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PSYCHOTHERAPY - The talking cure

Psychotherapy, known as the 'talking cure,' is said to be good for
whatever ails you. People facing all sorts of challenges seek out
assistance from therapists who can bring some clarity to what
seems like confusion. Challenges like breaking bad habits, diffusing
depression, reducing anxiety, losing weight, improving
relationships, and enhancing self-knowledge are all fodder for
therapy. It used to be that only the rich could afford the classic
'patient on the couch' therapy. However, therapy is readily available
just for the seeking. And the good news is, psychotherapy is for the
healthy, not the sick.

Psychotherapy is a process of self discovery that begins with a safe

and accepting relationship between an individual and a professional
therapist. Psychiatrist Jerome Frank believes that "patients see
psychotherapy as a sanctuary; and a conceptual framework that, in
addition to providing an explanation for the patient's behavior,
offers hope that the treatment will relieve the suffering." Karen G.
Langer, a senior psychologist and clinical assistant professor at
New York University School of Medicine, emphasizes that "there
needs to be a sense of trust and empathy and a willingness to
understand the patient's experience in order to help guide him or
her toward making wise decisions."

According to psychotherapist Frank Pittman III, the therapist's role

is to help the patient (1) define the problem; (2) figure out what
normal people might do under the same circumstances; (3) expose
whatever keeps the patient from doing the sensible thing; and (4)
find the courage to do what needs to be done.

The therapist is usually trained in a specific therapeutic technique

and often uses a number of different ones to assist the 'patient.' The
types of professional therapists include the psychiatrist, trained as
a medical doctor and can prescribe drugs; the psychoanalyst, a
psychiatrist or psychologist who has undergone personal analysis;
the psychologist, has a doctorate in some related field of psychology;
the clinical social worker, has at least a master's degree; the
marriage and family therapist, has a master's degree; a pastoral

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counselor, has had training in mental health; and the licensed

professional counselor, has at least a master's degree and are
licensed by the state. (Licensing varies from state to state.) There
are also a number of people who conduct psychotherapy put their
shingle out but are not professionally trained.

The types of therapeutic techniques are numerous. Psychiatrist T.

Byram Karasu of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine once kept
track of new therapies as they emerged and gave up counting when
he reached 400, citing that there are as many therapies as there are
patients. Some of the more traditional therapies include
psychoanalysis which is based on the work of Sigmund Freud who's
considered the father of psychotherapy; psychodynamics which
focuses on a specific problem; cognitive therapy which focuses on
changing the way you think about events and situations; behavioral
therapy which focuses on symptoms and actions; interpersonal
therapy which focuses on improving social skills; marriage and
family therapy which focuses on relationships within the family;
group therapy which focuses on interactions within a group setting;
and short term therapy which focuses on a very specific problem.
The number of sessions will depend on what you want to accomplish
and the techniques that are used.

Today psychotherapy is much more accepted as a tool for dealing

with life's problems than it has been in the past and than it is in
other countries. In a U.S. News & World Report poll, conducted in
1993, 81 percent of respondents agreed that going to a therapist for
personal problems would be helpful "sometimes" or "all the time."

More than 16 million Americans seek mental health treatment each

year, while another 24 million who could also benefit from therapy
never seek help. Although many people don't seek out professional
assistance, there's a growing interest in self-improvement. The self-
improvement era is indeed upon us. Just go to any bookstore and
look in the self-help section. There are hundreds of audiotape
programs, weekend retreats, and week-long intensives. Television
and radio talk show hosts often play therapist and engage in
psychobabble with their guests. At least a handful of
psychotherapists host their own shows. The American Psychiatric

