Psychotherapy offers a confidential process for exploring thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and life experiences. Through developing insight and awareness with a trained therapist, clients can gain a better understanding of themselves, reduce distressing symptoms, make positive changes, and achieve greater independence and fulfillment. While not intended for severe mental illnesses, psychotherapy can effectively treat many problems including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and trauma.

1. Importance ofImportance of
PsychotherapyPsychotherapy
Why do we Need psychotherapy?Why do we Need psychotherapy?
Lecture 26Lecture 26

2. IntroductionIntroduction
 We live in a world that is increasingly complex,We live in a world that is increasingly complex,
intense, and stressful.intense, and stressful.
 Many people wonder if they should considerMany people wonder if they should consider
Psychotherapy.Psychotherapy.
 See what response you give to the issues andSee what response you give to the issues and
situations below.situations below.

3.  You want to live a more satisfying life.You want to live a more satisfying life.
 You want to feel better about yourself,You want to feel better about yourself,
 Feel less stressed,Feel less stressed,
 Be more easily able to use your potentialBe more easily able to use your potential
to reach your goals.to reach your goals.
 You want to feel more effective andYou want to feel more effective and
comfortable in your relationships.comfortable in your relationships.
 You want to be better at communicatingYou want to be better at communicating
and resolving conflicts.and resolving conflicts.

4.  Life's stresses are getting you down.Life's stresses are getting you down.
 You find yourself anxious or depressed,You find yourself anxious or depressed,
 having difficulties at work or school,having difficulties at work or school,
 having trouble concentrating or sleeping,having trouble concentrating or sleeping,
 fighting with your family,fighting with your family,
 not taking care of yourself physically,not taking care of yourself physically,
 or generally suffer from bad mood under theor generally suffer from bad mood under the
weather.weather.

5.  These are some of the life experiences thatThese are some of the life experiences that
lead people to seek psychotherapy.lead people to seek psychotherapy.
 Perhaps some are familiar to you, orPerhaps some are familiar to you, or
perhaps you wondered for other reasonsperhaps you wondered for other reasons
whether you might benefit fromwhether you might benefit from
psychotherapy.psychotherapy.
 Research shows that people can profit fromResearch shows that people can profit from
psychotherapy – can learn, grow, andpsychotherapy – can learn, grow, and
change at any stage or age in life. It is neverchange at any stage or age in life. It is never
too soon and never too late.too soon and never too late.

6. What is psychotherapy?What is psychotherapy?
What does it offer?What does it offer?

7.  Psychotherapy is a complex process that varies withPsychotherapy is a complex process that varies with
each client.each client.
 It is not a set of simple "technologies" or procedures.It is not a set of simple "technologies" or procedures.
 Doing it well requires a high degree of education andDoing it well requires a high degree of education and
training and a well-developed capacity for empathictraining and a well-developed capacity for empathic
listening.listening.
 All psychotherapy, furthermore, depends on theAll psychotherapy, furthermore, depends on the
development of a safe, trusting, confidentialdevelopment of a safe, trusting, confidential
relationship between the client and the therapist.relationship between the client and the therapist.
 Most methods of psychotherapy aim at helping clientsMost methods of psychotherapy aim at helping clients
change unproductive ways of thinking and behaving.change unproductive ways of thinking and behaving.

8.  Psychotherapy is a process of discovery – a learningPsychotherapy is a process of discovery – a learning
process.process.
 The therapist and client can work together to discoverThe therapist and client can work together to discover
what events, situations, and relationships in client’swhat events, situations, and relationships in client’s
current life or earlier life are leaving him/her withcurrent life or earlier life are leaving him/her with
uncomfortable feelings or distress.uncomfortable feelings or distress.
 Work progresses toward acquiring new, effective,Work progresses toward acquiring new, effective,
helpful ways of understanding client’s experienceshelpful ways of understanding client’s experiences
and the events in client’s life, his/her responses toand the events in client’s life, his/her responses to
them, and the actions taken.them, and the actions taken.
 Thus client’s actions can become less automatic andThus client’s actions can become less automatic and
more fully based on understanding and choice.more fully based on understanding and choice.
 Client’s partner, child or entire family might participateClient’s partner, child or entire family might participate
in the processes of discovery, learning, and changein the processes of discovery, learning, and change
that are characteristic of psychotherapy.that are characteristic of psychotherapy.

