When is psychotherapy an adequate type of support?

Psychotherapy is a form of psychological support that aims to use psychotherapeutic methods and techniques to help overcome the current psychopathological state, as well as the state of subjective suffering, while at the same time strengthening the functional parts of the personality and behavioral segments that contribute to the maintenance of mental health.

People decide on psychotherapy when they independently assess that they need this kind of help or they can get a recommendation for psychotherapy treatment from a psychiatrist. The psychotherapist's task is to make an assessment of whether psychotherapy work can be started; if not, in the next step it can forward the relevant information which are the options where the person can seek help. In situations where a person is in the process of medical treatment, psychotherapy can support the individual and the family in dealing with a stressful situation and adapting to temporary or new circumstances.

A number of prejudices can be a barrier to people seeking help, which can prevent an individual from creating the belief that mental health problems can be a transitory and changeable condition. The sooner we notice some prejudices in ourselves, the sooner we will be able to open up space for the idea that what is bothering us can be one of the initial elements towards building a new approach and attitude towards ourselves, others and circumstances.

The reason for turning to psychotherapy can be: unpleasant feelings whose intensity disrupts daily functioning, stressful life circumstances, dysfunctional patterns of behavior, problems in communication with loved ones and people in the business environment, etc. Unpleasant feelings do not have to be a necessary sign of psychopathological reaction, however, when they are present in a similar degree of intensity for a certain period of time, the question arises: "What can a person change - in the way of self-care, approach to the environment and everyday situations - in order to reduce the suffering and increase the subjective experience of pleasure?"

Through psychotherapy, a person can learn adequate ways of self-help in stressful situations, accept facts from reality that he cannot influence, improve functional behaviors, develop and nurture unconditional positive self-acceptance and self-evaluation. Psychotherapy has the task of offering new perspectives of observation and understanding of psychological problems - elements that contribute to the development and maintenance of ailments are more precisely observed, psychopathological patterns are diagnosed in relation to oneself and others, it is recognized which healthy psychological needs are behind the developed symptoms and healthy ways of realizing needs and desires are found.

Psychotherapy is an additional type of treatment for individuals undergoing psychiatric treatment. In addition to psychopharmacotherapy, an important segment of recovery is information about the possible prevention of problems in the future: timely recognition, adequate self-help and seeking support; that is, psychological work on the mechanisms of origin and maintenance of problems.

Psychotherapy is a conversation that differs from others - in what way?

People who turn to psychotherapy sometimes say that they have already discussed the psychological problem with someone from their family, friends, or partner. They often state that they want to hear the objective opinion of an expert or that the advice of a friend did not help them and the subjective suffering still exists.

A psychotherapist differs from people who have not been educated in the field of psychotherapy in the way they organize the information they hear from their interlocutors, with mandatory adherence to the principles of the psychological code and psychotherapy ethics. A psychotherapist interprets information through concepts from psychology, psychiatry and psychotherapy.

Some of the questions that can be answered during psychotherapy:

To what extent are psychological problems an adequate response to current life conditions, and in what segment are they an indicator of dysfunctional patterns that exist within the dynamics of personality?
Do certain irrational beliefs about oneself and others make it difficult for a person to overcome a problem?
What are personal strengths and what are obstacles in the process of overcoming problems?
Did a similar kind of unpleasant feeling exist earlier in the experience?

What is goal in psychotherapy?

The goal of psychotherapy is to help an individual move from an undesirable current state to a desired state. This transformation is defined at the beginning of the therapeutic process.

Generally, the objectives of psychotherapeutic change can be understood through the achievement of personal autonomy, which can be more precisely described through the following elements:

Awareness: The readiness to perceive and experience events from the environment in a timely manner, recognizing the realistic aspects of a situation without significant cognitive distortions.

Spontaneity: Having multiple options for expressing thoughts and feelings, as opposed to rigid, habitual reactions. This includes the ability to express current feelings in a socialized way that doesn't threaten others.

Psychological intimacy: The ability to create an interpersonal space based on empathy for others, where feelings, thoughts, and attitudes are expressed directly and clearly (without engaging in psychological games). It's a space where a person reacts spontaneously and authentically.

Here are some examples of more specific goals in psychotherapy:

Empowering the ability to see rational options available in the present.
Developing an empathic approach and care for others while simultaneously strengthening the capacity for adequate self-care and attending to personal needs and desires.
Maintaining personal boundaries in social situations.
Adopting an assertive approach in communication.
Letting go of patterns that have repeatedly led to negative conclusions about oneself and/or others.
Opening up possibilities to experience positive, reparative experiences.
Realizing that past stressful situations and the emotions we reacted with do not have to be recreated in present experience.
Learning how to care for oneself in situations of intense stress or after a traumatic experience.
Finding new ways of approaching situations and behaving that are in line with one's values and goals.

A mental state that represents a problem and a source of discomfort can be the starting point for solving psychological problems, and psychotherapy can be a support in the process of change and personal development.