Psychotherapy

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a psychological treatment that aims to help individuals understand themselves and better manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours to improve their mental health. Different approaches to psychotherapy, based on different theories, use different tools and techniques to meet the client’s needs and goals.

Psychological treatment is based on psychology as a science, and treatments exist for many different diagnoses and conditions. It could be depression, anxiety, stress, sleep problems, trauma, eating disorders, addiction or any other condition such as relationship problems.

It is common to receive psychotherapy in combination with medication, physical activity or other habitual changes.

What set our therapist apart was her genuine empathy and personal insight. Not only did she possess a deep understanding of neurodiversity, but she also shared personal experiences that resonated with us, creating an instant connection and fostering a sense of trust!

Benedetta Osarenk

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When might you need to seek psychotherapy?

If you have been feeling bad for a long time or have noticed that you have a pattern that is difficult to break, it may be useful to seek psychotherapy. It can be anything from having a tough childhood to having sleep problems. Many people who seek psychotherapy do so because they find it difficult to talk to their loved ones about it, or they may not have enough support in their lives. Seeking psychological treatment is now common and nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes you may need a little more help.

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Are there different ways of working with psychotherapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most common form of treatment in healthcare. It is also the method most often recommended by the National Board of Health and Welfare, and research shows that it is effective for many different conditions.

Within CBT, there are new treatments, known as third-wave CBT, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). Other treatment methods include Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). For more complex problems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) or Schema Therapy can be helpful.

There are also methods, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which can be helpful for trauma. You can also have psychodynamic therapy, existential therapy or couples therapy, depending on what you need.

How does psychotherapy work?

In simple terms, psychotherapy consists of two parts: the relationship between the psychologist and the client, and the method used by the psychologist.

The relationship is also called an alliance, and it determines how the treatment is structured, whether there is empathy and understanding, and whether you feel seen and heard as a client. The treatment can be structured based on a certain approach found to work, but it can also be adapted to the individual’s needs.

If you are in group treatment, the therapy is often manual-based. You can attend psychotherapy where you meet in person, but it is also possible to meet via video. There is also a lot of research on internet-mediated CBT (IMCT) that has produced good results. Here are some basic aspects of psychotherapy:

1. Conversation and relationship: The conversation between client and therapist is central to psychotherapy. Here you can explore what you need help with.
2. Goal setting: At the beginning of therapy, short- and long-term goals for the therapy are often formulated.
3. Therapeutic methods: Various therapeutic methods are used in psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, existential therapy, and gestalt therapy. Each method has its principles and techniques.
4. Self-awareness and change: Psychotherapy aims to help the client increase self-awareness, understand deeper patterns and causes of problems, and develop skills and strategies for change and better management of life’s challenges.
5. Duration and frequency: The number of sessions and duration of therapy varies depending on the severity of the problem. Some therapies may be short and focused, while others may be more long-term and exploratory.
6. Individual and group treatment: Psychotherapy can be conducted individually or in groups, depending on the client’s preferences and needs.
7. Evidence-based practice: There is a lot of research on psychotherapy and evidence-based means that scientific studies have shown its effectiveness for different psychological problems. The effectiveness for different conditions can vary between different methods, with some methods getting better results than others.

If you work with psychotherapy and have a health care license, you have a duty of confidentiality. The professional must not reveal information about you to anyone else. In group therapy, all group participants must agree on confidentiality.

Who is involved in psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy can be provided by different professionals. Psychologists usually work in psychotherapy, but other professionals, such as doctors, social workers, and nurses, can also train as psychotherapists.

Online psychotherapy

It is possible to work with psychotherapy online via video; all our psychologists and therapists at Lavendla receive it digitally. You are welcome to book an appointment if you need treatment. We make the hard easier.

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