What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a technique that helps people experiencing mental illnesses or emotional difficulties. Psychotherapy specialists, called psychotherapists, work towards eliminating or controlling symptoms of mental health issues to increase their patients' well-being, healing, and overall functioning.
Psychotherapists must acquire specialized training in counseling and psychology to become eligible for practice. They start by completing graduate school and then earning a doctoral degree. Subsequently, they must clear the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and complete their practicum hours, i.e., at least 1,500 to 1,600 hours of supervised, hands-on psychotherapy experience.
Why should one see a psychotherapist?
Psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling psychological symptoms so a person can function better. It can increase the overall well-being and healing of an individual suffering from any mental health disorder. It is used with other treatments, recommended lifestyle changes, or medication. However, not all psychotherapists can prescribe medication. There are several mental health concerns and disorders for which one may consider seeking psychotherapy. These may include:
- Helping to accept the impact of trauma
- Welcoming the news of severe medical illnesses
- Dealing with grief, such as the death of a loved one or other loss
- Treating specific mental disorders such as anxiety or depression
- Resolving relationship problems
- Recovering from abuse
- Improving sleeping patterns and cycles
- Managing unhealthy reactions
Types of psychotherapy
Psychotherapists may employ a variety of therapies to improve your mental health. Their option choice depends on the patient's condition, circumstances, and preference. To better address the requirements of the person receiving therapy, psychiatrists and other therapists may combine features from various approaches. The different types include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists you in identifying and changing destructive behavior patterns and thoughts, allowing you to focus on replacing them with appropriate thoughts and behaviors.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): In this kind of therapy, the therapist explores contradictory or opposite ideas in different scenarios. Then, they work with their patient to identify how the opposing views can be valid simultaneously. Finally, the patient considers how to accept that both contradictory viewpoints may have their truths that they can apply to the same scenario.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT): This short-term therapy assists you in understanding your underlying interpersonal challenges. You learn how to express your feelings and communicate with others effectively.
- Supportive therapy: This therapy assists you in developing your resources for reducing anxiety, strengthening coping skills, and improving social and community functioning. In this scenario, psychotherapists help you by providing direction and encouragement.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Psychotherapists use this therapy to identify and treat childhood trauma to improve behavior and mental health.
Psychotherapist vs psychiatrist
Before visiting a psychotherapist near you, knowing the different professionals working in the fields is essential. Many people often confuse psychotherapists with psychiatrists. While both professionals address mental health concerns, their approach differs.
Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical professionals specializing in mental health. They undergo extensive medical training and are equipped to diagnose and treat mental disorders. They focus on identifying biological and medical factors contributing to mental health issues. They prescribe medications, administer specialized treatments, and closely monitor patients' progress. Collaboration with other medical professionals is crucial in their practice.
Psychotherapists: Psychotherapists, on the other hand, are trained therapists who specialize in various therapies and focus on the emotional and psychological aspects of mental health problems, aiming to understand and address underlying issues. Unlike psychiatrists, psychotherapists don't prescribe medication but instead offer counseling and therapy sessions to help clients cope with and overcome their challenges. If you're looking for support on a deeper emotional level, a psychotherapist near you can provide tailored therapy sessions to address specific needs.
At the end of the day, whether it's medication management from a psychiatrist or therapy sessions with a psychotherapist, both play crucial roles in promoting mental well-being.
How do you choose a psychotherapy type?
You may ask yourself these questions when choosing a type of therapy:
- What concerns do you need to address?
- Have you started experiencing mental health issues recently, or have they persisted for some time?
- Have you previously been diagnosed?
- Would you prefer to focus on everyday challenges or want a more long-term treatment plan?
- Do you want to understand your behavior and emotions, or do you want to change them?
Committing to one type of therapy is optional when you begin. You should schedule consultations with a few therapists. That way, you can discuss what you need and understand what the practitioners believe is the best for you.
What to expect at a psychotherapy session?
Psychotherapy sessions can be conducted in individual, family, group, or couple settings and are helpful for people of all ages. Generally, these sessions take place weekly and are
between 30 to 50 minutes long. It is also called talk therapy due to the psychotherapist's and patient's active participation, i.e., both must be wholly engaged in the conversation.
A session usually begins with the patient filling out the necessary paperwork for the psychotherapist to understand their medical history. The first few sessions then revolve around the therapist trying to get to know the patient and their situation, which will help them decide how to proceed and the best course of treatment.
Trust between the patient and their psychotherapist is essential to extract the maximum benefit from psychotherapy. Sessions often lead to vulnerability and sharing things the patient might not be comfortable with. Thus, understanding and comfort between the two parties are paramount.
A psychotherapist typically offers and discusses solutions to one's problems during a session. They can also help their patients understand what they are going through by analyzing the conversations and helping them change their actions accordingly.
Psychotherapy can be short-term and help with immediate mental health issues or long-term and deal with complex, longstanding problems. The number of sessions, treatment goals, and how often the patient and the psychotherapist should meet are mutually determined.
A fundamental requirement for a psychotherapy session is maintaining confidentiality. While patients share personal feelings and thoughts, which may create an illusion of closeness, the American Psychiatric Association recommends no intimate physical contact during sessions and considers it unacceptable or inappropriate.
How to make the most out of psychotherapy?
Here are some tips to get the best results out of psychotherapy treatment:
The success of talk therapy depends on your openness and honesty about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences. You should also be open to new ideas, insights, and techniques. If you are hesitant to talk about a particular issue due to embarrassment, painful emotions, or fear, let the therapist know.
