What is psychotherapy? Main characteristics of this process

A summary of the most important characteristics of psychological therapy.

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

There are several aspects that define a good psychotherapy, how long it should last, and its objectives. We will now answer in depth the question of what is psychotherapy.

• Article related: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy".

What is the psychotherapy?

The psychotherapy is the treatment that has like objective a change of thoughts, beliefs, feelings and behaviors that can have generated discomfort and problems in the mental health of the patient.. This process takes place 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 he/she has really experienced. In addition, with the psychologist's work, it will be possible to put words to what the patient has experienced, putting at his disposal different techniques, preferably scientifically validated, such as reformulation of problems, open questions, exercises of putting in situation... All these techniques can vary depending on the psychologist's current, being able to be cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, humanistic...

The main intention of applying these techniques is to to achieve changes in the patient, creating new, healthier and more effective habits, which will allow him/her to increase his/her wellbeing.. This is achieved in the psychotherapeutic context by having 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 help the patient achieve a happier, healthier and more productive life.

When is it necessary?

In the popular culture there are still many myths about psychotherapy, among which stands out that "going to a 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 consider that they are perfectly fine and do not need the help of any mental health professional.

However, going to psychotherapy is always a good option, regardless of whether you have a serious psychological problem or simply want to take more control of your life. It is worth overcoming the fear of going to a psychologist.It is worth overcoming the fear of going to a psychologist, especially if you take into account that sometimes you are suffering from something that is relatively easy to solve in the hands of a professional, such as momentary episodes of depression, anxiety or virulent attacks of anger.

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

Another reason to 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 may be harmed, such as a divorce, the departure of children, feeling saturated in studies or work or the loss of a loved one.

Characteristics of psychotherapy

These are the the main defining characteristics of psychotherapy, both related to the patient and to 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.
• Therapy is aimed at producing changes congruent with the patient's goals.
• It is about increasing the patient's well-being.
• Teaching significant emotional, behavioral and cognitive learning.
• Neutralization of irrational fears.

The most important characteristics of psychotherapy have to do with the the establishment of a solid therapeutic alliance 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 their irrational beliefs.

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

The progression of treatment

As psychotherapy progresses, the therapeutic alliance between patient and professional will continue to be forged. During this process, the psychologist may conduct some assessments, such as the application of questionnaires, to learn more about the patient.. Clinical psychologists are trained to administer and interpret tests of various types, such as personality and intelligence tests, as well as questionnaires to determine the degree of general discomfort, depression, anxiety and other psychological problems.

Once the patient has answered the tests, whatever they are, the psychologist has objective information about him/her. From the results of these tests, a precise diagnosis of the patient's problem can be made, in addition to knowing his personality traits, whether he is highly gifted or, on the contrary, suffers from some type of personality disorder or intellectual disability. 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 the status of his or her problem.. In addition, the psychologist will explain how the therapy will proceed, and how many times a week the patient will have to visit the clinic. This part of the process usually takes place in the first sessions which, depending on the tests administered and the complexity of the patient's problem, can range from one to three or four sessions.

Once this stage is passed, the next step is the solution of the problems. To this end, both patient and therapist will work together, albeit in an asymmetrical and professional relationship, since the psychologist is the one who has the expert knowledge and knows which strategies to apply. At this point in the therapy, it is a matter of finding ways of thinking, behaving and handling feelings that are effective for the patient to cope with the adversities of life. to cope with the adversities in his or her life.

Throughout the sessions, the psychologist may ask the patient to perform role-playing exercises of the newly learned behaviors. He/she will also ask him/her to repeat them 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 if, on the contrary, it is necessary to reformulate the original objectives.

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

Confidentiality

In the psychologist's profession, confidentiality and respect for the patient's privacy are fundamental, and is part of the profession's code of ethics.. In fact, a clinical psychologist who violates patient confidentiality risks losing the ability to practice his or her profession. With this in mind, patients should not worry about what they may say in a psychotherapeutic context, and can speak with complete frankness and honesty about their most intimate thoughts and behaviors.

While the patient should not fear that the psychologist is going to reveal his or her secrets, there are situations in which this confidentiality is breached, but justifiably so. Examples of this are when there is a court order requiring psychological data from one of the parties involved in a legal process, the patient has stated that he/she is going to commit suicide or harm others, or there is abuse, exploitation or neglect of children, the elderly or the disabled, such as the severely disabled.

Effectiveness of psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is known to be a conversational therapy, in which dialogue is fundamental for it to be carried out.. Knowing this, you may have wondered why you should go to a psychologist when you have a group of friends and family with whom you can talk about your problems.

Psychologists are much more than just people 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 well-being. In addition, there is scientific evidence that psychotherapy is an effective treatment, and perfectly combinable with psychiatric treatments. perfectly combinable with psychiatric treatments..

Approximately 75% of people who undergo psychotherapy see some benefit as the psychotherapy progresses, usually after 6 to 12 months. Also, comparative studies have been made between those who go to a psychologist and those who do not go to a psychologist, with 80% of people who have gone to psychotherapy feeling 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.
• Patient characteristics, beliefs, values, culture and preferences.

The end of the process

Although psychotherapy is often thought of as a process that lasts for years, this is not always the case. The duration of psychotherapy depends on several factors, such as the type of problem or disorder the patient suffers from, his or her personality and cultural characteristics, history of psychological problems and treatments he or she has undergone. It is also influenced by the patient's goals and expectations about the therapy.The treatment is not only for the patient, but also for what happens beyond the consultation.

Although it is not recommended, some people find that a single session is enough and feel relieved immediately. It is not recommended insofar as a single session is not enough to know, in depth, how the patient's problem is 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 the psychologist can give him/her a new perspectiveand that the psychologist can provide them with ways to cope with situations.

Many find benefits after a few sessions, especially if it is a unique and well-defined problem, which has not waited long to act when it appeared. Other people and situations may require more time, such as one or two years, to begin to see real lasting benefits in the person's level of well-being. This is what can happen with people who have suffered serious trauma or who have faced serious problems.

People with severe and chronic mental disorders may require psychotherapy indefinitely, accompanied by pharmacology and visits to a psychiatrist to assess for side effects of medication. to evaluate whether they are suffering from any side effects of the medication. Periodic psychotherapy sessions can provide the support needed to maintain good daily functioning, despite suffering from a condition that, unfortunately, is often chronic.

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

Bibliographical references:

• Ching, J., Londoño-McConnell, A., Molitor, N. and Ritz, M. (n. d.). Understanding psychotherapy. United States. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/centrodeapoyo/entendiendo-la-psicoterapia.