It is said that in the US alone, over a quarter of the adult population experiences a kind of mental health issue in any given year. Nowadays, psychotherapy is one of the most popular ways of dealing with this kind of problem, and there are many reasons why one must know the importance of psychotherapists.
Who Are Psychotherapists?
Psychotherapists are professionals, often psychologists, who practice psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the process of helping someone to live a more productive life through talk therapy. Unlike typical psychiatrists, psychotherapists do not prescribe medications to their clients. Instead, they create a therapeutic alliance with them; communicating, understanding, perceiving, and bonding with them to help face life better.
There may be instances when a psychiatrist is adept in the process of psychotherapy, too, and he or she resorts to this form of treatment rather than instantly prescribing medications.
Why Consult Psychotherapists?
There are many advantages to going to a psychotherapist when one thinks he or she has mental health issues. One, he or she can learn that something can be done to make the situation better without having to take medications. In fact, several clinical trials have shown that talk therapy is as effective as medicines prescribed for depressed people without their distressing side effects like insomnia, grogginess, loss of libido or loss of appetite.
In psychotherapy, the practitioner applies scientifically validated procedures such as humanistic, psychoanalytic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to help the patients Learn More about their thoughts. In addition, he or she determines what method would work best for the patient.
For instance, if a person has claustrophobia, part of the treatment routine may involve reading about the phobia and practicing skills that will contribute to overcoming it, like pressing elevator buttons or simply watching its doors open and close. The importance of psychotherapists is they are trained never to undermine the fears of their patients. They perceive their anxieties as real, and they will walk with them in overcoming these fears.
It is possible that in some cases, the patient may already be taking medications, but psychotherapy can be an adjunct treatment that will work in synergy with the prescribed medications.
How To Find Psychotherapists?
There are many psychotherapists one can find, but it is crucial to be cautious in choosing whom to trust. It is best first to make sure that the practitioner is licensed. In addition, it will help if one would ask trusted primary care physician, family members, friends, and the like if they can recommend someone. If a relative or a friend benefited from a particular psychotherapist first-hand, then it increases the likelihood that he or she can help you too. Many a time, word of mouth is more trustworthy than big advertisements.
Indeed, one cannot underestimate the importance of psychotherapists. Currently, when problems and stressors abound, it is good to have professionals who can help one think more positive thoughts, express emotions more appropriately, and create better relationships with others.