What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is an interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in problems of living. This usually includes increasing an individual's sense of well-being and reducing subjective discomforts.  Psychotherapists employ a range of techniques, such as relationship building, dialogue, communication and behavior change, which are designed to improve the mental health of a client or to improve group relationships.

Do you need psychotherapy?

Many people experience sadness, anxiety, stress, job conflicts, and relationship difficulties:  everyday life is full of stresses--when they become overwhelming, making formerly simple tasks irksome, difficult or even impossible, you may need to talk with a professional.  When you feel that you can no longer maintain your daily life in a way that provides pleasure and satisfaction part of the time, if you are fearful of the consequences of self-expression to significant others, or if you want help sorting out feelings or thoughts, you may want to talk with a psychotherapist.

It's NOT a good idea to wait until you are so overwhelmed that nothing is fun anymore, and you are becoming dysfunctional at your occupation or in your relationships.  As a psychologist, I believe that a mentally healthy person is capable of working, loving, and playing (I borrowed some of Freud's concepts).

Serious emotional problems may appear after a period of chronic stress or after what is perceived to be a crisis in living, such as a death or divorce.  Many of our childhood experiences can "scar" us in some way that only becomes apparent in adulthood.  Signals that there is an emotional problem show up over time, and could include:

1. Increasing difficulty in getting on with others
2. Inability to stop thinking about problems
3. Inability to change unsatisfactory behavior
4. Erratic sleep patterns, changes in appetite
5. Increasing feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt
6. Fearfulness of certain situations or people
7. Suspicions of others, including those who may try to help you
8. Excessive anger or frequent irritability
9. Feelings of hopelessness about oneself or the future
10. Physical symptoms that are found to have no medical basis
11. Loss of meaningfulness in living 

How To Choose a Psychotherapist

Here are some things to think about when searching for the right match:

Psychotherapist Labels

What you really need is a therapist who will connect with you, but there are some important differences in the degrees and credentials.  Here are the basics:

Psychiatrist.  A medical doctor, who has done a residency in psychiatry in a clinic or hospital setting.  They alone can prescribe medications, and many do not do psychotherapy.

LMSW.  A licensed master's-degreed social worker who has trained in clinical, versus administrative, social work and has been supervised in practice for a required amount of time.

L.P.C.  A licensed professional counselor, who may hold either a master's or a doctoral degree.  Their academic courses may be in counseling or education or psychology, and they also have been supervised for a required period.

Location, Location
Proximity is actually very important. People make excuses when it comes to therapy: "I can't make my appointment today because it's too far..." Location should not become an obstacle.

Comfort Level

Ask yourself if you'll be more comfortable with a male or female therapist. Or, if you need one who speaks Spanish, Chinese or Arabic.

The Right Stuff
Often a therapist focuses on specific issues such as eating disorders, sexual dysfunction or mood disorders; ask about their specializations and treatment modalities.  Therapists often work more with certain populations, such as adolescents, gay couples, and seniors.  It's okay to ask about therapy outcomes, too.

Make Contact
Contact two or three therapists. You will most likely get voicemail. Don't hang up; leave your name and number.  Then allow a day or so for a callback, and if you don't get one, call again--message systems sometimes fail.

On your first visit, ask yourself, "Do we click?"  Is it easy to talk?  Do you feel a connection with your therapist?  For you to reveal yourself, you will need to feel safe and at ease and positively regarded.

In The Pocket
When a therapist seems right, discuss fees and insurance issues before making an appointment.  You may also need to inquire about a flexible fee schedule adjusted to your needs or income.  The work of psychotherapy begins in the first meeting, so do not expect a free session, though some therapists may offer that.