What Is It?
Psychotherapy may be defined as:
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a process of self-examination, emotional awareness, and growth
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facilitated by a trained therapist educated in human behavior and skilled in techniques to promote personal growth, interpersonal awareness, and change
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with the goal of change in attitudes;feelings and behavior that will enhance the ability to enjoy life and relationships.
Although therapy was originally developed to help very disturbed people, therapists today deal with a wide variety of issues. The most frequent reasons for seeking help are:
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during crises such as loss of a relationship, divorce, problems with children, illness, or job burnout
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for relief from on-going problems such as depression, relationship problems, marital conflict, job crises, drug/alcohol abuse
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for personal growth: enrichment of personal relationships, career development, increased self-confidence, and self-esteem.
Who needs it?
We all have times when we feel frightened, depressed, or confused. How can you tell if you or someone close to your needs professional help? Begin by evaluating three important areas:
Begin by evaluating three important areas:
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Self-esteem: Do you like yourself? Do you see only your weaknesses? Do you consistently feel less valuable than others or take the blame for anything that goes wrong?
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Activity Level: Do you participate in a variety of social and career activities? Is your activity level passively low or frenzied but
unproductive? Are you doing too little toward getting what you want?
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Connectedness: Do you have social acquaintances? a number of familiar friends? at least one or two friends or family members with whom you talk candidly & share feelings?
After you've rated yourself, check your perceptions by asking an honest friend or relative to rate you, too.
If you're considering therapy, it's normal to have some doubts and fears. Whatever they are, it's important to tell the therapist how you're feeling. Problems must be accurately defined before they can be solved; this can happen only when the therapist has a complete picture of your situation.
Psychotherapists may obtain their training in a number of professional disciplines:
PSYCHOLOGISTS hold a PhD. or PsyD. in Clinical or Counseling Psychology or an EdD. in Counseling or Educational Psychology. Their training includes 4 years of graduate course work and a dissertation. A year of post-doctoral, supervised experience and a written exam for licensure. Master's level psychologists (M.A.) complete 2 years of graduate work and write a thesis. They are certified by written examination.
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS (MSW OR MSSW) have completed 2 years of academic work plus a thesis project and supervised clinical experience. ACSWs have also completed 2 years of supervised postgraduate clinical experience and passed a written national examination.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPISTS hold a doctorate or master's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy or other mental health field, with specialized training and supervision in marriage and family therapy. Clinical Members of AAMFT (Am. Assoc. of Marriage & Family Therapy) have an additional 2 years of postgraduate training.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS have a PhD. or M.A. in Counseling or related mental health field and are licensed in some states. Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CCMHC) have completed 3000 hours of supervised clinical work and passed national written and work sample exams.
PSYCHIATRISTS are physicians (M.D. or D.O.) who have completed a 3 year psychiatric residency following medical school. They are the only therapists who may prescribe drugs.
PSYCHOANALYSTS may be any mental health professional (but are usually psychiatrists) who have completed postgraduate training in the psychoanalytic theories of Freud, Jung, and others at an analytic training institute.
When choosing a therapist, find someone you feel comfortable with and ask any questions you have about their education & training, years in practice, theoretical approach, assessment of your problems. and views on specific issues such as sex roles. marriage, dlivorce, religion, homosexuality, and so forth. No single therapist is equipped to deal effectively with all types of clients.
The personal qualities of the therapist and therapist/client rapport are more important than the specific type of therapy employed.
