Psychotherapy is a process that encourages people to explore and come to understand their difficulties at some depth. This is achieved by forming a trusting relationship with the therapist in a secure and confidential setting that facilitates a sense of openness and enquiry. Therapy is conducted in an environment of non-judgemental exploration in which the focus is on understanding not on blame.

Differences between psychotherapy and counselling

The major differences can be summarised as being related to differences in depth, breadth, intensity and duration, and a psychotherapeutic emphasis on exploration versus support. Psychotherapy places more emphasis on the broad, open-ended exploration of potentially relevant issues in a way that is more intensive, in depth and generally of longer duration than a purely counselling orientation. 

For some individuals it may be appropriate to attend psychotherapy sessions at a frequency of more than once a week. Counsellors usually work shorter term and in a more problem focused way than psychotherapists and with greater emphasis on advice concerning the practical steps that might be taken to resolve the presenting issue.

As a rule counselling is appropriate for addressing a particular problem or life event such as bereavement or the aftermath of a specific trauma. Psychotherapy is appropriate for dealing with longer term issues when current problems are entrenched in long standing, repeating patterns of behaviour or when a recent trauma causes intense and prolonged suffering indicating that older wounds may have been activated. 

How does psychotherapy help?

Psychotherapy provides a quiet, confidential and boundaried space in which to explore difficulties in your life and to process thoughts, feelings, memories and dreams. Psychotherapy above all is a relationship; it is a collaborative process and the relationship with the therapist is central to the work. 

Most people coming to therapy for the first time have never before told their story or allowed themselves the time to develop trust in another person so that they can reflect on their lives and develop a new understanding of who they are. Past experiences may have left emotional hurts which can disable us in various ways and lead to behaviours in the present which we find baffling and distressing. Often strong feelings of anger, fear or pain are associated with the past and need to be experienced and shared with someone else so that their intensity can begin to be relieved. 

Telling the story of our lives in a place where emotions can be safely contained and reflected upon can allow connections to be made and light to be shed on experiences which hitherto we have been unable to understand. Freed from the distorting weight of our unresolved past, new ways of behaving become available to us and new horizons become possible.

Who can benefit from psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is suited to helping adults with a wide range of concerns. Concerns may be quite specific such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicidal feelings, sexual abuse and obsessive thoughts and behaviours. They may also be more widespread such as difficulties in relationships or a sense of dissatisfaction with oneself and one’s life.

This therapy is often sought to bring relief from the impact of trauma including that experienced in childhood. It may also be sought by individuals seeking greater self-understanding and self-awareness in search of greater creativity and fulfillment.