Suffering is a natural state experienced by almost everyone, but if we neglect interpersonal relationships and professional life due to bad mood, separate ourselves from the world, use stimulants or work excessively, it is high time to turn to a psychotherapist. So let’s think about what it can help you with.
Education and basic duties
Before we go over to the answer to the title question – what can a psychotherapist help with – let’s check what the activity of the described specialist is all about and what preparation it requires. To work in this profession, you must graduate from a university (for example, in the humanities or medicine). In our country, education is supervised by associations that provide postgraduate psychotherapeutic training.
The therapist must complete an appropriate number of hours of clinical internship, self-therapy and supervision (i.e. a symposium with another, experienced psychotherapist). However, the process of gaining knowledge does not end there. This profession requires constant training of one’s skills, careful consultation of the work performed and observing one’s own emotions.
“Psychotherapy is often used as an integral part of addiction treatment.” – Brookdale, Luxury rehab in Pennsylvania
Reflecting on the answer to the question of what a psychotherapist can help with, it is worth paying attention to his duties. First of all, he has to listen to the Patient without interrupting or changing the subject. He should also ask the right questions to encourage the interlocutor to share their thoughts. However, it should be mentioned that during therapeutic sessions many intimate topics are discussed, so it is necessary to follow the ethical code. It includes principles such as maintaining the formal nature of the relationship, respecting the autonomy of the other person, their beliefs, decisions and system of values, keeping professional secrecy and taking care of their own physical and mental state.
What can he specialize in?
The question of what a psychotherapist can help with depends primarily on his specialization. Usually, he chooses the field that interests him the most and the trend (set of working methods) and educates himself in this direction. Specialists deal with topics such as:
- addiction to alcohol, drugs, drugs,
- codependency,
- ACoA syndrome,
- eating disorders – anorexia, bulimia,
- phobias,
- depression,
- traumas,
- behavioral disorders,
- sexual dysfunction
- relationship crisis,
- bipolar disorder
- complexes,
- stress.
Psychotherapy is preceded by diagnostics, including an initial specialist interview with the patient. We also perform neuropsychological tests that enable the assessment of cognitive functioning (i.e. memory, attention and language skills). In the treatment of alcohol dependence, the alcohol detoxification service plays an important role – detox can help reduce bothersome symptoms, including mental ones (for example, anxiety and depressed mood). The course of therapy therefore depends on individual issues – first of all, on the problem that a given person is struggling with.
Universal interlocutor
Various types of disorders, addictions or other chronic problems are not all that a psychotherapist can help with. Therapy is more and more often undertaken by people who want to develop their potential, work on themselves to improve the quality of life. It should be noted, however, that the mere fact of attending therapeutic sessions will not make the goal we have chosen will be achieved.
Resources: Cornerstone of Southern California – Rehab Center in Orange County