Psychotherapy Q&A

What is psychotherapy?

Therapy, or psychotherapy, reduces suffering. It's a healing process where someone who needs to clear a block in his or her life or who seeks release from troubling thoughts or habits meets with a therapist. Therapists are trained in various modalities to help you move through those blocks, with the primary purpose of resolving problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, and somatic responses (sensations in the body) that are holding you back in your life.

What else does psychotherapy do?

Therapy promotes self-actualization. Therapy is also a highly effective process for self-growth and self-actualization. In addition to overcoming barriers and helping people to release extreme or inhibiting beliefs and feelings, therapy promotes the positive qualities of the Self, such as joy, compassion, peace, self-esteem, spiritual connection, and love. Many people find therapy to be an experience they enjoy, one that supports them in embracing and relishing their own journey of becoming more conscious about themselves, their inner world, and their relationships.

Is psychotherapy the same as counseling?

Therapy is differentiated from counseling. The difference between counseling and psychotherapy can be likened to the proverbial difference between giving a person a fish and teaching a person to fish for themselves. Counseling tends to be more on a surface level, with an advice-giving approach to handling an immediate issue, whereas psychotherapy works to address root causes and promote ongoing wellbeing. 

What will therapy be like for me?

Your relationship with your therapist is confidential: Therapy is a personal and private experience. Together with your therapist, you will establish goals for your therapy and determine the steps you will take to reach them. The confidentiality between you and your therapist includes not only the content of what you talk about, but also the process. The therapeutic process, or how you share your feelings and experiences, is considered to be just as important. On the whole, you can expect that your therapist will be someone who supports you, listens attentively, models a healthy and positive relationship experience, gives you appropriate feedback, and follows ethical guidelines.

"Confidentiality is essential, as it helps create safety when exploring and doing inner work." – Faith Burrington Jones

From the Therapist...

It's important to understand that the process of therapy is not always without challenges. And no therapist is perfect, nor can the process or therapy they provide be perfect.

A good therapist will never give up hope that a person can heal in this lifetime. (She will also recognize when she might not be the right fit to help a client, or when the client might not be ready.)

There are some common, universal qualities and practices that you can expect to find from a good therapist.

A Good Therapist Will: 

View each client as greater than the sum his or her problems;

Empower you with the knowledge that you possess the ability to change;

Encourage you to work with your own "inner doctor;"

Give you the full attention you deserve and be empathetic to what you need to move forward;

Work collaboratively with you, without pushing you, without pathologizing you, and without re-traumatizing you;

Convey unconditional, positive regard for you – in the face of whatever it is you might be experiencing.

Your healing adventure awaits...