrals to qualified therapists, such as licensed psychologists, including the following:
– Talk to family members and friends for their recommendations, especially if they have had a good experience with psychotherapy.
– Many state psychological associations, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, operate referral services which put individuals in touch with licensed and competent mental health care providers.
– Ask your primary care physician (or other health professional) for a referral. Tell the doctor what’s important to you in choosing a therapist so he or she can make appropriate suggestions.
– Look online or in the phone book for the listing of a local mental health association or community mental health center and check these sources for possible referrals.
Ideally, you will end up with more than one lead. Call and request the opportunity, either on the phone or in person, to ask the therapist some questions. You might want to inquire about his or her license and level of training, approach to psychotherapy, participation in insurance plans, and fees. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe you might interact well.
If I begin psychotherapy, how should I try
to gain the most from it?
There are many approaches to outpatient psychotherapy and various formats — including individual, group and family therapy. All psychotherapy is a two-way process that works especially well when patients and their therapists communicate openly. The outcome of psychotherapy is improved when the therapist and patient agree early about what the major problems are and how psychotherapy can help.
You and your therapist both have responsibilities in establishing and maintaining a good working relationship. Be clear with your therapist about your expectations and share any concerns that may arise. Psychotherapy works best when you attend all scheduled sessions and give some forethought to what you want to discuss during each one.
There are many approaches to outpatient psychotherapy and various formats — including individual, group and family therapy. All psychotherapy is a two-way process that works especially well when patients and their therapists communicate openly. The outcome of psychotherapy is improved when the therapist and patient agree early about what the major problems are and how psychotherapy can help.
You and your therapist both have responsibilities in establishing and maintaining a good working relationship. Be clear with your therapist about your expectations and share any concerns that may arise. Psychotherapy works best when you attend all scheduled sessions and give some forethought to what you want to discuss during each one.
How can I tell whether therapy is working well?
As you begin psychotherapy, you should establish clear goals with your therapist. Perhaps you want to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression. Or maybe you would like to control a fear that disrupts your daily life. Keep in mind that certain tasks require more time to accomplish than others.
After a few sessions, it’s a good sign if you feel the experience truly is a joint effort and that you and the therapist enjoy a good rapport. On the other hand, you should be open with your therapist if you find yourself feeling “stuck” or lacking direction once you’ve been in psychotherapy awhile.
Patients often feel a wide range of emotions during psychotherapy. When this happens, it can actually be a positive sign indicating that you are starting to explore your thoughts and behaviors. Spend time with your therapist periodically reviewing your progress. Success in reaching your primary goals should be a major factor in deciding when your psychotherapy should end.
Ideally, you will end up with more than one lead. Call and request the opportunity, either on the phone or in person, to ask the therapist some questions. You might want to inquire about his or her license and level of training, approach to psychotherapy, participation in insurance plans, and fees. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe you might interact well.
As you begin psychotherapy, you should establish clear goals with your therapist. Perhaps you want to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression. Or maybe you would like to control a fear that disrupts your daily life. Keep in mind that certain tasks require more time to accomplish than others.
After a few sessions, it’s a good sign if you feel the experience truly is a joint effort and that you and the therapist enjoy a good rapport. On the other hand, you should be open with your therapist if you find yourself feeling “stuck” or lacking direction once you’ve been in psychotherapy awhile.
Patients often feel a wide range of emotions during psychotherapy. When this happens, it can actually be a positive sign indicating that you are starting to explore your thoughts and behaviors. Spend time with your therapist periodically reviewing your progress. Success in reaching your primary goals should be a major factor in deciding when your psychotherapy should end.
Ideally, you will end up with more than one lead. Call and request the opportunity, either on the phone or in person, to ask the therapist some questions. You might want to inquire about his or her license and level of training, approach to psychotherapy, participation in insurance plans, and fees. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe you might interact well.