Understanding Psychotherapy & Finding the Right Psychotherapist

Psychotherapy strategies vary in terms of their focus. Some may center on behavior, others on emotions, and others may focus on relating to others. Psychotherapy can also vary in terms of philosophical or theoretical foundation.

Some strategies focus more on making meaning out of experiences, others on examining and changing core beliefs, while yet others focus on becoming aware of what is in one’s subconscious.

Ultimately, psychotherapy is working with a professional therapist who can help guide your thinking and behaviors in ways that benefit your mental health. It can look so different from person to person because your therapy will focus on what you need and the techniques that are most suited to you.

One important point to note is that of psychotherapy vs therapy. The terms are often used interchangeably, though they do have different meanings. Therapy is a general term that can refer to other therapies like physical therapy, vocational therapy, and speech therapy. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, refers to the treatment of mental health concerns.

Core Principles of Psychotherapy

Regardless of the type of psychotherapy strategy, there are core principles that, if followed by therapists, lead to more positive outcomes.

Respecting Patient Autonomy

No matter the type of psychotherapy, therapists respect their patients’ autonomy. This happens in numerous ways, one being establishing the course of treatment based on the patient’s current goals. Another way of honoring patient autonomy is understanding that the patient may not follow a specific recommendation.

Patient autonomy is important to mental health because, at the very least, therapy is the one situation in which the patient has control—they may not have a sense of control in other areas of their life. Giving the patient this control allows them to more readily participate and receive the psychotherapy and it honors their knowledge of their own needs and boundaries.

Empathizing with the Patient

Psychotherapy should be empathetic. This means that the psychotherapist can imagine themselves in the patient’s shoes and appreciate the weight of their experiences. Empathy is at the core of facilitating mental health because, in their personal lives, patients often experience a lot of undue judgment and very little empathy.

Having a Strong Therapeutic Alliance

Regardless of the therapy strategy used, it is not likely to be effective unless the patient experiences themselves and the therapist as a team that is working toward their goals together. Strong mental health is fostered by the patient remaining in therapy and trusting their therapist, which is more likely if they experience empathy from and alliance with their therapist.

Honoring the Patient’s Cultural Framework

The most effective psychotherapy is the one that respects and works within the patient’s cultural context. This can be invaluable because culture gives context for a patient’s life experiences, and understanding and respecting the patient’s culture is an important part of their autonomy and in developing a strong working alliance.

Types of Psychotherapy and Their Approaches

Various schools of thought exist in psychotherapy. Some psychotherapists mainly use one therapeutic approach while others may integrate a few different approaches in their work. In addition, some concerns that bring the patient to therapy may be more suited to one type of psychotherapy than another. Let’s look at the most prominent types of psychotherapy and how they’re used.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic therapy works to explore the unconscious mind and help the patient to become aware of what has been in their subconscious. This can create profound insight for the patient and help them recognize deep-rooted reasons for their behavior, problems, or dissatisfactions.

Defense mechanisms are a significant part of psychodynamic theory. People instinctively take these actions to protect themselves from the types of difficulties they experienced in childhood. Insight and clarity on their behavior can help them to experience self-compassion and the motivation to dismantle those defense mechanisms in order to increase their life satisfaction.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy is a structured form of therapy that is based on the idea that therapy is a microcosm of the patient’s world and that the patient relates to the therapist the same way that they do to others in their life. The therapist uses the dynamics of the therapy relationship as a tool to teach interpersonal skills like communication, empathy, and compassion.

Existential Psychotherapy

Existential psychotherapy helps the patient to create meaning and purpose from their experiences. This is especially used for issues over which people have little control, like grief and loss. Creating meaning can make it easier to be more at peace with their losses or struggles.

Client Centered Psychotherapy

Client centered psychotherapy is a very fluid and non-directive approach to therapy. The belief is that unconditional positive regard and empathy for the patient are enough to guide them toward their own answers. Using open-ended questions and validation, the therapist encourages the patient to do most of the talking and processing.

Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured form of psychotherapy that helps the patient explore how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors all affect each other.

The therapist helps them to identify their core beliefs about themselves and the world that they learned from early life experiences. By changing unhelpful, negative beliefs into positive ones, the patient can start to experience more positive emotions and engage in healthier behavior.

