Discover How Individual Psychotherapy Can Benefit You

By Sherry Gross


Many people who are struggling with temporary or ongoing emotional issues have been helped by attending regular sessions with a dedicated psychologist. Individual psychotherapy is tailored to the particular needs of the patient and provides the building blocks needed to successfully overcome the hurdles hindering them. The approach used can vary depending on the practices of the therapist, and the nature of the patient's case.

Some patients require more sessions than others, depending on the complexity of the problems they are afflicted with. Most people need at least eight, but the psychologist will be the one to decide how many sessions are appropriate. During these meetings, the therapist constructs a picture of the patient's mind and emotions by asking various questions, which can then be used to formulate the best way to address the issues. Sometimes the patient is seeking help for a specific problem, and other times the root cause of certain emotions must be found.

The first step is to recognize the problem, examine possible causes, and finally develop a strategy that will enable the client to overcome it. While the patients need to trust the therapist's judgment, they should also be sure to bring it to the counselor's attention if at any time they feel that something simply isn't working for them, so the plan can be revised accordingly.

A strong relationship between the client and the psychologist is paramount to successful psychotherapy. There needs to be a good rapport, in order for patient to feel free to talk openly and the therapist can offer advice, which is the basis for effective therapy. Patients need to choose a therapist who is warm, honest, compassionate, patient, and who will listen with an unbiased ear consistently.

Therapy is a guided plan of constructive steps with several goals, both preliminary objectives reached with each successive session, as well as one final goal to be attained upon completion of the counseling sessions. Determination and visualization on the part of the patient can play a big role in determining how successful the therapy program will be.

During their sessions, the patients will gain helpful tools from the therapist that will effectively push them towards their objectives. This include coping strategies, focusing on one's strengths rather than weaknesses, and developing realistic expectations. Key aspects of a positive attitude, these tools will help patients overcome the issues facing them.

Upon completion of therapy sessions, patients are then faced with the challenge of putting all they have learned over the past few weeks or months into action. Stopping contact with the psychologist at this point is not advisable as it may make the patient feel detached and cause a relapse in thinking or behavior. Follow-up appointments every few weeks are a good way to make sure their clients continues to make progress.

Psychotherapy has stood the test of time, and has been proven to have helped many people become stronger, more stable, and confident individuals who are not limited by their own beliefs and emotions. The patient and therapist are a team, but ultimately the onus of responsibility to continue to practice what they have learned falls on the patients.




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