About Psychotherapy

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is an independent discipline, with a theoretical and practical background. It is a profession practiced at an advanced, specialized and scientific level and differs significantly from Counselling, Psychology and Psychiatry. Each discipline is an autonomous branch of study and there is a clear and distinct differentiation between them.

Specifically, Psychotherapy is a collaborative agreement between client and psychotherapist, implemented and practiced by specially trained mental health professionals. Its purpose is to help individuals become aware of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and develop appropriate strategies for managing their problems. In this way, individuals can overcome their emotional and psychological difficulties, improve their mental health and achieve personal growth.

Why should I consider psychotherapy?

Everyone can benefit from psychotherapy. Psychotherapy offers you a safe and confidential space for talking and discussing with a trained professional about any issues that concern you. These issues may include feelings, behaviors or thoughts that confuse, trouble or worry you. Psychotherapy can help you explore the way you think and react, and it can help you to improve your mental health.

Our registered members are accredited psychotherapists and they are trained to help you express your thoughts and feelings, and notice what comes up when you do so. They listen and provide a non-judgmental space for you so that you can feel safe and able to talk about things that you often cannot share with anyone else.
You may not feel sure if you need support and what psychotherapy could offer you. However, everyone can benefit from becoming more aware of how one sees the world, oneself and the reasons behind this.

"Everything becomes a little different once said out loud"

What can psychotherapy help me with?

All of us can sometimes experience some, more or less difficult phases and periods in life, and we can seek help for specific reasons or with more vague and general goals. The value of psychotherapy is not limited to those experiencing mental health problems. You do not have to be in a crisis or have a diagnosed mental illness to get psychotherapy.

More specifically, psychotherapy can support you when...
• you feel anxious or you feel that you cannot cope
• you are dealing with a lot of stress and maybe you have physical symptoms as well
• you may be troubled by a lack of self-confidence or be affected by feelings of shyness and fear when you are with others
• your mood may change suddenly for no apparent reason
• you may not be able to handle a loss or separation, and sadness or grief overwhelms you
• you experience panic attacks, phobias or obsessions
• you are concerned about sexual problems
• you show a self-destructive behavior or some kind of addiction
• you went through a traumatic experience with unpleasant immediate or even time-delayed mental or physical symptoms

"When the soul needs help, psychotherapy can be the solution"

How does psychotherapy work?

Psychotherapy is a cooperation agreement between you - the client - and the psychotherapist, and includes the definition and information about the goal, the time, and the organizational and financial framework. Furthermore, it includes the responsibilities and rights of each one.

It is important to ask your questions and concerns from the beginning. You may want to know who is the person from whom you seek and expect support, help and guidance? You can ask him/her and hear what and how he/she will answer. It may be helpful for you so that you can feel confidence and secure with the psychotherapist. Furthermore, it is important to know more about their training and the method he/she works with. It is also important to note if his/her work is scientifically recognized, and if he/she is a member of a National, European or International Organization of Psychotherapy. Always give yourself time to think and notice what you have heard, and how you felt before you agree to any arrangement to continue.

Above all, the psychotherapist and you agree to work together to understand the conscious and unconscious aspects of your life experience. This process may include considering how past experiences affect your daily life and your future. The psychotherapist will show interest in some details from your personal history, your family, your relationships and in general about the issues of your life.

A very important factor in the development and effectiveness of psychotherapy, as indicated by scientific research, is the relationship that develops between you, the client and the psychotherapist. Through this close and confidential relationship, you will find the support you need to overcome the challenges that lead you to Psychotherapy. However, you should also be aware that this relationship is purely professional and not friendly.

Psychotherapy supports a process of change. Its goal is to be able to understand the patterns of discomfort, dissatisfaction or suffering that affect your life. You may gain meaning from it and be able to make choices that lead to a different experience for yourself and the world. This ability can help you to take responsibility for your life, and feel self-confidence and self-determined. Your life is joyful and meaningful.

Psychotherapy needs space and time, it is a process of small steps, without sudden and radical changes, with serious results and greater stability over time.

"Psychotherapy means that there is someone there for you, who can listen to you

with understanding and without judging you"

Is psychotherapy effective?

Here is some important information about the benefits of Psychotherapy based on scientific research.
"The first large meta-analysis of the effects of psychotherapy included nearly 400 studies and found that the outcomes of those who received psychotherapy were far superior to those who did not (Smith and Glass, 1977). In addition, it has been found that the effects of psychotherapy are longer lasting than those of medication (Hollon et al, 2016) and are less likely to lead to relapse after the end of treatment (Nordal, 2010)' (UKCP website 2024 Psychotherapy Evidence)
WHO research indicates that people receiving psychotherapy services use fewer medical services, including hospital services. In research over a 30 year period it was shown that, in 90% of the cases examined, the cost compensation was actually greater than the cost of the Psychotherapy provided.

"It is a fact that, as a therapeutic practice and professional application, psychotherapy is effective and extremely cost-effective. In controlled trials and in clinical practice, psychotherapy results in benefits that significantly exceed those experienced by people who need mental health services but do not receive psychotherapy. Consequently, psychotherapy should be included in the health care system as an established evidence-based practice" (APA 2012 Recognition of Psychotherapy).

Scientific research conducted over time demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of psychotherapy (* EAP website Cost Effectiveness of Psychotherapy ). Abundant evidence points to the value and importance of Psychotherapy not only on an individual but also on a societal level.

Individuals, couples and families who participate in Psychotherapy sessions develop better life management skills and abilities in the short and long term and become more self-sufficient and autonomous.
(1) 20% less cost for health services
(2) 49% fewer visits to primary care when clients participate in psychotherapy
(3) 2.52 days/person/year reduction in hospitalisation rate
(4) 75% of clients prefer psychotherapy to pharmacology

(1) The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy, Carr (2012), (2) Caldwell, Woolley & Caldwell (2007), (3) Chiles, Lambert and Hatch (1999, 2002), (4) Golden (1997)

What should I pay attention to in my relationship with my psychotherapist?

My psychotherapist has and keeps boundaries, and adheres to the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics defines critical points of behavior and attitude, which are not appropriate. For example, when he/she ...

gives me responsibility for his/her own feelings
argues with me or remarks to me if something is not done as he/she wishes
forces me to continue psychotherapy with him/her when I decide to stop
asks me for personal favors or rewards
takes advantage of my professional status
goes with me for coffee or food
accepts gifts or invitations to parties etc
talks to me about his/her own personal issues or problems
answers phone calls during our therapy session
forces me to tell him/her something I don't want to
talks to others about me and my issues
simultaneously takes on clients who are closely related to me
pursues sexual relations with me

It would also be important for me if he/she…

gives me space and time to find my own answers and solutions
answers my questions honestly without hesitation
when we meet outside his/her office he/she keeps a distance and is discreet
is consistent in his/her appointments
informs me in a timely manner of any changes that generally concern our agreement
informs me promptly of any changes in our appointments
informs me and asks for my consent to talk or cooperate with members of my family or with other professionals or legal authorities
lets me know if his/her treatment and abilities have reached a point where we need to consider and decide together on a change

The core characteristics of a professional attitude in psychotherapy are:

"confidentiality - discretion - respect - responsibility - seriousness - honesty –

continuous professional development"