INTRODUCTION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

It often happens in many of our day-to-day lives that we hear from friends or family that someone close to us is going to begin therapy of one sort or another. In order to understand what this implies, we must first establish a proper definition of what therapy is. For instance, one simple definition of psychotherapy is described as "the treatment of mental or emotional illness by talking about problems rather than by using medicine or drugs" (2017). On the other hand, others may define it as a treatment of mental, emotional or even physical disorders by psychological means. However, the most common medical defines it as "any alteration in an individual's interpersonal environment, relationships, or life situation brought about especially by a qualified therapist and intended to have the effect of alleviating symptoms of mental or emotional disturbance" (Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary, 2016). It is also commonly known as therapy through conversation.

Different people have different opinions of psychotherapy, and many of us may wonder whether it is really efficient, or if it even works at all. Most experts in health-related fields will agree that it helps to a certain extent. There are enough resources out there to help individuals feel better and improve their overall health.

However, bettering oneself cannot solely come from external sources; it must come from within. One needs to accept that there will always be some days that are better than others. No one is ever one hundred percent healthy, and here are many factors that can affect health. Drops in overall health are normal and happen to everyone. Flus, fevers, colds, coughs, or other small illnesses are events in life that are to be taken in stride. However, some people may develop concern by some of these symptoms and may choose to undergo psychotherapy as a result.

In the following paragraphs and pages, I will describe and talk about psychotherapy in more depth. My hope in writing this book is that you, as the reader, will develop a better sense of understanding of what psychotherapy is, and consequently use this book as a source of knowledge in your life and in the life of those around you.

What is psychology?

Psychology – from the Greek word meaning "breath, spirit, and soul" - is the scientific study of human and animal mind and behavior. In psychology, we study the thought process, mental process, the brain, emotions, feelings, memories, reasoning, language, dreams, evolution of species, life development, biology, criminal investigation, and the way we think through different methods of research. Humans study such areas as human development, sports, health, clinical, social behavior and cognitive processes.

What is psychiatry?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialized in mental health and mental disorders. Oftentimes a psychiatrist is an expert in addiction, anxiety, behaviour, cognition, depression, emotion, mania, mood, psychosis, perceptions, and various other fields. Their practice often focuses on the diagnoses and treatment of mental illnesses.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a practice performed by psychologists that is used to assist patients with mental issues. Both psychologists and registered, qualified counselors, practice psychotherapy, which uses various approaches in healing including: cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, among others, to treat individual patients based on their unique backgrounds and concerns. The treatment is based on the ground relationship between clients or patients with psychologists or counselors, and helps one to be free of discussion in an open dialogue with someone that can provide an environment that helps you to communicate openly with one who is objective, nonjudgmental, and neutral. By analyzing your mental states, thoughts, and behavior, one can help you solve the very issues that prompted you to begin a session in the first place. One will help you develop with skills and challenges that were in the past, from present to future.

"Psychotherapy is a professional practice regulated by laws in Quebec. The Bill 21 gives an accurate definition of psychotherapy. It is a "psychological treatment for a mental disorder, behavioral disturbance or other problem resulting in psychological suffering or distress, and has as its purpose to foster significant changes in the client's cognitive, emotional or behavioral functioning, interpersonal relations, personality or health. Such treatment goes beyond help aimed at dealing with everyday difficulties and beyond a support or counselling role." (2017)." There are many types of psychotherapy: for individuals, couples, and families. Anyone can benefit from ps psy·cho·ther·a·py and it pronounce as n. pl. psy·cho·ther·a·pies.

Where does psychotherapy come from?

According to Tyrrell., M. (2003)., the origins of psychotherapy date from 3,500 years ago in ancient Egyptian and Greek writing. The terminology "Counselling" or "Psychotherapy" simply mean "helping someone using psychological means". The word counselling was used as early as 1386 in Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale (Tyrrell, 2003). In the Western domains, Orientalists have noted that "Sufi literature is full of evidence of profound psychological insight and sophisticated psychotherapeutic procedures. Historical Sufis such as Jalaludin Rumi of Afghanistan and El Ghazali of Persia display psychological understandings which have only recently been paralleled in the West". This practice has existed has since for many years through verbal communication, in one form or another.

Branches of psychotherapy

There are many distinctions between branches of psychotherapy, but these may not be so blatant to people unfamiliar with the topic as it is for health professionals. There are many different branches of psychotherapy in the world. This is why I will only discuss a select few in this book.

For example, the following is an alphabetically ordered list of a variety of types of therapy practiced today: art therapy, attack therapy, behavior therapy, chess therapy, child therapy, dance therapy, drama therapy, emotional focus therapy, expressive therapy, family therapy, feminist therapy, Freudian psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, group therapy, hypnotherapy, interpersonal therapy, Jungian psychotherapy, logo therapy, marriage therapy, music therapy, narrative therapy, nude psychotherapy, parent-child therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, reality therapy, relationship counselling, sex therapy, social therapy, and many more. Surprisingly enough, each...