What are the benefits of psychotherapy, and why should I try it?” People from all walks of life ask themselves this and similar questions. They do this especially when they have personal problems or believe they might be experiencing mental health issues.

Is psychotherapy beneficial? Compelling evidence shows that many people are indeed helped by psychotherapy. The American Psychological Association (APA) says that roughly 75% of people who try psychotherapy benefit from it.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the many benefits associated with psychotherapy. We hope reading this will help you decide if it’s right for you.

The Patient-Therapist Relationship

Discussing troubling personal concerns with family and close friends can be helpful. The simple act of sharing what’s bothering you can provide much-needed support and comfort. Yet, it doesn’t always bring resolution.

That’s why seeing a psychotherapist is such a good idea. The APA supports collaborative interactions between a psychotherapist and a patient (i.e., therapeutic alliance). This is where real problem-solving and the accompanying relief begin.

It might take some searching (as well as trial and error) to find the psychotherapist who best understands your needs. But when you do, they’ll help you through your difficulties. We have some advice on this topic in the next section.

Finding the Right Psychotherapist

As you might know, mental health issues are still somewhat stigmatized in our society—though far less than they were in the past. Today, more and more people are turning to psychotherapy as the mental health solution they need.

Still, we tend to delay the project of finding the right psychotherapist. We aren’t sure about sharing intimate details of our lives with strangers. And we puzzle over how to find the right therapist: someone we will like and respect.

So how do you do this? Here are our recommendations:

• Research different therapists, their backgrounds, and their areas of expertise.
• Check online reviews for recommendations by past or current patients.
• Call those you’re considering to gather first impressions—then follow your gut instinct.
• Make sure they’re covered by your insurance or that you will be able to pay out of pocket.
• Try your selected psychotherapist for a few sessions before deciding whether to look for someone else.

In short, let your judgment and intuition be determinants. But unless something seems odd or wrong, allow the relationship to develop before going elsewhere.

A Few of the Many Benefits of Psychotherapy

We often grumble about getting so little time with our medical doctors and other healthcare professionals. With most, we’re lucky to have even 15 minutes of their time. In contrast, getting to know you is a psychotherapist’s primary job.

You might ask, “is psychotherapy beneficial? Our answer is, “You bet it is!” The following sections offer some reasons why.

It’s Gentle Yet Effective

Many people aren’t aware of the differences between a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.). Their specific focus is mental health patients who stand to benefit from prescription drug therapies.

In contrast, a psychotherapist relies on years of training, an empathic disposition, and excellent listening skills. This so-called “talking cure” makes a significant difference in many patients’ lives.

Research has shown that psychotherapy is as effective as psychiatric drugs in many instances. It can treat problems such as depression and anxiety. And it does so without the unpleasant side effects of many psychiatric medications.

A psychotherapist can have a variety of titles and possess one of a few advanced degrees or certifications—as follows:

• A psychologist (PhD, PsyD, or EdD)
• A licensed mental health counselor (MA in psychology, counseling, or a related field)
• A clinical social worker (at least a master’s degree in social work and training to be able to evaluate and treat mental illnesses)
• A psychiatric or mental health nurse (special training in providing mental health services, possibly with additional certifications)

Psychotherapy and psychological counseling differ, though. Whereas psychotherapy is broad in scope, counseling focuses more on specific issues. It’s meant to help people address specific problems, like addiction or stress management.

It Can Establish Healthy Behaviors and Habits

Most of the time, we find it easier to notice other people’s unhealthy habits and behaviors than we do our own. We might even feel compelled to call others’ attention to their faults while remaining oblivious to our own.

In either situation, hearing from others about problems we need to get under control can have long-term benefits when we seek a psychotherapist’s help. Our healing processes begin when we:

• Identify, use, and build our natural strengths
• Understand our symptoms and what triggers them
• Learn coping skills to handle those symptoms
• Understand how the past influences our present-day emotions
• Can navigate difficult circumstances

In some cases, the impacts of psychotherapy take hold after several sessions. In others, we benefit from ongoing work with a therapist.

It Can Restore and Improve People’s Sense of Control

Many of us consider starting psychotherapy when we believe we’ve lost control of our life circumstances. This could mean anything from job loss to a life-altering medical diagnosis to a destructive event like a fire or flood.

One of the benefits of psychotherapy is how it can refocus our priorities. For example, we might learn to let go of anxieties in our work lives that have caused us to neglect loved ones’ needs.

Psychotherapists encourage us to develop self-care strategies and learn to delegate responsibility instead of taking it all on ourselves. And they teach us to discern our problematic behavior patterns and create future visions to address them.

Once you’ve regained positive and forward-thinking control in your life, the next step might be working with a life coach.

A life coach is someone with strategic wisdom who encourages you. They will help you identify and move forward along whatever path you choose.

Yes, Psychotherapy Does Help

Perhaps not everyone needs psychotherapists. But most who do need them speak strongly in their favor. Some say they feel more empowered because of them; others say they’ve reclaimed their productive lives. Most agree it’s time well spent.

It’s a shame that not everyone in our country has equal access to the benefits of psychotherapy. We believe that, just as with their physical health, most people could also use regular mental health check-ups.

If you would like to see one of our psychotherapists, coaches, or other counselors, it would be our pleasure to schedule an appointment for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.