Psychotherapist, Luton Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Anybody with a psychological condition should carefully consider the option of psychotherapy. Whilst it isn’t a cure to conditions such as depression, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is the primary method of helping individuals manage and potentially overcome the issues. Finding out about the benefits of psychotherapy helps you determine if it is the best course of action for yourself or your loved one. There are numerous different types of therapy in use, so even if one approach doesn’t suit your requirements, you will most likely be able to find something agreeable.

Psychotherapy can generally be thought of as a form of talking therapy, usually conducted on a one-to-one basis. The sessions are completely confidential, and the client is free to discuss his or her personal issues with the therapist. Group therapy sessions are a possibility, however, in which there are numerous clients who deal with their issues with the help of a professional and peers going through the same issues. Also, not all forms of psychotherapy are talking treatments, and things such as art therapy and movement therapy are also available. The difference between counselling and psychotherapy isn’t clearly defined, but therapy is generally for people with more serious issues, whereas counselling is usually used to help psychologically healthy people through a rough patch.

The basic goal of psychotherapy is to help the individual understand and manage the deep-seated issues which have resulted in their emotional or psychological condition. Sessions could continue for varying lengths of time depending on the specific issues and their severity, but the majority of the treatment will involve identifying the root causes of the condition. Once the client gains an understanding of the contributing factors, the focus switches to dealing with those issues more effectively and managing any consequent symptoms. The process is about helping the individual realise his or her own potential to cure or otherwise take control of their own problem.

There are a multitude of different approaches to psychotherapy, and an individual therapist may specialise in one or more types. The most well known are the Freudian psychoanalytic methods, which are designed to identify the subconscious desires, fears and emotions which contribute to various issues. These problems are generally rooted in childhood, and are unearthed through things like “free association,” where the individual talks about anything that is on their mind and the therapist endeavours to analyse their subconscious processes.

One of the most common other approaches is cognitive behavioural therapy, which is more concerned with the present and the future than Freudian analysis. Instead of delving into the individual’s past unnecessarily, the focus is on the cognitive (thinking-related) and behavioural (action-related) factors and how these contribute to or cause problems. By deconstructing clients’ thoughts and actions, any harmful patterns are identified and replaced with healthy alternatives. Other types of psychotherapy include gestalt and person-centred therapy, which use a more humanistic approach.

The term psychotherapy is a fairly broad one, and it encompasses myriad treatment types and approaches. If you or your loved one is suffering from an issue too deep-seated to be efficiently addressed by a counsellor, finding the right help is extremely important. We can help you determine your treatment requirements and suggest the best options and most suitable approaches to you. You can either visit us in person at our Luton offices or get in contact with us over the phone. We provide friendly, impartial advice and can help you get the care you need. We know you’re going through a tough time, and we’re here to help you.