Psychotherapy is the treatment of mental health problems by talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist, therapists, or another professional trained in this field. In psychotherapy, the patient is guided through a process of discussing their issues with a goal of discovering root causes of their problems, raising awareness of when and how the condition manifests in their life, and ultimately allowing them to improve their quality of life through the reduction, elimination, or better management of symptoms. Also known as “talk therapy” or counseling, psychotherapy is one of the most important tools used by psychologists and other mental health professionals.
While some psychological issues may require medication or other types of treatment in some situations, psychotherapy can be a very effective tool for addressing many types of mental illness including mood disorders like anxiety or depression, addiction and other substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In fact, for many patients, a combination of psychotherapy and medication may be the key for successful treatment. Psychotherapy can also be an important solution for solving issues between groups of people such as conflicts in a marriage, with approaches such as couples therapy or family counseling becoming increasingly popular.
