What to expect and what not to expect from psychological therapy

The times of the COVID-19 crisis have not only had a political and economic impact on practically every country in the world; In addition, they have led to the emergence of a new form of awareness of mental health problems and the way in which these can be addressed from psychotherapy.

Although before the pandemic the belief that only a certain type of very unfortunate people have the need to go to a psychologist was questioned, After these months of health crisis it is clear that almost all human beings are very sensitive to our context, and that apparently subtle changes in the day to day (going to work from home, being afraid of contagion, or being able to attend family gatherings, etc.) predispose us to suffer psychological problems important.

But although the way of conceiving the profession of the psychologist has changed, this does not mean that many myths and ignorance about what psychotherapy is do not remain. That is why in this article we will address the issue of what to expect and what not to expect from psychological therapy

, giving advice on how to face the first session with the psychologist.

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What to expect from psychological therapy?

These are the top key ideas to keep in mind in order to know what to expect from psychotherapy.

1. Support is offered to understand the root of the problem

It is not necessary to go to the first psychotherapy session knowing exactly what it is that causes the discomfort that we want to overcome. In fact, part of the psychotherapist's job is to help patients answer these questions. After all, human beings do not have to have the necessary resources to know precisely what are the mental processes behind our consciousness. Through dialogue with the psychologist it is possible to make progress in self-knowledge.

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2. There are more activities to do beyond the dialogue

Although the belief that psychotherapy basically consists of talking about our experiences and what makes us feel bad is widespread, this is a simplification. In the sessions with the psychologist, not everything is reduced to words or dialogue.

We have a clear example of this in the sessions in which patients are helped to overcome their irrational fears; In such cases, situations are created in which the person must expose himself to what he fears, either through vivid imagination exercises, using real phobic stimuli or also with the use of reality tools virtual.

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3. Constancy is important

Psychotherapy is more than each of the meeting sessions with the therapist separately. These meetings are the backbone of a process, and what we do between sessions is of the utmost importance. That is why psychologists almost always send "homework" to perform on a day-to-day basis; For example, one of the most common activities is to fill in a journal or self-record of emotions.

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4. There is always a specific goal

Although the problem that the patient must overcome may be based on abstract thoughts and difficult to define in a few words, the psychologist always proposes a specific therapeutic objective, a goal to reach, although it never imposes it unilaterally and must be agreed with the patient.

This reference will serve to know if the therapeutic process is progressing at a good pace, and it is also a support so that the person who goes to the psychologist realizes her progress and makes it easier for her self-motivate.

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4. Family collaboration is sought

When possible, in psychotherapy we try to have the collaboration of people from the patient's family environment, although always respecting the confidentiality applied to what the person reveals about himself in the sessions. In this way, it is intended that the people that the patient sees in their day-to-day life make it easier for them to progress and reach the therapeutic goal.

And what not to expect from it?

Now that we've seen the key ideas about what psychotherapy is, it's time to debunk certain myths about it. What are those things that you will not find in the consultation of a psychologist specialized in psychological therapy?

1. Psychotropic drugs are not prescribed

Psychotherapy is part of the field of mental health, but that does not mean that it is encompassed within medicine. The psychologist's activity does not start from the biomedical approach nor does it assume that problems have their origin in mainly organic dysfunctions of the nervous system in general or of the brain in particular.

Although it shares some characteristics with the profession of the psychiatrist (which is indeed a doctor), throughout the psychological therapy sessions it becomes the focus on the management of behaviors and the management of emotions and thoughts, without trying to modify the functioning of parts of the body.

In Spain, psychologists are not authorized to prescribe drugs. But if at any time the therapist considers it necessary, he might recommend going to the psychiatrist first. in order to, through pharmacology, stabilize the patient before approaching the sessions of psychotherapy.

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2. No advice is given on how to live life

Psychotherapy is very different from self-help books and spiritual "gurus" talks that we can find on the Internet. In fact, its reason for being is that there is no instruction manual to live life in a happy way, since each person is unique and so are her circumstances; Hence, it is necessary to give personalized support and previous analysis of the problem that affects the patient or the need that he seeks to satisfy.

Thus, psychotherapy should be understood as an emotional and behavioral training program adapted to the individual, the couple or the family who comes to the consultation. In the psychologist's work there is no single form of intervention. "A priori" all decisions are made from consensus and after conducting an exploration of what has led the person to come to the consultation.

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3. Instant "cures" are not offered

It is totally impossible to overcome a psychological problem in a single session of psychotherapy. The activity carried out in psychological therapy is a whole process that includes gradual changes, in which it is necessary to modify a series of habits and routines of thought. To ensure that the changes for the better are consolidated and remain stable over time, it is important to constancy, attend the sessions regularly and carry out activities between a meeting with the psychologist and the following.

4. There is no possibility of eliminating memories or feelings

Psychotherapy offers tools and solutions that start from the acceptance of what happened: it does not provide a feeling of constant happiness, but rather the ability to maintain a correct quality of life based on emotional balance. In fact, many of the problems that lead people to need psychotherapeutic support are attempts to totally suppress the discomfort.

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Are you looking for psychotherapeutic support services?

If you are interested in starting a process of psychological therapy, we invite you to contact us.

On Psychological Awakenings you will find a team of professionals fully trained to help patients of all ages. Since we started the activity of the Psychology center in 2012, we have assisted more than 10,000 people, and currently we have consultations in Madrid, Leganés, Getafe, and Móstoles. You can count on our services either in the modality of face-to-face psychotherapy or in online therapy by video call.