What is psychotherapy? Main characteristics of this process

Psychotherapy is not a complex process, in which the patient and the therapist establish a relationship of trust, but always without losing track of what defines a professional context.

There are several aspects that define a good psychotherapy, how long it should last, and its objectives. Next we are going to answer in depth the question of what is psychotherapy.

• Related article: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is treatment that aims to change in thoughts, beliefs, feelings and behaviors that may have generated discomfort and mental health problems in the patient. This process is carried out between a professional, with training and clinical skills necessary to facilitate psychological change, and the patient or client who has come to the consultation in search of help.

The psychologist listens to the suffering, difficulties, problems and doubts of the patient, favoring the expression of what she has really experienced. In addition, with the work of the psychologist, words can be put into what the patient has experienced, putting at their disposal different techniques, preferably scientifically validated, such as reformulation of problems, open questions, exercises to put into practice situation... All these techniques can vary depending on the current of the psychologist, being able to be cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, humanist…

The main intention of applying these techniques is achieve changes in the patient, creating new, healthier and more effective habits, which will allow them to increase their well-being. This is achieved in the psychotherapeutic context by making the patient confront himself, his problems, virtues and defects, in addition to applying the techniques learned in consultation. The ultimate goal of the process is to ensure that the patient achieves a happier, healthier and more productive life.

When is it necessary?

In popular culture there are still many myths around psychotherapy, among which the one that stands out is that “going to the psychologist is for crazy people”. Also, going to a psychologist is seen as excessive for problems perceived as solvable from home or from the circle of acquaintances. Others may feel that they are fine and do not need the help of a mental health professional.

However, going to psychotherapy is always a good option, regardless of whether you suffer from some serious psychological problem or simply want to get more control of the life of one. It is worth overcoming the fear of going to the psychologist, especially if one takes into account that, sometimes, one suffers because of something that has a relatively easy solution in professional hands, such as momentary depressive episodes, anxiety or virulent attacks of go to.

Psychotherapy is also recommended for people who are suffering from a serious medical illness. Going to a psychotherapist is highly recommended in cases such as cancer, HIV / AIDS, morbid obesity, terminal illnesses, loss of limb, amyotrophic lateral atrophy (ALS), hearing and / or visual impairment... While going to a psychologist will not cure disease, it will help the person to accept the process, take a more optimistic and constructive view of their life or, in the case of a chronic disease, learn strategies to cope with it.

Another reason why you can go to psychotherapy does not have to do with psychopathology or medical illnesses, but with situations in which if you do not receive the proper help the health of those involved can be harmed, such as a divorce, the departure of children, feeling saturated in studies or work or the loss of a being Dear.

• You may be interested: "The 12 branches (or fields) of Psychology"

Characteristics of psychotherapy

These are the main characteristics that define psychotherapy, both related to the patient and the therapist.

• Patient dissatisfaction with their thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
• Need and search for help.
• Therapists create a warm, supportive, and respectful emotional atmosphere.
• Trust and hope are fostered in the patient.
• The patient is not criticized.
• The therapy is aimed at producing changes consistent with the patient's goals.
• It is about increasing the well-being of the patient.
• Teach meaningful emotional, behavioral, and cognitive learning.
• Neutralization of irrational fears.

The most important characteristics of psychotherapy have to do with the that a strong therapeutic alliance is established between patient and therapist. It is through this that contributes to the creation of a warm atmosphere in which the patient is sincere and explains everything that happens to him, in addition to bringing to light her irrational beliefs.

With this, the psychologist will try to develop strategies to change behavior patterns maladjusted, irrational fears, dysphoric emotions, and dysfunctional ways of relating with the rest.

Treatment progression

As psychotherapy advances, the therapeutic alliance between the patient and the professional will continue to be forged. During this process, the psychologist can carry out some evaluations, such as the application of questionnaires, to get to know his patient more thoroughly.. Clinical psychologists are trained to administer and interpret tests of various types, such as personality tests and tests. intelligence, as well as questionnaires to know the degree of general discomfort, depression, anxiety and other problems psychological.

Once the patient has answered the tests, whatever they may be, the psychologist has objective information about him. From the results of these tests, an accurate diagnosis of the patient's problem can be made, in addition to knowing your personality traits, if you are highly gifted or, on the contrary, suffer from some type of personality disorder or disability intellectual. Based on all this information obtained, the psychologist can establish a script of how the treatment will progress.

In the first stage of the process, the psychologist will help the patient to clarify what the situation of his problem is. In addition, he will explain to you how the therapy will proceed, and how many times he will have to attend a consultation a week. This part of the process usually occurs in the first sessions, which, depending on the tests administered and the complexity of the patient's problem, can go from one session to three or four.

