Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illness and emotional difficulties by talking with a mental health professional.

1. PSYCHOTHERAPY
PRESENTED BY:
MS. MONIKA KANWAR
NURSING TUTOR
M.SC. (N) MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2. INTRODUCTION
• As human beings, most people experience various kinds of
emotional difficulties at some time or other in their lives.
• These emotional problems are frequently related to several kinds of
undesirable life experiences. Problems related to family, work,
education, finance, health, marriage, relationships with other
people
• At times these problems may become so severe and so unbearable
that unpleasant symptoms of anxiety and depression may result in
interference with normal functioning.
• Treatment methods most effective in these situations involve the
principles of psychotherapy and counselling. The focus of treatment
is to communicate with the individual in distress, understand the
source of problem, and utilize specific psychological remedies to
deal with the problems effectively.

3. CONTD…..
• In 1853, Walter Cooper Dendy introduced the term
“Psychotherapeia” regarding how physician might influence
the mental states of suffers and their bodily ailments.
• In late 1800s, Sigmund Freud (now known as the father of
Psychotherapy) developed psychoanalysis, an early form of
Psychotherapy.
• Psychotherapy is an English word derived from Ancient Greek
Psyche (meaning “breath, spirit, soul) and therapia (healing,
medical treatment).
• The treatment of disease by ‘Psychi’ (i.e. hypnotic) methods.
• The term “Psychological” means to cover a number of
techniques which are mediated by verbal interaction (listening
and talking).

4. DEFINITION
Psychotherapy also called as Talk Therapy has been defined in various ways.
Briefly it can be defined as “the treatment of emotional and/or related bodily
problems by psychological means”.
OR
Psychotherapy is the treatment of disorders of the mind or personality by
psychological or psycho-physiological methods.
According to Frederik Van Eeden, 1892
OR
Psychotherapy as the relief of distress or disability in one person by another,
using an approach based on a particular theory or paradigm, and a
requirement that the agent performing the therapy had some form of training
in delivering this.
According to Jerome Frank

5. CONTD…..
• Wolberg defined psychotherapy as “the treatment by
psychological means, of problems of an emotional nature, in
which a trained person (therapist) deliberately establishes a
professional relationship with the patient to
- Remove, modify or retard existing symptoms.
- Mediate disturbed patterns of behavior, and/or
- Promote positive personality growth and development
• However, psychotherapy is the development of a trusting
relationship, which allows free communication and leads to
understanding, integration and acceptance of self.

6. GOALS OF
PSYCHOTHERAPIES
• To improve an individual’s well-being and mental health.
• To resolve troublesome behaviors, beliefs, compulsions, thoughts, or
emotions.
• To improve relationships and social skills of an individual.
• To enhance insight and adaptive coping skills.
• To improve problems solving skills, facilitate reframing of cognitions
and changes in behavior.

7. TYPES OF
PSYCHOTHERAPIES
TYPES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
1. Depth of
probing/inquiring the
unconscious mind:
- Superficial or short-term
(Also known as
supportive psychotherapy)
- Deep or long-term (Also
known as analytical
psychotherapy
- Educative (Also known
as counselling)
2. Based on the number
of patients treated per
session:
- Individual
psychotherapy: Only one
patient per session
- Group psychotherapy:
Treatment of group of
patients (10-12) per
session
- Family Psychotherapy
3. Based on theoretical
formulation:
- Supportive
Psychotherapy: Focused
on symptoms elimination
by giving guidance,
advice and reassurance.
- Re-educative
Psychotherapy: Focused
on teaching of new
pattern of behavior and
social skills.
- Reconstructive
Psychotherapy: Aims to
dismantle and rebuild the
new personality

8. INDICATIONS OF
PSYCHOTHERAPIES
• Neurotic illness
• Psychosomatic illness
• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Mania
• Psychotic states
• Alcoholism
• Drug Addiction
• Sexual deviation
• Personality Disorders
• Marital disharmony

9. CONTD….
Psychotherapy can help with a number of life’s stresses and conflicts
that can affect anyone. It may help in:
• Resolve Conflicts
• Relieve Anxiety due to work or other situations
• Cope with major life changes such as divorce, the death of a loved
one or the loss of a job
• Learn to manage unhealthy reactions such as road rage or passive-
aggressive behavior
• Recover from physical or sexual abuse
• Cope with sexual problems, whether they’re due to a physical or
psychological cause.
• Sleep better

10. CONTRAINDICATIONS OF
PSYCHOTHERAPIES
• Acute Psychosis (e.g. Psychotic depression, Mania, Schizophrenia)
• Organic mental Disorders (e.g. Dementia)
• Antisocial Personality Disorder and Severe Borderline Personality
Disorder5
• Severe Substance use problems
• Poor Psychological Insight
• Suicidal or Homicidal patient

11. LIMITATIONS OF
PSYCHOTHERAPIES
• It is not possible to administer for uncooperative patient.
• Difficult in cases of clients with low intellectual capacities, as
to develop insight into the situation adequate intellectual
capacities are essential.

12. UNWANTED EFFECTS OF
PSYCHOTHERAPIES
• Patient may become excessively dependent on therapy or
therapist.
• Intensive Psychotherapy may be distressing to the patient and
result in exacerbation of symptoms and deterioration in
relationships.
• Disorders for which physical treatments would be more
appropriate may be missed.
• Ineffective psychotherapy wastes time and money, and
damages patient’s morale.