Psychotherapy for Anxiety, Depression, Loss, Trauma

Psychotherapy is a type of treatment to help an individual improve their emotional well-being and quality of life. We go to school to learn how to read, write, and do math. But we usually don’t receive instruction on how to maintain emotional health. Psychotherapy is both healing and educational. In psychotherapy, the patient works with a skilled therapist who can teach new ways of thinking and behaving, which can improve the way you feel and function in your life. Techniques a therapist may use could include, but are not limited to, training in relaxation and breathing exercises, mindfulness, assertiveness and communication skills, perspective-taking skills, decision-making skills, desensitization, thought stopping, anger management, organizational strategies, and homework assignments.

Importantly, the treatment is tailored to the patient’s needs and the relationship with the therapist is one of genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. This is not a friendship. It is a professional, health care relationship in which goals are collaboratively identified and the therapist and patient work together to achieve those goals. Treatment begins with an interview/exam, followed by therapy sessions that are usually scheduled on a weekly basis. The length of treatment depends on the individual and the goals to be achieved. Whether anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, relationship conflicts, or adjustment to life stressors, dialogue with a therapist can help.