Once this stage is overcome, action is taken, this is the solution of the problems. For this, both the patient and the therapist will work together, although in an asymmetric and professional, since the psychologist is the one who has the expert knowledge and knows what strategies should be Apply. At this point in therapy, It is about finding ways of thinking, behaving and managing feelings that are effective for the patient to face the adversities of his life.

Throughout the sessions, the psychologist may ask the patient to perform dramatization exercises of the new learned behaviors. He will also ask you to repeat them while at home or in the problem situation.. As the treatment progresses, the psychologist and the patient will observe whether or not there is a real process or whether, otherwise, it is necessary to reformulate the original objectives.

When psychotherapy progresses properly, the patient acquires new skills that will make him see himself differently, in addition to having a more positive outlook on life. With the treatment, he will learn to distinguish between situations that can change and situations that cannot, applying what he has learned, trying to change the former and accepting the latter. Also he will acquire greater resilience, that is, better deal with challenges and adversities without having a whole series of dysfunctional thoughts that would increase his discomfort.

Confidentiality

In the profession of the psychologist, confidentiality and respect for the privacy of the patient is fundamental, and It is part of the deontological code of the profession. In fact, a clinical psychologist who violates patient confidentiality risks losing the ability to practice their profession. With this in mind, patients need not worry about what they may say in a context psychotherapeutic, being able to speak frankly and honestly about their thoughts and behaviors more intimate.

Although the patient should not fear that the psychologist will reveal her secrets, there are situations in which this confidentiality is violated but justified. Examples of this are when there is a court order in which psychological data is needed from one of those involved in a legal process, the patient has stated that he is leaving to commit suicide or to harm third parties or to abuse, exploitation or abandonment of children, the elderly or disabled people, such as disabled to a degree serious.

Effectiveness of psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is known to be a conversation therapy, in which dialogue is essential for it to take place. Knowing this, it is possible that more than one has wondered why it is necessary to go to a psychologist having a group of friends and family with whom you can talk about problems.

Psychologists are much more than just anybody to vent to. They are professionals who have expert knowledge, acquired over several years of training, to be able to understand people's problems, as well as find a way to solve them and increase their wellness. In addition, there is scientific evidence showing that psychotherapy is an effective treatment, and perfectly combinable with psychiatric treatments.

Approximately 75% of people who undergo psychotherapy see some benefit as it progresses, usually after 6 to 12. Also, comparative studies have been made between those who go and those who do not go to a psychologist, with 80% of people who have attended psychotherapy who are much better at the end of the treatment.

There are three factors that make a psychotherapeutic treatment work:

• Treatment based on evidence and appropriate to the patient's problem.
• Clinical knowledge of the psychologist.
• Characteristics, beliefs, values, culture and preferences of the patient.

The end of the process

Although psychotherapy is often thought of as a process that takes years, this is not really always the case. The duration of psychotherapy depends on several factors, such as the type of problem or disorder the patient suffers from, their personality and cultural characteristics, history of psychological problems and treatments that have been submitted. The patient's goals and expectations about therapy also influence, in addition to what happens beyond the consultation.

Although it is not recommended, some find it enough to just one session, feeling immediately relieved. It is not recommended to the extent that a single session is not enough to know, in depth, what the patient's problem is like and if there has really been a significant and lasting improvement. Although it should be noted that in the first contact the patient can acquire a new perspective, and that the psychologist can provide you with ways to deal with situations.

Many find benefits after a few sessions, especially if it is a unique and well-defined problem, in which they did not wait long to act when it appeared. Other people and situations may require more time, such as a year or two, for really lasting benefits to begin to be seen in the person's level of well-being. This is what can happen to people who have suffered serious trauma or who have faced serious problems.

People with severe and chronic mental disorders may require indefinite psychotherapy, accompanied by pharmacology and visits to the psychiatrist to evaluate if they suffer from any side effects of the medication. Regular psychotherapy sessions can provide the support necessary to maintain good daily functioning, despite suffering from a condition that, unfortunately, is often chronic.

Other people, despite having solved their problems, can continue to go to psychotherapy. This may be because they continue to enjoy a better understanding of life, better well-being, and feel that following a psychotherapist they work better. Going to the psychologist, if you are well, should not be seen as looking for problems that we do not have, but as a way to make sure how well you are, such as who goes to the doctor for a check-up or who goes to the dentist for a dental cleaning.

Bibliographic references:

• Ching, J., Londoño-McConnell, A., Molitor, N. and Ritz, M. (s. F.). Understanding psychotherapy. USA. American Psychological Association. Taken from https://www.apa.org/centrodeapoyo/entendiendo-la-psicoterapia.