Psychotherapy: A Psychological Analysis

Psychotherapy came from the Greek word psyche means “spirit, soul, or being,” and therapy comes from the Greek therapeutics, which means “attendant or caretaker” (Austad, 2009). The broad definition of psychotherapy is the relationship among people. One person or more is defined as needing special assistance to improve his or her functioning as a person and the other persons is defined as able to render such special help (Austad, 2009). In short, psychotherapy is a type of therapy used to treat emotional problems and mental health conditions. Psychotherapy is a form of treatment by psychological means (Austad, 2009). It aims to improve a person’s social and emotional functioning, to provide a means to correct deviant behaviour, and to facilitate

A psychoanalytic therapist will encourage you to say whatever is going through your mind. This will help you become aware of hidden meanings or patterns in what you do or say that may be contributing to your problems. Uncovering and resolving these unconscious conflicts is the major gold of this therapy.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that examines how beliefs and thoughts are linked to behaviour and feelings. It teaches skills that retrain your behaviour and style of thinking to help you deal with stressful situations.

Cognitive analytical therapy (CAT) uses methods from both psychodynamic psychotherapy and CBT to work out how your behaviour causes problems, and how to improve it through self-help and experimentation. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) looks at the way an illness can be triggered by events involving relationships with others, such as bereavements, disputes or relocation. It helps you cope with the feelings involved, as well as work out coping

As well as listening and discussing important issues with you, a psychotherapist can suggest strategies for resolving problems and, if necessary, help you change your attitudes and behaviour. Some therapists teach specific skills to help you tolerate painful emotions, manage relationships more effectively, or improve behaviour. You may also be encouraged to develop your own solutions. In group therapy, the members support each other with advice and encouragement. A therapist will treat sessions as confidential. This means you can trust them with information that may be personal or embarrassing. As for becoming a psychotherapist in Malaysia, applicants for psychotherapy training, will usually need to have a good class of honours degree in a relevant subject or be a qualified and usually experienced healthcare practitioner, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health nurse or social worker. Where experience is required, it should be relevant to the field of psychotherapy in which the individual wishes to train such as focus on children, adolescent, couples or substance abuser and addicts. For instance, in Malaysia one needs to have a Masters Degree in psychology or counselling field. Besides that, one should be a registered counsellor and have experience in