Therapy

 

What is Therapy?

Psychotherapy therapy (often referred to as ‘talking therapy’ by the NHS) is used to treat emotional problems and mental health issues. Talking to a trained professional – rather than a friend or relative - can be extremely helpful. Psychotherapists (therapists) are specialist mental health professionals who are trained to listen to a person's problems to try to get to the root of them, and help them find a solution.

A trained therapist offers a safe and confidential environment in which you can express your feelings, examine past life events, traumas, thoughts, and beliefs, and gain deeper insight.  Therapy is completely confidential. This means that you can talk about things you might not feel be able to discuss with anyone else, without any fear of judgement or misunderstanding. As well as listening and discussing important issues with you, therapists can suggest strategies for resolving problems and, if necessary, help you change your thought patterns, attitudes and behaviour.

 

What can therapy help with?

Psychotherapy allows you to look deeper into your problems and worries, and deal with habits and behavioural patterns that you may be trapped in, as well as a range of mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Therapy can help with:

  • Managing anger

  • Managing anxiety

  • Coping with stress

  • Coping with depression

  • Overcoming fears or insecurities

  • Developing a plan for coping with crises

  • Establishing a stable, dependable routine

  • Making sense of traumatic past experience

  • Improving relationships with family and friends

  • Identifying triggers that may worsen your symptoms

  • Understanding why things bother you and what you can do about them

  • Addressing destructive habits such as drinking, drug use, overspending, or unhealthy sex

 

Who can therapy help?

Therapy can help all sorts of people in lots of different situations. 

It can be useful for anyone who is going through a bad time, or has emotional problems they need help with. The most common emotional problems people seek therapy for are life events such as bereavement, divorce, redundancy, relationship breakdown and problems, dealing with stress, work issues, family issues, and so on.

But for those who have a general sense of just feeling a bit lost, down, or anxious, therapy can also be very helpful. Studies are now showing that for many adults; therapy may be just as effective as taking medication*

*McHugh, R.K., Whitton, S.W., Peckham, A.D., Welge, J.A., & Otto, M.W. (2013). Patient Preference for Psychological vs. Pharmacological Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: A Meta-Analytic Review, J Clin Psychiatry. 2013 June ; 74(6): 595–602. doi:10.4088/JCP.12r07757