Psychotherapy at Harley Therapy™
What is Psychotherapy?
Like counselling, the term 'psychotherapy' is used to describe a range of talking therapies to help overcome problems such as relationship issues, emotional difficulties and stress. The specific differences between counselling and psychotherapy are hard to pinpoint but generally speaking a psychotherapist can offer more in-depth work over a longer period of time. Psychotherapy involves exploring in depth your feelings, beliefs and thoughts, including those from childhood, to come to a fuller understanding of the problems you face. Given the often sensitive nature of the issues discussed, developing a trusting relationship with the psychotherapist is paramount to effective treatment.
A Brief History of Psychotherapy
The idea of psychotherapy was first developed in Vienna over a century ago, by the famous Sigmund Freud. Freud’s work with patients led him to believe that mental health problems such as depression and anxiety were the result of keeping difficult thoughts and memories locked in the unconscious mind. Freud proposed that treatment should revolve around listening to the patient and by providing interpretation of their thoughts bring these memories into the conscious mind, thereby reducing symptoms. This idea led to the popular image of therapy, as individuals lying on the couch reciting their inner most thoughts to the therapist with a clipboard.
Although different forms of this therapy were established, the major change came in the 1950s, when a psychologist named Carl Rogers developed person-centred psychotherapy which viewed all individuals as unique, and requiring unique solutions to their problems. Under this view, the role of the therapist was to create a comfortable, empathic and non-judgemental environment which would aid patients find their own solutions to their problems. While this view of therapy forms the basis of modern day psychotherapy, there are many approaches that are currently in use.
The different forms of psychotherapy include:
- Person-centred/Humanistic Psychotherapy
- Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Integrated therapy
What does Psychotherapy Look Like in Practice?
A psychotherapy session will often involve your psychotherapist encouraging you to talk and explore your feelings, past memories and experiences. As part of this exploration, your therapist may use particular techniques such as imaging or dream work to help structure your thoughts. Sessions will generally talk place at the same time and place each week and will last in the region of 50 minutes. Each client is different and presents with different problems, so each session will be different and your psychotherapist during the first session may talk through with you the terms of your working relationship. Regardless of the therapeutic approach and techniques adopted, the underlying aim of therapy is to help clients develop a sense of mastery and control over the problem situation.
What Issues are Suited to Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy can prove useful in treating a number of emotional problems and can help you to understand your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify the causes of what makes you feel distressed so that you are better able to deal with the problem.
Psychotherapy can help with the following conditions and issues: psychotherapy for depression, psychotherapy for anxiety, psychosexual therapy, and phobia therapy, psychotherapy for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy, bereavement therapy, addiction therapy, relationship psychotherapy, psychotherapy for stress and therapy for work-related issues, low confidence therapy and therapy for low self-esteem,
Psychotherapy at Harley Therapy, London
We have several accredited psychotherapists who work from our rooms in Harley Street, W1 and in the City of London, EC2, treating a wide range of presenting issues. Please call us or book online to make an appointment for a psychotherapy assessment. For location details see:
