{"id":6098,"date":"2022-01-04T19:17:06","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T11:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/?page_id=6098"},"modified":"2022-01-04T19:34:52","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T11:34:52","slug":"psychotherapy-what-is-it","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/psychotherapy-what-is-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Psychotherapy"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Psychotherapy?<\/a><\/strong> | How does it work?<\/a> <\/strong>| Effectiveness of Psychotherapy<\/a><\/strong> | What to expect?<\/a><\/strong> | FAQ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

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What is Psychotherapy?<\/h2>
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Psychotherapy (sometimes called \u201ctalk therapy\u201d) is a general term that describes the process of treating psychological distress or mental health disorders by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Psychotherapy is based on the belief that people with psychological issues can improve their quality of life by learning more adaptive ways of perceiving, evaluating, and behaving [1].<\/span> It aims to assist individuals to first recognise, then modify unproductive thought and behaviour patterns.\u00a0 The effectiveness of this change is often reliant on a strong therapeutic alliance between therapist and client, as that would facilitate open and honest communication which is vital to working through difficult thoughts and behaviours [2<\/a>].\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Types of Psychotherapy<\/h3>
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Psychodynamic Therapy<\/h4>
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Psychodynamic therapy is based on the assumption that unmet needs and unresolved conflicts from childhood\u00a0 subconsciously influence an individual\u2019s choices, feelings and thoughts as they mature. Therefore, the goal of psychotherapy is for individuals to explore and understand significant events that have happened to individuals in the past, and uncover the memories or experiences that have shaped their perspectives and world views. During psychodynamic therapy sessions, therapists work with clients to resolve internal psychological conflicts. The therapist guides people through reframing perceptions of their past or come to an acceptance with their imperfect past, improve self-awareness, and adopt healthier coping habits. This is done with the aim to gradually increase clients’ levels of wellness, and live freer in the present, for the sake of a more fulfilling future [3<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy<\/h4>
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Through exploring the link between thoughts, emotions and behaviour, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)\u00a0 is used to treat a variety of mental health disorders and aims to alleviate distress by helping patients to develop more adaptive cognitions and behaviours. Thoughts shape what a person does and how a person feels and reacts; CBT focuses on identifying and changing dysfunctional patterns of thought and behaviours. It is the most widely researched and empirically supported psychotherapeutic method [4<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Some Contemporary Adaptations of CBT:<\/h5>
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Dialectical Behavioural Theory (DBT)<\/strong> focuses on helping clients to [5<\/a>]:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. be more motivated to change unhelpful behaviours, thoughts and emotional responses,<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. accept and acknowledge the current state of their own behaviours, other people, and their environments without judgment,<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. learn productive skills and habits to enhance behavioural capabilities; and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. adapt skills learnt to create a life they want for themselves.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)<\/strong>\u00a0is an action-oriented approach to psychotherapy that stems from traditional behaviour therapy and CBT. It aims to improve functioning and quality of life by increasing psychological flexibility (i.e., being able to act effectively), to live in line with one\u2019s values, while accepting the presence of distressing or interfering thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations [6<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

    Person-centred Therapy (PCT) <\/h4>
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    Humanistic therapies are based on the assumption that people have both the freedom and the responsibility to control their own behaviour\u2014that they can reflect on their problems, make choices, and take positive action. Therapists generally take on a client-centred approach, where counsellors create a supportive environment for their clients through emphasising their concern, care and interest rather than steer their client toward a particular direction. Clients are seen as experts of their problems and resources, and this enables them\u00a0 to explore their identity, emotions and experiences freely. The direction of the therapy is hence very much dependent on the client. Although humanistic therapies differ in their details, their central focus is always expanding a client\u2019s self-awareness, so that the client obtains clarity on their values, attitudes, and choices [1].\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

    How does Psychotherapy work?<\/h2>
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    Therapy Formats<\/h3>
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