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Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors through having conversations with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy can help with several different issues, ranging from stress and relationship issues to mental health conditions.
The relationship between therapist and client provides the means of exploring where the past is in the present. For many clients, the interest, attention to detail and curiosity about their feelings and life story is both novel and transformational in itself.
Many people use the words “psychotherapy,” “counseling” and “therapy” to convey the same thing: talk therapy with a mental health professional to help resolve issues or treat mental health conditions.
Although people often use “therapy” as a shortened version of “psychotherapy” (which is a correct substitution), it should be noted that psychotherapy specifically deals with mental, emotional and behavioral issues. There are several other types of therapy for various health conditions, such as speech therapy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, radiation therapy and many more.
Counseling is typically a brief treatment that targets a specific symptom or situation, such as marital or family issues, while psychotherapy is usually a longer-term treatment that attempts to gain more insight into someone’s issues or help with a mental health condition. It’s OK to use the terms interchangeably.
Psychotherapy can benefit anyone who’s struggling with life’s challenges, excessive stress, adjusting to a new life situation or medical condition and/or who has a mental health or behavioral condition. This includes children, adolescents and adults.
Psychotherapy sessions can last a few weeks or months for short-term issues or could last for several months or years for more complex situations or chronic conditions.
Some (but not the only) signs that you or your child may benefit from talk therapy include:
You feel a negative mood most days.
You have lost interest in things that you once enjoyed.
You feel overwhelmed by life, and it’s impacting your mood and daily functioning.
You feel like you can’t control your emotions.
You have anxious, intrusive or racing thoughts.
Your eating and/or sleeping habits have changed.
Certain habits are becoming problematic, such as excessive drinking, drug use, gambling or other risky behaviors.
You’ve experienced trauma, such as a car accident, the death of a loved one or physical or sexual assault.
You have persistently low self-esteem and self-confidence.
You’re experiencing persistent issues with relationships, whether it’s with a romantic partner, family member or co-worker.
You’re having a hard time dealing with stress related to work, family or school.
You’ve been withdrawing from social relationships and/or social activities.
Research shows that about 75% of people who participate in psychotherapy experience some type of benefit and can function better day to day.
Studies also show that psychotherapy improves emotions and behaviors and is linked to positive changes in your brain and body. Other benefits may include:
Fewer sick days.
Less disability.
Active participation in medical decision-making.
Fewer medical issues.
Increased work and life satisfaction.
However, talk therapy isn’t for everyone. Therapy is more likely to work if you:
Are open and honest with your therapist.
Are committed to making positive changes.
Follow your agreed-upon treatment plan.
Are ready to fully commit to therapy and do homework assignments (if applicable).
How long you’ll need psychotherapy depends on several factors, including your specific reason for participating in therapy, what your goals are and if you’re actively trying to work on the issues you’re having.
Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years), dealing with mental health conditions and/or complex issues. Together, you and your therapist will determine the goals of treatment and arrangements for how often and how long you’ll meet.
In one classic study, half of the people who participated in psychotherapy improved after eight sessions, and 75% improved after six months.
You may consider being “done” with therapy when you, with the help of your therapist, have solved the problem that brought you in and you’ve learned new skills so you can better cope with whatever challenges come up in the future.
Many people participate in psychotherapy multiple times throughout their life — whether for the same issue or several different issues.