Understanding Psychotherapy: A Guide to Mental Health and Well-being

With its increasing popularity, you may (or may not) have heard many people talk about psychotherapy/counselling/therapy. Maybe you've had the thoughts, is it for me? Should I find a psychologist? What can therapy help with? These are important questions that you should ask and this blog post will answer them.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a collaborative process between a trained psychologist and a client seeking support. It is a form of treatment that aims to improve mental health and well-being by exploring thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Through a series of sessions, psychotherapy provides a safe and supportive space for clients to discuss their concerns, express (not suppress) their emotions, gain insight into their experiences, and develop effective coping strategies.

How Does Psychotherapy (Or Counselling) Help?

Psychotherapy can be incredibly beneficial for individuals facing a wide range of challenges. It provides a space where people can openly express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Here are some ways in which psychotherapy can help:

1. Emotional Support:

Psychotherapy offers emotional support by providing a non-judgmental and empathetic environment. It allows individuals to express their emotions, helping them feel understood and validated. Psychologists are the unbiased, trained professional that you can talk to about literally anything.

2. Insight and Self-Reflection:

Through psychotherapy, individuals gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It helps them understand the root causes of their challenges, enabling them to make positive changes in their lives. For those feeling stuck, unsure of who they are, or what their next step in life is, psychotherapy can be paramount in helping address these concerns.

3. Coping Strategies:

Ever feel like your to do list, responsibilities, and/or stressors are piling up and you just don't know how to cope? A psychologist can teach individuals various coping strategies to deal with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. These strategies can include relaxation techniques, tools to sit with emotion in a way that isn't overwhelming, problem-solving skills, help with boundary setting, and shifting your attachment to your thoughts.

4. Improved Relationships:

Psychotherapy can enhance communication and interpersonal skills, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. It helps individuals develop a better understanding of their own needs and the needs of others. When we learn to show up for ourselves first, we can show up better for others.

5. Increased Self-Compassion:

By exploring and addressing underlying issues, psychotherapy can help identify areas in which you may be hard on yourself, which is impacting self-esteem. It helps individuals develop a more positive and realistic self-perception. At Tri Lotus Psychotherapy, compassion is the foundation of all therapeutic relationships with our clients.

How Often Do You See a Psychologist?

The frequency of therapy sessions depends on individual needs and the severity of the concerns. Initially, psychologists usually recommend weekly or biweekly sessions to establish a therapeutic relationship and address immediate issues. As progress is made, the frequency of sessions may decrease to monthly, or whatever works best for the client.

It's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the frequency of therapy can vary. Some individuals may benefit from more frequent sessions, especially during times of crisis or significant life changes, while others may find less frequent sessions sufficient for maintenance and ongoing support.

What Can Therapy Help With?

Therapy can help with a wide range of mental health concerns and life challenges. These are some of the common issues counselling at Tri Lotus Psychotherapy helps with:

1. Anxiety:

Therapy can provide effective strategies for managing anxiety. It helps you identify triggers, process emotions, shift unhelpful thought patterns, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

2. Stress Management and Burnout Prevention:

Psychotherapy is a valuable tool in preventing burnout and improving stress management. It can help you discover the root cause of burnout, as well as coping skills to move through it.

3. Relationship Issues:

Therapy can improve your communication and relationship satisfaction. It provides a safe space for couples to address conflicts, enhance understanding, and develop healthier relationship dynamics. It can also be effective for individuals hoping to improve their individual communication and talk about concerns in their relationships.

4. Anger Management and Emotion Regulation:

Psychotherapy provides you with a safe and supportive space to let out emotions in a healthy manner. It helps you learn to not let your emotions dictate your actions. It puts you back into the driver's seat through the development of coping skills for managing difficult emotions.

5. Addressing Perfectionism, High Achieving, and People Pleasing:

Therapy can help to assess whether perfectionism, high achieving, and/or people pleasing is taking you away from the life you want to live. If it is contributing to your difficulties, then psychotherapy can be helpful in shifting these patterns and finding new ways to show up in the world that aligns more with who you want to be.

6. Trauma and PTSD:

Psychotherapy is essential in the treatment of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps individuals process traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms, and regain a sense of control and safety.

7. Grief and Loss:

Therapy provides support and guidance during times of grief and loss. It helps you navigate the complex emotions associated with loss and develop healthy coping mechanisms. More importantly, it can help you feel less alone during what is usually a very lonely period of grief.

These are just a few examples of what therapy can help with. Ultimately, therapy is a versatile and effective tool for anyone seeking support and personal growth.

How to find a Psychologist

Looking for a psychologist can be an overwhelming process. Where do you start? How do you find one? How do you find the right therapist? The questions are endless. Here are some tips:

1. Google Search, Sun Life/Lumino, or Psychology Today are helpful tools

Searching for "psychologist near me" on Google can be a helpful way of finding psychologists in your area. Psychology Today is another resource where you can filter the type of therapist you're looking for based on area, gender, type of therapy, issues they treat etc. Finally, Sun Life/Lumino allows you to search for psychologists in your area and they provide ratings as well (you do not need to be a client of Sun Life Insurance in order to use this service).

2. Take advantage of the complimentary phone consultations

Most psychologists will offer a complimentary phone consultation to hear a bit about your counselling needs and give you answers to any questions you may have. Take advantage of this phone consultation to get a sense of whether you think that you and the psychologist will vibe.

Lastly...

Psychotherapy can be profoundly helpful in learning how to make your life more manageable and fulfilling. You do not have to suffer. However, it can also be helpful for those who just want an unbiased space to process their concerns, talk about their stressors, and further explore their self-identity. You don't necessarily need a reason to engage in psychotherapy.

Still have questions about the psychotherapy process? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions page here. Additionally, at Tri Lotus Psychotherapy, we offer complimentary phone consultations to all new clients to answer any questions they may have and determine fit. Click below to book one now!