Psychotherapy—the process of talking out issues with a trained professional—is a vital tool in the treatment of psychological disorders. Sharing problems, expressing feelings, and receiving constructive guidance from a trained professional can be the keysovery.

Effective psychotherapy is based on an open and trusting relationship between therapist and patient. If you are looking for a therapist, keep looking until you find someone with whom you believe you could develop this type of relationship. Go with your gut instinct. If you don’t seem to be connecting with a certain professional, keep looking until you find someone that you trust and who understands you. When you are looking for a therapist, ask questions about the therapist’s background, experience, and area of expertise. Ask if the therapist accepts your type of medical insurance. You could ask what kind of results you can expect from being in psychotherapy; setting goals for your treatment early in psychotherapy can alslpful.

Several different types of psychotherapy exist. The primary branches of psycpy are:

Exploratory— also called psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapies, these types of therapies are based on the belief that present problems can be treated by exploring the unconscious conflicts e past

Directive—often called CBTs (cognitive-behavioral therapies), these therapies attempt to challenge and reframe a person’s self-destructive thought patterns and behavior by countering negative, irrational thoughts. These therapies are active and learning-oriented.

Experiential—describes therapies that are connected by the belief that humans are spiritual beings; spiritual as well as psychological and physical issues are addressed in these therapies. Often, questions of meaning and purpose in the patient’s life are essed.

Some factors in seeking a st are:

1. Gut reactions—is this a person I can trust? Do I feel comfortable with this person? Do I feel that this person is responsible enough to bear myences?
2. References. Talk to friends, your minister, your doctor, former patients of a particular therapist. Find someone who knows the tt well.
3. The therapist’s experience with your type of psychological order.
4. The therapist’s openness to medication as a part of treatment.
5. The therapist’s ability to be active in treating you; a good therapist will not only listen, but will also be directive and helpful when needed. A therapist should never ignore or look down on a patneeds.

References:

Undoing ression by Richard O. Connor, copyright 1997 by Little, Brown and Company