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Association estimates that 15 million people in the United States

participate in self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

When looking for a therapist, get referrals from people you trust,
like friends, healthcare providers, clergy, the Human Resources
Department at work, or the local Mental Health Association. Call
each referral and briefly explain what you're looking for to
determine if there's a preliminary match. If the response is positive,
ask about fees [ranging from $50 to $150] and set up an initial
appointment. When you meet with the therapist, be prepared. Take
with you in writing what you consider your situation to be and what
you want to accomplish. [Paul G. Quinnell outlines a very specific
process in the April 1989 issue of Psychology Today that's worth
reviewing.] Ask the therapist specifically if he or she can help you
in this area. Check out how comfortable you feel speaking with this
person. Do you like their tone of voice? Are they respectful in their
comments to you? Do they seem to have understanding and good
ideas? Are you willing to tell them anything they might need to
know about yourself? Do you trust this person? If you're gut
responds negatively in any way, then you need to interview another
therapist. Use this same process until you find someone you feel
comfortable with. Remember that you're interviewing the therapist
to determine if they can assist you. Make sure the times of day the
therapist is available will work in your schedule and that the
location is convenient. If you can't afford a private therapist, check
out the therapists at your local mental health center. Use the same
interview process.

Researchers in all of the therapeutic treatments have repeatedly

shown that clients with diverse problems can receive benefit from
psychotherapy, although everyone might not receive benefit at the
same level. Benefits are derived from resolution of whatever the
presenting problem was initially. Here are some that have been
reported:

People who seek therapy often feel they have no control over
themselves or what's going on around them. So, feeling more in
control of life comes from getting to know yourself better,

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including acknowledging and accepting your desires, fears, needs,

and passions.

Learning how to express feelings appropriately and

communicate more effectively are two closely related benefits
of therapy, particularly since talking and expressing oneself is a
requirement. Often during the therapy sessions, the 'patient' or the
client will be asked, "how do you feel about..." The therapist can
suggest how to convey feelings to others in a respect manner while
still being heard. You learn how differing points of view can be
adequately expressed. If you learn how to communicate more
effectively with one person, the skills can transfer to other
relationships.

Often we want to change habits or change our way of

thinking, but have much difficulty doing so by ourselves. So we
may seek out therapy to understand the underlying problem
associated with a bothersome habit or negative viewpoint. We may
also want to learn specific techniques for changing the habit and
thought patterns. Some of us do better when we know we have to
report in on our progress.

Therapy helps clients relieve their anxieties and reduce stress.

Often stress-reduction techniques are suggested and taught by the
therapist. When stress is reduced, physical health improves and
there are fewer visits to doctors. This is significant since 80 to
90 percent of all visits to medical treatment providers are stress-
related.

When we're confused, we tend to blow everything out of proportion.

We have difficulty keeping situations and thoughts in perspective.
Therapy can help us get a grip on reality and keep a more
realistic perspective on the situation. We learn to cope with the
present situation and others that will arise by keeping the bigger
picture in mind.

When we are able to work out emotional issues and resolve internal
and external conflicts, our work performance improves. We're

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able to think more clearly, be more decisive, and respond

appropriately to routine and emergency situations.

Through therapy, we can learn about the value of our talents and
skills. We can come to understand that we are worthy regardless of
what we've done in the past or what we have or have not
accomplished. Going through the therapeutic process helps to
increase self esteem on many levels.

If you're prone to emotional distresses, your therapist can teach you

specific techniques that can improve your ability to cope with
depression and anxiety.

Because therapy can help us understand reasons for our thoughts,

feelings, and actions and help us deal with them in appropriate
ways, violence and abuse are reduced in our communities.
People can learn to talk through their concerns rather than act out
their anger violently.

There's an appropriate therapy and therapist for anyone who seeks

help in dealing with life's perplexities. How you'll benefit from
therapy depends on your willingness to look at yourself in a
different way and to answer hard, sometimes even seemingly
impossible questions. The greater your investment of time, energy,
and emotion, the more benefit you'll derive from the process.

Reference: http://pertinent.com/pertinfo/business/spilgrim19.html

Vocabulary:

underlying = basic, fundamental

bothersome = troublesome (difficulty to deal with)

report in = to present oneself

grip on reality = get/keep a grip on yourself

to make an effort to control your emotions and behave more calmly

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I just think he ought to get a grip on himself - he's behaving like a

child.

cope with = cope with someone or something

to endure someone or something = to manage to deal with

someone or something. I don't think I can cope with any
more trouble. I can't cope with your being late for work
anymore.