Understanding psychotherapy

Plain-language answers from the knowledge library of Heal with Irene, the practice of Dr. Irene Behnan, Clinical Psychologist. Browse and search the full library.

Choosing therapy and a therapist

What types of psychotherapy are there?

There are quite a few types of psychotherapy, the most famous being talk therapy. Different theories are offered by different therapists such as psychoanalysis, psychodynamic, cognitive therapy, family systems with all its models, existential therapy and gestalt, and more. Each theory has its own tools and interventions to help the client with the issues addressed. There are therapists who are trained and comfortable using more than one theory in order to best serve their clients.

What makes therapy effective?

All therapies can be very effective depending on the education, practical experience and interpersonal communication skills of the therapist, the fit between the therapist and the client, the client’s needs, and the client’s will.

What is the purpose of psychotherapy?

The purpose of psychotherapy is to gain self awareness, live and embrace the present and work towards a better life.

Therapy feels painful. Does that mean it is not working?

There will be times of pain during the process of therapy, and sometimes clients give up thinking that therapy does not work. In most cases those are the times when the client is processing and beginning to heal.

How do I find the right therapist for me?

If you find yourself having the desire to enhance your quality of life, or struggling with a certain matter that you have tried to resolve your own way without result, take the first step towards your goal. This could be done through searching the web, calling different therapists, and perhaps meeting with them for consultations until you meet your fit.