9.  Psychotherapy is an unfolding process. It begins byPsychotherapy is an unfolding process. It begins by
creating the private, confidential context in which itcreating the private, confidential context in which it
can do its job.can do its job.
 The work that is actually done depends on the needsThe work that is actually done depends on the needs
and desires of the client.and desires of the client.
 In some cases the work is to uncover emotionalIn some cases the work is to uncover emotional
experiences of the past that are brought to the surfaceexperiences of the past that are brought to the surface
by current events, situations, and relationships, soby current events, situations, and relationships, so
that the present circumstances can be understoodthat the present circumstances can be understood
and dealt with in a different way.and dealt with in a different way.
 In the course of this exploring and re-understanding,In the course of this exploring and re-understanding,
painful or uncomfortable symptoms such aspainful or uncomfortable symptoms such as
persistent depressed feelings, fearfulness, orpersistent depressed feelings, fearfulness, or
unwanted habits and thoughts often decrease inunwanted habits and thoughts often decrease in
intensity and frequency, ineffective ways ofintensity and frequency, ineffective ways of
responding and acting can also be changed.responding and acting can also be changed.

10.  Psychotherapy looks at the whole human being and atPsychotherapy looks at the whole human being and at
the many complex factors that have contributed tothe many complex factors that have contributed to
making every person unique.making every person unique.
 Symptoms such as anxiety or depression are viewedSymptoms such as anxiety or depression are viewed
not just as a problem, but also as a sign thatnot just as a problem, but also as a sign that
something is hurting inside – that some aspect of thesomething is hurting inside – that some aspect of the
person needs attention.person needs attention.
 Psychotherapy assumes that there are parts of ourPsychotherapy assumes that there are parts of our
lives of which we are not fully aware.lives of which we are not fully aware.
 Psychotherapy affords an opportunity to uncover,Psychotherapy affords an opportunity to uncover,
explore, learn about, and appreciate our perceptions,explore, learn about, and appreciate our perceptions,
our hidden assumptions, the ways we have adapted toour hidden assumptions, the ways we have adapted to
life-and how all these have evolved.life-and how all these have evolved.

11.  Psychotherapy takes place in the context of aPsychotherapy takes place in the context of a
solid, trustworthy working relationship betweensolid, trustworthy working relationship between
the client and the therapist.the client and the therapist.
 It helps create the context, the insight, and under-It helps create the context, the insight, and under-
standing, the vision, and the support within whichstanding, the vision, and the support within which
durable growth and desirable change can takedurable growth and desirable change can take
place.place.
 Psychotherapy is not just advice-giving.Psychotherapy is not just advice-giving.
 It empowers the client to come to useful personalIt empowers the client to come to useful personal
understanding, to make clearer choices, and tounderstanding, to make clearer choices, and to
achieve durable independence.achieve durable independence.

12.  As we become more aware and more appreciative ofAs we become more aware and more appreciative of
what is inside us, we can resolve or come to termswhat is inside us, we can resolve or come to terms
both with our internal conflicts and our reactions toboth with our internal conflicts and our reactions to
people and external events; we feel in betterpeople and external events; we feel in better
possession of ourselves and more able to makepossession of ourselves and more able to make
positive and life-affirming decisions.positive and life-affirming decisions.
 Creative energies no longer need to be spent onCreative energies no longer need to be spent on
keeping old troubles in control, and there is morekeeping old troubles in control, and there is more
energy for love, work and play.energy for love, work and play.
 We can see past and present events and people moreWe can see past and present events and people more
clearly, and come to know more about who we are –clearly, and come to know more about who we are –
independent of other people's definitions.independent of other people's definitions.
 Some have referred to the psychotherapy experienceSome have referred to the psychotherapy experience
asas the awakening of the inner self.the awakening of the inner self.

