Psychotherapy is a specialized field of knowledge, skill, and expertise, developed through many years of dedicated effort (a minimum of five years), which cannot be replaced by a friendly conversation or by reading any kind of literature on the subject.
If you want to approach your problem in a truly responsible and deeply personal way, it makes much more sense to turn to a psychotherapist. Yes, it is important to choose your therapist carefully or based on a recommendation, but even in the very first session, you will feel whether this is the right person for you or not. No one will be offended if you decide that this is not your therapist. That’s why it’s good to consider in advance at least some criteria that are important to you.
How do you imagine your therapist: what gender are they, how old are they, what is their marital status, do they have children, or perhaps none of that matters to you?
Of course, the personality of the therapist is also important — their life beliefs and attitudes, their presence, empathy, creativity, and the talent to touch on the core issues, as well as the sense of deep understanding — all of which are unique to each interaction. It’s important to be aware of these factors when choosing a therapist and to trust your own feeling, not just recommendations or the specialist’s popularity.
It is also important to distinguish what you actually need — is it occult knowledge, astrology, numerology, clairvoyance, etc., or is it science? Psychotherapy is not an exact science, but it is based on scientific knowledge about the human being — it is a human science!
This means it strives to achieve results, to test those results objectively, and to build upon them. That's why therapy is always a mutual process. Despite all the patterns and universal laws of the human psyche, every encounter with a person is entirely individual and unique.
The patient necessarily takes an active part in their treatment, and the meaning of the word “patient” here is not "a sick person," but rather a person who has the patience to walk a path inward toward themselves. In this sense, psychotherapy should not be some kind of torment, but rather a journey that reveals new horizons and many new perspectives.
Psychotherapy has helped many people and has significantly improved their quality of life!
Turning inward, being honest with yourself, and understanding what you truly need is one of the most meaningful pursuits a person can undertake.
A psychotherapist is a specialist who applies certain techniques for therapy that is non-medication-based, and who has necessarily undergone personal therapeutic work in order to get to know themselves.
These techniques vary according to the school in which they have chosen to train. There are several main psychotherapeutic schools, and each method has its advantages and disadvantages. A psychotherapist belongs to their theoretical doctrine and school, maintains exchange with colleagues and supervisors, regularly updates their knowledge by participating in specialized conferences and events, and is a member of an internationally recognized association of that school.
A psychotherapist is usually a specialist who has not only completed a degree in psychology, psychiatry, or another humanities discipline, but has also undergone years of additional training in the therapeutic method they have chosen — this could be psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, systemic/family therapy, psychodrama, art therapy, and others.
This means that not every psychologist is a psychotherapist, nor is every psychotherapist necessarily a psychologist.
Psychology is a general educational discipline which can later have several possible professional applications, but by itself it is not sufficient for the practice of psychotherapy without additional training. In this sense, psychotherapy is more in-depth, long-term, and specialized training specifically for working with the psychological problems of people seeking support and healing.
If you are looking for such psychological help, it is recommended not to simply search on the internet for “psychologist,” but rather for “psychotherapist.”
As for psychiatry – this is a specialty which necessarily requires complete medical training and additional education for the treatment of mental illnesses. This treatment is most often medication-based.
Therefore, not every psychiatrist is a psychotherapist, unless they have also been trained in one of the existing psychotherapeutic methods. There are mental illnesses for which medication therapy is unavoidable and a psychiatrist should be consulted. A good psychotherapist will also refer you to a psychiatrist if they determine that this is necessary based on the specific condition.
It is entirely possible for a psychiatrist to also be trained as a psychotherapist and accordingly to apply both medication and psychotherapeutic treatment. However, many schools believe that the two types of treatment — medication and psychotherapy — when they need to be combined, should be provided by two different specialists, not by the same one.
So, if you don’t know whom to turn to, you can consult a psychotherapist, and they will refer you to a psychiatrist if necessary, or will offer you psychotherapy, presenting the method they work with, the approximate duration of treatment in terms of time, number and price of sessions.
At this stage, this type of treatment is not covered by the National Health Insurance Fund, but some therapists make an effort to offer an affordable formula for each client.
Psychotherapy is care for mental health.
This care is not a whim, but a responsible and meaningful decision that significantly improves quality of life. Neglecting psychological suffering has many consequences not only for the soul, but also for our body, as well as for all levels of our relationships – personal or professional. Unresolved psychological suffering turns into physical symptoms, broken relationships, and even broken lives.
Psychotherapy is beneficial for absolutely every person, whether they have an evident psychological symptom or more existential questions to resolve, as these are universally valid. Every person has to deal with work, family, love, friendship, health, and death, and these are never without challenges.
Psychotherapeutic techniques are diverse and interesting, and their effectiveness has been proven not only in treating many psychological symptoms, but also in personal development and deep self-understanding. In well-developed countries, part of psychotherapeutic treatment is even covered by the national health insurance, and this is how it should be in order to build a healthy and fulfilling society.
How often are sessions held?
Usually, individual therapy is conducted with a minimum of one session per week, and significant improvement is difficult to achieve with fewer than 10–15 sessions.
