Psychotherapy
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a form of speech-based therapy. The tool used is the interview, through which we are encouraged to express moods, sensations, emotions (sometimes even those acquired in childhood) that have to do with thoughts and behaviors considered inadequate. The purpose of psychotherapy is to help the individual to achieve greater awareness of how to cope with the difficulties that life presents. Furthermore, psychotherapy tries to help clients build a different and richer self-image.
Psychotherapy is useful in solving:
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relationship difficulties
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emotional problems
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stressful situations
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of therapy that encourages the person to describe and express feelings and experiences in words. The therapist tries to help the client to look at contradictory issues and aspects that are difficult to recognize or understand. Here is a list that can help you to better understand what the psychodynamic therapist does in practice:
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gives a lot of importance to the affections and emotions
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explores how the person has handled disturbing thoughts and emotions so far
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identifies recurring patterns
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discusses past experience
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looks closely at interpersonal relationships (friendship, family ...)
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cherishes the therapeutic relationship
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explores fantasies and imaginative life
How to choose your therapist
The first meeting with a therapist can be experienced with concern. Here are some guidelines for deciding if the person helping you is the right one for you. There are two basic criteria that only you are able to assess. First you have to feel comfortable with the person in front of you. Sympathy and trust are the first qualities that a therapist must instill in you. The second feature to take into consideration is to see if you feel better after the first session. If these two aspects are not present, change therapist.! Let's now focus on the "good" therapist.
According to a study (Okiishi, 2003) a good therapist should do the following:
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knows how to establish and build a relationship
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agrees at the beginning of the therapy one or more objectives to be achieved
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doesn't use technical jargon
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gives suggestions only when asked
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gets involved in your problem but remain objective
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does not believe that therapy must necessarily be painful
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supports when painful sensations arise
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is able to help you develop your own skills
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helps exploit and develop the resources you already own
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takes into account the effects that therapy can have on your life and loved ones
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is able to deeply relax and teach
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is able to think about difficulties and problems in a new and constructive way
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offers you the minimum number of sessions necessary
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encourages self-confidence (promotes autonomy and independence)
The psychotherapist does not give advice. The therapist's goal is to make you rediscover your voice, your priorities and to help you find the courage to act on them!
Confidentiality
Is it true?
What happens in the session is bound by confidentiality. In other words, what is shared in the therapy room stays in the room.
There are two circumstances for which this secrecy could be partially modified (always with your consent): if requested by a judge (duty to report) or for serious dangers to life (yours or that of third parties).
Sometimes I want to exchange views with a colleague, I do this for the patient's well-being (maybe there is something I didn't see etc.).
Under these circumstances I only share information that is relevant to the clinical 'doubt'.
Your sensitive data will never be shared with anyone without your consent.
A psychotherapy session should be considered as space and time dedicated to ourselves. During the session we have the freedom to talk about what happens to us in everyday life. The therapist welcomes what we decide to bring and helps us understand why certain things happen to us rather than others.
What will I do?
You will talk about your emotions, not just your thoughts this can help you become more aware of how you are feeling. Just talking about your emotions, especially those you keep hidden, has a great therapeutic effect.
You will talk about dreams and fantasies
it helps you to bring out thoughts and emotions that are hidden. Fantasies can also be about thoughts you have about yourself and others, but you can't easily admit. There is no censorship in therapy, which can allow you to think about yourself and others in new ways.
You will set goals :
In the first few sessions you will try to identify what you want to achieve from our meetings. Together we will formulate an action plan.