13.  Thus in the process of psychotherapy one can seeThus in the process of psychotherapy one can see
beneath the surface and integrate intellectualbeneath the surface and integrate intellectual
understanding with one’s emotional experiences.understanding with one’s emotional experiences.
 The confidential psychotherapy sessions encourageThe confidential psychotherapy sessions encourage
your thoughts and emotional experiences to flowyour thoughts and emotional experiences to flow
freely.freely.
 You jointly examine these moment-to-momentYou jointly examine these moment-to-moment
experiences in a non-judgmental manner that providesexperiences in a non-judgmental manner that provides
new under- standing about your experience of thenew under- standing about your experience of the
world.world.
 The process gradually becomes a part of your internalThe process gradually becomes a part of your internal
experience and goes with you after the therapy isexperience and goes with you after the therapy is
completed.completed.

14.  Psychotherapy can be a powerful and life changingPsychotherapy can be a powerful and life changing
experience.experience.
 Awareness is the key that opens the door from theAwareness is the key that opens the door from the
stuck or trapped place that a person feels in to a lifestuck or trapped place that a person feels in to a life
that embraces choice and relationship.that embraces choice and relationship.
 The less aware we are of our motives, feelingsThe less aware we are of our motives, feelings
thoughts, actions, perceptions, the more they controlthoughts, actions, perceptions, the more they control
us and the more we stay stuck in old patterns thatus and the more we stay stuck in old patterns that
don’t work anymore.don’t work anymore.
 Relief from symptoms lies in discovering what ourRelief from symptoms lies in discovering what our
everyday reality is and how we meet and deal witheveryday reality is and how we meet and deal with
that.that.

15.  Psychotherapy does not translate well intoPsychotherapy does not translate well into
sound bites. It is a broad discipline that holdssound bites. It is a broad discipline that holds
several approaches to dealing with anxietiesseveral approaches to dealing with anxieties
and concerns to severe psychologicaland concerns to severe psychological
breakdown.breakdown.
 Symptoms that are often brought to aSymptoms that are often brought to a
Psychotherapist includePsychotherapist include DepressionDepression,, AnxietyAnxiety
StatesStates,, BereavementBereavement,, RelationshipRelationship issuesissues
etc.etc.

16.  Psychotherapy differs in two ways from thePsychotherapy differs in two ways from the
informal help or advice that one person mayinformal help or advice that one person may
give another.give another.
 First, psychotherapy is conducted by aFirst, psychotherapy is conducted by a
trained, certified, or licensed therapist.trained, certified, or licensed therapist.
 Secondly, treatment methods inSecondly, treatment methods in
psychotherapy are guided by well-psychotherapy are guided by well-
developed theories about the sources ofdeveloped theories about the sources of
personal problems.personal problems.

17. So we can Define Psychotherapy:So we can Define Psychotherapy:
 As the intentional application of psychologicalAs the intentional application of psychological
techniques for obtaining pre-determinedtechniques for obtaining pre-determined
changes, like changes in behavior, reduction ofchanges, like changes in behavior, reduction of
psychological distress etc.psychological distress etc.
 It is the treatment of emotional and /or relatedIt is the treatment of emotional and /or related
bodily problems by psychological means.bodily problems by psychological means.

18. Problems Treated withProblems Treated with
PsychotherapyPsychotherapy
 Psychotherapy is an important form ofPsychotherapy is an important form of
treatment for many kinds of psychologicaltreatment for many kinds of psychological
problems.problems.
 Two of the most common problems forTwo of the most common problems for
which people seek help from a therapist arewhich people seek help from a therapist are
depressiondepression andand persistent anxietypersistent anxiety..
 Psychotherapy can often help peoplePsychotherapy can often help people
overcome or manage these problems.overcome or manage these problems.