- Ensure that you feel comfortable with the therapist
When selecting a psychotherapist, choose one with whom you can comfortably discuss your issues and concerns. If you are uncomfortable with your particular therapist, look for one who can make you feel more at ease during therapy.
Stay committed to the treatment plan. Sometimes, you may lack motivation or feel down and want to skip the therapy sessions. However, doing so will negatively impact your recovery process. Therefore, make it a point to attend all your psychotherapy sessions.
- Approach therapy as a partnership
Psychotherapy is effective when patients actively share their thoughts and feelings and participate in decision-making. Therefore, you must work with the therapist to identify your significant issues and discuss ways to manage or resolve them. This will help you set goals and assess progress over time.
If the psychotherapist asks you to practice specific skills or to write down your thoughts in a journal outside the therapy sessions, follow their instructions. It will help you practice what you learned in the sessions and promote recovery.
- Don’t expect instant results
Psychotherapy is a long-term process, so don't expect instant results. It takes time to overcome psychological and emotional issues, and they may require more work than expected. Therefore, you may need several therapy sessions before you notice any self-improvement.
Depression: causes and effects
Depression is a mood disorder affecting one's overall ability to function. Its symptoms commonly include sadness, anxiety, worthlessness, or hopelessness. Being depressed can also lead to difficulty thinking, remembering, eating, and sleeping. Other effects of depression could be loss of interest in activities, sleep problems, change in appetite, etc.
Various factors can lead to depression and affect anyone at any age. Some common causes of it may be:
- Life events: The passing of a loved one, stress, traumatic events, feelings of isolation, lack of support, etc., can cause depression.
- Medical conditions: Depression is often a by-product of ongoing physical pain or illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, etc.
- Medications: Recreational drugs, alcohol, and other medications may cause depression as a side effect.
- Genetics: Patients who have relatives with depression may be more likely to experience it.
- Brain chemistry: Unusual levels of brain chemicals lead to depression.
A psychotherapist diagnoses clinical depression or a major depressive disorder after the feelings mentioned above have persisted for at least two weeks. If untreated, depression can continue deteriorating, leading to self-harm or death. Self-help, counseling, medication, alternative medicine, brain stimulation therapy, etc., are some ways to treat it.
Tips to maintain your mental well-being
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people's mental health. Whether you're a frontline worker, a student missing school, or someone separated from family, it's normal to feel scared or anxious. But no matter where you are, you can take steps to look after yourself. Here are six things you can do:
- Share and talk to someone you trust: Sharing your feelings with friends or family can make you feel better. Even if you can't meet in person, you can stay connected through video calls or messages.
- Take care of your body: Being active, eating well, and getting enough sleep can improve your mental health. It's recommended to be active for at least 30 minutes daily.
- Do things you enjoy: Enjoy activities that make you happy, like cooking, playing with pets, or reading. A routine with activities that make you happy will help you maintain good mental health.
- Avoid harmful substances: Using drugs or alcohol might seem like a quick fix, but they can make things worse in the long run. Additionally, these substances increase the risk of illness or injury for you and those around you.
- Focus on the present: Take a moment to notice what's around you. Take deep breaths, and think about what you see, hear, and feel. These steps can help calm your mind.
- Seek professional help: If you're struggling to manage stress, contact a counselor or a psychotherapist for professional support. Remember, you're not alone, and help is available.
Finding a suitable practitioner for psychotherapy near you in Kansas City, MO
You must share a comfortable and trusting relationship with your psychotherapist to share all your vulnerabilities and emotions. But, finding someone suitable for your particular needs can be challenging. Zocdoc is here to your rescue and can help you find the best psychotherapist near you.
You can view a list of nearby practitioners by entering the details of your location or your symptoms. Each practitioner has a unique profile where you can learn about their educational qualifications, areas of expertise, experience, accreditations, affiliations, awards, licensure, etc. You can filter the providers based on gender, language, whether they accept your insurance plan, treat children, etc.
If you want to locate your insurance plan, just upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this feature is not available for vision or dental plans). You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
You can also read verified reviews from prior patients, which can help you form an informed opinion. After deciding on a psychotherapist near you, you can directly book an in-person or virtual appointment through Zocdoc.
All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure!
Mental health care in Missouri
As per a study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2023, approximately 34.3% of Missouri adults reported anxiety and depression symptoms between February 1st and February 13th. It was more than the estimated national percentage of 32.3%. Between 2011 and 2021, Missouri also saw more drug overdose and suicide-related deaths as compared to the national average. It hints at the need for mental health services in the state.
However, Missouri has a lot of unmet needs in the area of mental health. Unmet need refers to an individual having a perceived or recommended need for mental health counseling or treatment but is not receiving care. In May 2022, among the total adults reporting symptoms of anxiety/depression in Missouri, around 28% reported needing counseling or therapy but have not received it.
Compared to all other states, Missouri ranks 35th in terms of mental health practitioners per 100,000 population. The number of psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, advanced practice nurses specializing in mental health care, and counselors per 100,000 population is just 256.8 in the state. As of May 2022, the state employs approximately 540 therapists.
All the above statistics point towards a more significant need for mental health practitioners like psychotherapists in Missouri.
Sources
American Psychiatric Association
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
PsychCentral
Best Accredited Colleges
World Health Organization
Kaiser Family Foundation
U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics
America’s Health Rankings
Mayo Clinic