Family therapy is conducted once every two weeks, and improvement in relationships occurs after no fewer than 10 sessions.
Still, the duration of each type of therapy is strictly individual and can be long-term, depending on the specific issue and personal characteristics.
Individual psychotherapy is helpful for anyone going through emotional difficulties, stress, anxiety, apathy, life transitions, or seeking a better understanding of themselves and their relationships. These conditions often manifest as psychological or physical symptoms, suffering, and illness.
The techniques of individual psychotherapy have proven effective in treating symptoms such as panic attacks, phobias, obsessive thoughts, low self-esteem, anger management issues, trauma, post-traumatic stress, grief, bereavement, depression, and others.
The therapeutic process is individual, but improvement cannot be expected in fewer than 10 sessions. Change happens gradually and progressively, and the process is mutual — it depends both on the therapist and the patient, as well as on the successful therapeutic relationship built between them.
In this process, we sometimes encounter so-called resistances and forces that seem to passively aim to preserve the status quo and keep the psyche in its previous, unhealthy state. This is because a psychological symptom often acts like a crutch that a person refuses to let go of, even when they no longer need it.
Additionally, the human psyche is formed over many years and cannot be "disassembled" and understood in a short time. On the other hand, successful therapy should not continue indefinitely. If it lasts too long, it is probably not effective.
However, for some people, the therapeutic process represents a long journey inward — toward understanding, awareness, and self-knowledge. In these cases, it is completely natural for the process to be open-ended and shaped according to the client’s individual needs.
Yes, all sessions are strictly confidential. Exceptions are made only in rare cases as defined by law — for example, when there is a risk to the health or life of the client or others.
When working with minors, parental consent is required, and parents must be informed in cases where there is a danger threatening their child or another person. Generally, in cases involving children, family therapy or a combination of individual and family sessions is recommended.
Family therapy usulally works with two or more members of a family, a couple, or a group connected by some type of family or other relationship — such as friendship, professional, etc. The focus is on improving communication, trust, conflict resolution, and finding solutions, by exploring how each person participates in and contributes to the situation, without seeking or assigning “blame.” Family therapy is in no way a courtroom or an arbitration process!
In professional circles, family therapy is actually referred to as systemic therapy, because it views each individual as part of their system — not only the family system, but also the system of professional, social, and other relationships.
We all play different roles, have different perceptions, expectations, reactions, and behaviors depending on the specific context. In this context, not only individual characteristics are taken into account, but also the unique qualities of all participants in the situation — and most importantly, the interactions and relations between them.
In this sense, the systemic approach can also be applied in individual sessions, even when only one member of a given system is present.
Family therapy is a conceptual approach to the person — it is not defined solely by the number of participants or the type of relationship between them, which can be family-related, professional, friendly, etc.
Group therapy is conducted in a group of people who share similar difficulties and needs. It can be therapeutic or focused on personal development practices.
It yields very good results, for example, in cases of addiction. Group therapy is an excellent context for sharing, releasing, and working through painful emotions and difficult-to-overcome harmful habits and behaviors, such as alcohol abuse, food-related issues, drug use, gambling, sexual addictions, and others.
The group carries strong potential and energy for support, understanding, and empathy, which often lead to remarkable outcomes. The therapist or group mentor is always trained in a specific group therapy method, ensuring a safe and secure environment for sharing and self-discovery.
The rules for communication in the group are introduced by the mentor, who constantly observes the process and ensures these rules are respected. This provides a protective and safe space where no one should feel judged, rejected, neglected, or misunderstood.
In addition to verbal sharing, there are different types of group therapy that use art or theatre — such as art therapy and psychodrama.
Both methods are not only effective but also powerful and exciting experiences that foster strong bonds within the group and promote personal growth, especially in the areas of spontaneity and emotional freedom, overcoming inhibitions, complexes, social anxiety, fear of being judged, fear of public speaking, shyness, and low self-esteem.
Art therapy uses projective techniques that allow people to access and express feelings and emotions that can be difficult to reach through words alone. The symbolism expressed through images, drawings, or even body movement often surprises even the participant themselves, as it reveals deeply buried emotions, thoughts, and desires.
The human repository of signs, images, and symbols is inexhaustible and, to a great extent, universally understood — especially among people from the same cultural background. At the same time, every universal symbol has its personal interpretation and resonance within the soul of each individual, shaped by their unique life story.
Psychodrama is a remarkable discovery in applying theatre to psychotherapy. It activates the artistic potential of the group, brings existential issues to the stage, and provides space for them to be experienced in a holistic way — through words, the body, one’s sense of self and others, and the awareness of the many roles and life scripts we perform daily.
Role-playing is a powerful tool for exploring relationships and conflicts not only with the mind and words but with the whole being. It creates conditions for deep empathy and shared emotional experiences, showing how we are not only different and unique but also how similar our emotions, feelings, and patterns can be — especially in close relationships and our social environment.
Techniques from both art therapy and psychodrama are also successfully applied in individual and family therapy.
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