What is therapy?
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is typically facilitated by a Clinical Psychologist to address problematic behaviours, beliefs, feelings, interpersonal (relationship) issues, and/or somatic sensations (bodily symptoms caused by psychological distress). It provides a safe environment to be vulnerable and honest and receive unconditional and genuine support. Therapy is a process comprised of multiple sessions which are used to assess psychological difficulties, identify triggers, identify values and belief systems, understand how they were formed, change perceptions and assumptions and create healthier patterns of behaviours, and emotional processes that result in greater inner peace.
Why is therapy important?
Through therapy, you can change self-destructive behaviours and habits, resolve painful memories and feelings, learn new skills, enhance relationships, and generally improve mental flexibility. Clinical studies show that mental flexibility directly impacts your physical health! Greater mental flexibility leads to better mental health, which in turn results in improved physical health.
How long should therapy last?
The number of sessions in your therapeutic process is dependent on the type of issue (anxiety, depression, etc. ), the severity of the issue (how much it affects daily functioning) and your individual perception of yourself and of the world (amount of work needed to improve/adjust mental flexibility).
Is therapy painful?
Therapy can be emotionally painful.
If we want to break unhealthy patterns that leave us frustrated, drained and unhappy, we must remove the automatic reaction of running from pain and confront the pain. This process can require sitting with some tough emotions in the short term.
Do I need a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist?
Psychologists are experts in studying the mind and its behaviours, specialising in evaluating and treating mental conditions. They are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medications. Their training focuses on treatment methods, psychological theory, and behavioural therapy.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. Their training equips them to prescribe and monitor medications for managing mental health conditions.
In some cases, an effective mental health intervention may require treatment from both bypes of professionals.