Psychotherapy is an approach that provides long-term relief with a deeper focus on human behaviour and emotions on a conscious and subconscious level. Psychotherapists aim to explore, unravel, and address elements of a patient’s psychological history.
The approach could be a group of modalities designed to help treat mental health conditions, change thinking patterns, and improve coping skills for example.
This form of therapy is often provided by a psychologist, counsellor, psychiatrist or hypnotherapist. Often referred to as talking therapy or psychological therapy.
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There are different types of psychotherapy:
- Cognitive behaviour therapy — looks at the link between a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions, and how each may affect their perception and wellbeing.
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy — a type of CBT that integrates mindfulness.
- Dialectical behaviour therapy — teaches positive behavioural skills to manage stress, emotions and develop positive relationships. It is a type of CBT typically used for personality disorders.
- Interpersonal therapy — helps a person deal more effectively with people and situations they find difficult.
- Supportive psychotherapy —a talking-based therapy designed to allow a person with mental health issues to voice their concerns, and receive encouragement and help in finding practical solutions.
- Family therapy — aims to improve relationships within a family, and the family function as a whole. Therapy sessions are conducted with family members.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy — helps a person accept stressful events, such as experiencing psychotic symptoms, and commit to develop positive attitudes towards them and focus on the present moment.
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy — increases awareness of how distressing thoughts and feelings came to be.
Therapists may use one or a combination of approaches to reach their clients goal or ideal outcome.
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Psychotherapy can be used to treat:
- depression
- bipolar disorder
- anxiety
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- borderline personality disorder or dependent personality disorder
- phobias
- panic disorder
- addictions (including alcoholism, drug dependence and gambling addiction)
- eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia
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If you would like to talk to us about how we can support you, then please contact us to book your appointment today!