What is Psychotherapy ?

Psychotherapy is often called “talking therapy” and is a collaborative treatment process for emotional discomfort and distress based on the relationship between a client  and a psychotherapist. It provides a warm, supportive and confidential environment that allows you to talk openly with a qualified and experienced professional who is non-judgmental, empathic and authentic in their relationship with you. There are many different forms of psychotherapy, each with its unique advantages and specialities. However, research shows that it is the relationship between the client and therapist which is the most important factor in the outcome of therapy.

The term psychotherapy derives from Ancient Greek psyche (meaning “breath”, “spirit” or “soul”) and therapeia (meaning, “healing” or “treatment”). The word psychotherapy is sometimes used interchangeably with the word “counselling”, and although there are many similarities, psychotherapy tends to be a deeper, thorough and more intense process.

Sessions are by appointment only and conducted one-to-one with a qualified and experienced therapist. A session is typically an hour long and attended once or twice a week. For therapy to be effective, we recommend a minimum of twenty consecutive weekly sessions.  You may begin to notice changes in how you feel after a few sessions. Depending on the depth and intensity of the issues and your individual needs , psychotherapy may continue for a few months to a few years.

If you are new to psychotherapy, you may find these youtube videos and links below useful to give you an introduction to the field. We do not own these videos or links, they are simply resources available freely online, created by other organisations,that we are directing you towards. Please feel free to Contact us if you would like to know more. You may find that the best way to understand psychotherapy is to meet a therapist for an initial session and see how it feels for you.  It is important to give yourself space and time to discern how you feel with your therapist so that you can know if she is a good fit for you.

Other resources:

The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists  (BACP) has a web page on What is therapy and counselling?

An article about the common misconceptions of Psychotherapy

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