Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the designation of psychological treatment and there are various therapeutic areas and many methods. The best scientifically supported method is cognitive therapy. It deals with the way that people think. Psychotherapy is based on a theoretical model, on clinical observations and an equal cooperation between patient and therapist.
If you are depressed, you know a lot about how it feels to be depressed. The therapist on the other hand knows a lot about the course of people's reactions and how changes can happen.
The psychotherapists specialise in the following areas:
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- psychodynamic theory
- systemic therapy
- existential humanistic therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy's goal is to
- create a good alliance between you and your therapy
- make a thorough assessment of your problem
- find realistic goals for the treatment
- change the behaviour
- change the thoughts
- change the feelings
- help you achieve the necessary changes
If you are suffering from depression, the therapist will teach you to
- use methods that will reduce anxiety
- use methods that will increase your activity and mood
- build up your social skills
- build up your self-esteem
- regulate your feelings
- solve problems
There are different methods which correspond to different mental problems and conditions. It depends on the individual how much therapy is needed. But an average course of therapy is about 12-20 sessions if you are suffering from moderate depression. Read more about cognitive therapy in depression.
Psychodynamic therapy
The treatment is based on Freud's theory on psychosexual stages, unconscious conflicts and defence mechanisms. In supportive conversations, where the therapist listens sympathetically, the emphasis is on which strategies "the conscious self" (the ego) uses to defend itself against anxiety.
The therapist puts the emphasis on insight. Your therapist furthermore uses methods such as uncovering and interpretation, free associations and interpretation of dreams. The treatment usually lasts for several years and from a scientific point of view its effect has only been documented as being limited.
Systemic therapy
The treatment takes its starting point in your surroundings and relations with others. The therapist often works with your family. What is being said - to whom and when? In systemic therapy, you learn how you can change inappropriate communication and problems in relation to others.
Systemic therapy is also suitable for working with relations and communication in organisations. The treatment varies in duration and consists of solving and advisory conversations. Not a lot of research is being done in this area.
Existential humanistic therapy
Most of the psychotherapeutic schools know and use the ideas of the great humanists. In existential humanistic therapy, the therapist focuses on what is meaningful to you and on your unique way at looking at yourself and the world.
The therapist works with the unpredictable and transient aspects of your life. The treatment consists of supportive conversations, role play, psychodrama etc. It is difficult to do any research in this form of psychotherapy, as the goals are not tangible and specific, and we therefore don't really know the effect.