The Role of Psychotherapy in Counseling and Therapy

While psychotherapy can stand on its own, it is also used in broader contexts. For instance, it is incorporated into the overall inpatient treatment of substance use disorders along with medical, educational, and case management services.

Another example of a broader context is that of health psychology. For instance, a therapist in a hospital setting can work with patients dealing with significant health concerns like cancer – while the patient’s oncologist treats their physical illness, the health psychologist helps them process and cope with the emotional aspects of their diagnosis.

No matter the type of psychotherapy, according to the American Journal of Psychiatry, research has found it to be effective in treating various conditions like depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, trauma, and eating disorders.

Given that there is no “best” type of psychotherapy, it is important to consider your own needs when looking for a psychotherapist. One process you can use is:

Determine your goals for psychotherapy, whether that be reducing depression, increasing self-confidence, strengthening relationships, etc.
Consider the different types of psychotherapy and what they focus on, and how they work.
Determine which type or types resonate with you the most.
Search for psychotherapists who use those approaches in their work and interview them. What is most important is that you feel comfortable with the therapist.

Common Questions About Psychotherapy

What is the Difference Between Psychotherapy and Therapy?

Therapy is a general term that can refer to psychotherapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, etc. Psychotherapy refers specifically to the treatment of psychological, interpersonal, or mental health conditions.

How Do I Find the Best Psychotherapist Near Me?

Some ways to find the best psychotherapist include:

Seeking recommendations from friends or family
Searching online based on your location and reading reviews from their previous patients
Speaking to your primary care provider for a referral
Searching for mental health agencies in your area
Interviewing a few psychotherapists near you to get a sense of their style and your comfort level with them

Is Psychotherapy Effective for Anxiety and Depression?

Yes, psychotherapy can be very effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. In some cases, the most effective option could be to combine psychotherapy with psychiatric medications for these conditions.

What Qualifications Should Psychotherapists Near Me Have?

A psychotherapist should be a licensed mental health professional. These include credentials like:

Psychiatrists (MD)
Psychologists (PhD or PsyD)
Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC)
Licensed professional counselors (LPC)
Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT)
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), and
Licensed alcohol and drug counselors (LADC)

Being licensed as a therapist means that they can see patients on their own without a supervisor. The therapist needs to be licensed in the jurisdiction or state in which you reside.

Can I Do Psychotherapy Online?

Yes, you can do psychotherapy online, and it has become even more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. You can search for online psychotherapy or ask therapists in your area if they provide telehealth services. No matter where the psychotherapist is located, they should be licensed in the area or state in which you reside.

What Is a Psychotherapist?

A psychotherapist is a professional who provides mental health treatment via talk therapy.

They may also coordinate care with other providers involved in your treatment, such as general practitioners or psychiatrists who can prescribe medication to treat the physiological aspects of mental health conditions.

Psychotherapists must receive didactic training at least at a master’s level. Part of the requirement for a master’s degree is practicums, which involve working with patients under a supervisor.

After graduating with a master’s degree, they may also need to work under supervision for a certain number of hours to earn their own license.

It is important to distinguish between a psychotherapist vs psychologist. Psychologist is a legally protected term. A psychologist must graduate with a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) and then meet psychologist licensure requirements in their state.

A psychotherapist, on the other hand, is a general term for anyone with at least a master’s degree who provides mental health counseling.

How to Find Psychotherapy Near Me

There is no right way to search for a psychotherapist. You can start by searching online for therapists in your area. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family members who you know have worked with a psychotherapist.

You can also ask your other medical providers for referrals. No matter how you locate potential therapists, it is a good idea to first talk with them and gauge your comfort level with them.

Important factors to consider before scheduling with a therapist include:

Their specialties and credentials
Their therapy approach
The rate they charge per session
Insurance plans they accept
Your comfort level with them
Whether or not they offer telehealth

There are pros and cons to both meeting with a therapist in person and online. Online therapy can be more convenient as it can happen in the comfort of your home and allows you to avoid a commute. It can also help maintain your privacy. On the other hand, in-person therapy is largely immune to technical difficulties and allows for more of a personal connection with the therapist.