19.  People experiencing anPeople experiencing an emotional crisisemotional crisis due todue to
marital problems, family disputes, problems at work,marital problems, family disputes, problems at work,
loneliness, or troubled social relationships may alsoloneliness, or troubled social relationships may also
benefit from psychotherapy.benefit from psychotherapy.
 Other problems often treated with psychotherapyOther problems often treated with psychotherapy
include obsessive-compulsive disorder,include obsessive-compulsive disorder,
 Personality disorders,Personality disorders,
 Alcoholism and other forms of drug dependence,Alcoholism and other forms of drug dependence,
 Problems stemming from child abuse,Problems stemming from child abuse,
 And behavioral problems, such as eating disordersAnd behavioral problems, such as eating disorders
and juvenile delinquency.and juvenile delinquency.

20.  Mental health professionals do not rely onMental health professionals do not rely on
psychotherapy to treat schizophrenia, a severepsychotherapy to treat schizophrenia, a severe
mental illness.mental illness.
 Drugs are used to treat this disorder. However,Drugs are used to treat this disorder. However,
some psychotherapeutic techniques may helpsome psychotherapeutic techniques may help
people with schizophrenia learn appropriate socialpeople with schizophrenia learn appropriate social
skills and skills for managing anxiety.skills and skills for managing anxiety.
 Another severe mental illness, bipolar disorderAnother severe mental illness, bipolar disorder
(popularly called manic depression), is treated(popularly called manic depression), is treated
with drugs or a combination of drugs andwith drugs or a combination of drugs and
psychotherapy.psychotherapy.
Not suitable for Severe illnessNot suitable for Severe illness

21. Unwanted Effects of PsychotherapyUnwanted Effects of Psychotherapy
(1) Patients may become excessively dependent on(1) Patients may become excessively dependent on
therapy or therapist.therapy or therapist.
(2) Intensive psychotherapy may be distressing to(2) Intensive psychotherapy may be distressing to
the patient and result in exacerbation of symptomsthe patient and result in exacerbation of symptoms
and deterioration in relationships.and deterioration in relationships.
(3) Disorders for which physical treatments would be(3) Disorders for which physical treatments would be
more appropriate may be missed.more appropriate may be missed.
(4) Ineffective psychotherapy wastes time money(4) Ineffective psychotherapy wastes time money
and damages patient's morale.and damages patient's morale.

22. Ethical considerationsEthical considerations
 In helping their clients, all therapists follow a codeIn helping their clients, all therapists follow a code
of ethics.of ethics.
 First, all therapy is confidential.First, all therapy is confidential.
 Also, therapists avoid dual relationships withAlso, therapists avoid dual relationships with
clients—that is, being friends outside of therapy orclients—that is, being friends outside of therapy or
maintaining a business relationship.maintaining a business relationship.
 Ethical therapists also do not engage in sexualEthical therapists also do not engage in sexual
relationships with clients, and do not accept asrelationships with clients, and do not accept as
clients, people with whom they have been sexuallyclients, people with whom they have been sexually
intimate.intimate.

23. Conclusion: The Therapist-ClientConclusion: The Therapist-Client
RelationshipRelationship
 Effectiveness of therapy depends to a largeEffectiveness of therapy depends to a large
extent on the quality of the relationshipextent on the quality of the relationship
between the client and therapist.between the client and therapist.
 The better the rapport is between therapistThe better the rapport is between therapist
and client, the better the outcome ofand client, the better the outcome of
therapy.therapy.
 For clients, trusting that the therapist canFor clients, trusting that the therapist can
provide help for their problems is essentialprovide help for their problems is essential
for making progress.for making progress.