Psychotherapy and clinical counselling can assist you with a wide variety of mental health and emotional challenges.
The process can help eliminate or manage troubling symptoms so you can function better, increase your well-being, and recover.
What is Psychotherapy and Counselling?
Problems helped by psychotherapist and clinical counsellor include difficulties in coping with daily life, the impact of trauma, medical illness, or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. I apply a variety different types of counselling approaches, and some may work better with specific problems or issues.
The Process
Psychotherapy and counselling can be conducted with individuals, families, couples, or groups, and can help both children and adults. Sessions are typically held once a week for about 60 minutes.
Both the client and psychotherapist/counsellor need to be actively involved in the process for the best outcomes. The trust and working relationship between a client and their psychotherapist/counsellor are essential for the process to be effective and beneficial.
Psychotherapy and counselling can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months), dealing with longstanding and complex issues. The goals of treatment and how often they meet is planned jointly by both the client and psychotherapist/counsellor.
Confidentiality is a fundamental requirement of the process. Clients share personal feelings and thoughts in a safe environment.
How Can Psychotherapy and Counselling Help?
Psychotherapy and counselling addresses challenges such as difficulties in coping with daily life, the impact of trauma, medical illness, or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental disorders, like depression or anxiety. There are several different types of psychotherapy and counselling. Some types may work better with particular problems or issues. Psychotherapy and counselling may be combined with medication prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist.
The Importance of Empathy and Acceptance
Below are six key findings from over ninety psychotherapy and counselling studies. These findings showcase the importance of the qualities of the helping professional:
- There is a significant relationship between the psychotherapist/counsellor-client alliance and therapy outcome.
- Psychotherapists and counsellors who provide empathy have a better outcome.
- Counsellors who work toward a consensus and agreed-upon set of goals with clients have a better outcome.
- Psychotherapists and counsellors who are warmly accepting of their clients without conditions have a better outcome.
- Psychotherapists and counsellors willing to share of their lives and are genuine and communicate their person to clients fare better.
- Psychotherapists and counsellors who provide consistent feedback are more successful.
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The benefits of psychotherapy and counselling include:
Why Psychotherapy and Counselling Works for Engaged Clients?
Research shows that most people who receive psychotherapy and counselling experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. About 75 percent of people who enter psychotherapy and counselling show some benefit from it (American Psychological Association (2016). psychotherapy and counselling has been shown to improve emotions and behaviors and to be linked with positive changes in the brain and body. The benefits also include fewer sick days, less disability, fewer medical problems, and increased work satisfaction.
With the use of brain imaging techniques, researchers have been able to see changes in the brain after a person has undergone psychotherapy and counselling. Numerous studies have identified brain changes in people with mental illness (including depression, panic disorder, PTSD, and other conditions) as a result of undergoing psychotherapy and counselling. In most cases, the brain changes resulting from psychotherapy and counselling were similar to changes resulting from medication (Karlsson, 2011).
To help get the most out of psychotherapy and counselling, approach the process as a collaborative effort, be open and honest, and follow your agreed-upon recovery plan. The more the client engages in the process, the more likely there will be positive outcomes.
