Meah Blog

Let’s talk treatments: Psychotherapy

In celebration of National Psychotherapy Day on September 25th, we wanted to share a bit about therapy and why we love it so much! It truly is one of the most effective treatment options available for a wide variety of symptoms, and is something we recommend to most of our patients. We hope these posts will inspire you try therapy if you haven’t yet!

Psychotherapy has been around since the 1800’s, though many agree that there were forms of therapeutic practice around long before that! It’s a treatment approach that has absolutely withstood the test of time, and with good reason.

What is therapy?

Therapy or psychotherapy is a professional process where individuals work with a trained mental health expert to address and manage emotional, psychological, or behavioral issues. It offers a structured setting where people can openly discuss their thoughts and feelings in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.

Are there different types of therapy?

There are many different of types of therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Psychosomatic Therapy and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy or Psychoanalysis, just to name a few! Depending on the symptoms an individual is struggling with, a therapist may choose one type of therapy over another.

Though the modality may differ, in general, the goal of psychotherapy is to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and use that knowledge to create intentional and meaningful change with the goal of living a richer and more fulfilling life. In therapy you will discuss your past, present and future in different ways, and explore how each of them may be affecting you in the present.

What are the long-term benefits of therapy?

The list of long-term benefits of therapy are many, but in general, therapy can help individuals better understand the root cause of their suffering. It also helps develop an understanding of why you may act or react to situations in a certain way. This deeper understanding of our thought processes and behaviors fosters self-compassion and empathy, forging the path to self-acceptance and self-love. Importantly, with this better understanding of yourself, therapy can help you more efficiently and effectively create positive change in your life, both now and in the future.

How can I set myself up for success in therapy?

There are a few key factors that can set individuals up for success when it comes to therapy, no matter what symptoms they’re working on:

Trust: First, therapy is built upon trust between the patient and the therapist. This can take time, so don’t worry if you don’t feel it right away. Your therapist will work with you to slowly build the therapeutic relationship so you feel comfortable sharing elements of your past as well as your thoughts and feelings in an authentic way.
Clearly defined goals: Second, it’s important to set and regularly re-evaluate your goals in therapy. Like any treatment modality, the goal is progress; to make progress, you need a clear direction.
Honesty: Third, honesty is crucial in the therapeutic relationship. Your therapist can only help you if they truly understand you, and hiding parts of your past or current self will only serve to hinder your progress. This also goes for honesty within the therapeutic relationship – if you feel that your therapist isn’t the right fit for you, if you don’t feel like you’re making progress in the right areas, or if something they’ve done or said has upset you, it’s important to let them know.
Openness: Another important contributor to success in therapy is openness. One of the coolest parts about therapy is working with your therapist to challenge your perspectives, including the beliefs you have about yourself and the world around you. It’s important to remember that our belief system about ourselves and our world is often skewed by experiences we’ve had, both positive and negative. During your treatment, part of the therapist’s job is to challenge those maladaptive thought patterns or negative belief systems that may be holding you back, and being open to hearing and exploring a new perspective is an important contributor to growth.
Commitment: Finally, commitment is key. Therapy is hard, it’s uncomfortable and it’s frequently messy. But, it’s pushing through those parts that ensures growth. However, that means you’ve got to show up, commit to taking what you learn in session to real life, and do the homework that’s agreed upon by you and your therapist. Without this level of commitment, it’s challenging to make meaningful progress.

At Meah Modern Psychiatry, our Psychotherapists are trained in a wide variety of therapeutic modalities and focus on creating an individualized therapy treatment plan which may include one or even multiple types of therapy. With a psychotherapeutic treatment plan tailored specifically to you including individualized goals to help track your progress, our therapists will help you reach your highest potential.

Let’s talk treatments: Psychotherapy

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