Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is used as both an umbrella term for therapy approaches (e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy), as well as coming to be known as representing certain schools of therapy that are distinct from psychological approaches. So we have psychologists who all practice certain types of psychotherapy, but they are not called psychotherapists, and psychotherapists are not psychologists.

There are many dozens of psychotherapies that can differ radically from each other. Each school of therapy in turn developed its own offshoots adding to the number. On one end of the spectrum are the older, traditional and best known models - the 'non-directive' approaches, such as Psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis started off as Freudian psychoanalysis but grew into different offshoots such as Jungian, Adlerian and Lacanian versions, as well as a briefer version called 'Psychodynamic' psychotherapy. These approaches are 'insight-orientated' and focus primarily on the relationship between the therapist and the patient as the means of discerning this insight.

Other newer psychotherapies include Gestalt psychotherapy; Systemic psychotherapy; Transactional Analysis; Interpersonal Therapy; Psychosynthesis etc which can be a lot more directive and solution-focused than traditional approaches.

An accredited psychotherapist has generally completed a three to four year training course in one or more psychotherapeutic models. The best known psychotherepeutic models are what are termed

Psychotherapy can be for long or short-term therapy and for individuals as well as groups. Psychoanalysis is NOT recommended for depression.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us. 

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