ARTICLES
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is the name of a group of therapies which help people deal with mental health concerns of any size, by working through cognitive, behavioural and emotional issues by addressing thinking patterns, improving coping strategies and refining behaviour.
What is the difference between self-help and psychotherapy?
The definition of psychotherapy is the treatment of mental or emotional disorder or of related bodily ills by psychological means. Used effectively, self-help products or services can enhance the healing journey but we need to know when it is helpful vs harmful.
The main approaches to psychotherapy
There are so many different types of therapy, and psychotherapy has a broad range of techniques within a few main categories. Psychotherapy is underpinned by talk therapy, yet there are vast differences in the techniques utilised for resolving mental health issues.
How does psychotherapy help?
Psychotherapy can deal with the different aspects of your obstacle and help you find the ways through the challenges you face. The therapist is a ‘facilitator’ of your journey through self-awareness and development of better health. It really puts you in charge of your change.
How does a person know they need therapy?
There are a few signs a person would be best to go through therapy than to keep struggling. For example: if one finds they are thinking about a problem too much, feeling sad, angry, anxious, stressed, depressed, lonely, unwell, or if their relationships are troubled.
How is a psychotherapist different from a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counsellor, or a coach?
There are so many different types of mental health professionals in the helping industry, and some overlap in their specialties, while some are very different from one another. In finding out how to select the right type of practitioner, it helps to know the differences between them.
How does psychotherapy help for physical injuries?
The vital role of psychotherapy in healing from injuries often entail more than just physical pain—they can also trigger significant emotional and psychological challenges. Therapy accelerates physical healing and fosters emotional resilience, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives.
What does “evidence-based psychotherapy” mean?
Evidence-based psychotherapies have scientific research supporting clinical experience, and patient characteristics. The results reflect effective outcomes in treating specific mental health conditions, therefore the use of evidence-based psychotherapy by qualified therapists, is encouraged.
What is personal development and how does it relate to psychotherapy?
Both personal development and psychotherapy are complementary approaches that aim to promote self-improvement, emotional healing, and holistic well-being. They both influence the mental health of a person. They are just done in slightly different ways, but have some overlap.
Emotional stress is increased by resistance to personal growth
Resisting personal growth traps individuals in familiar but limiting patterns of behaviour. Internal conflict, fear of change, and strain on relationships can underpin this type of resistance.
Life provides many opportunities for personal growth
Remembering that life provides opportunities for personal growth can help us get through hard times. If there are problems with relationships, money, or health, there are deeper reasons we can explore in our circumstances which can lead to fulfilment.
What are “mind-body techniques” and how are they beneficial in therapy?
Mind-Body techniques are used in the emotional aspect of physical health conditions, as well as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Mind-Body techniques are used in treating PTSD/CPTSD and research has shown these techniques contribute to improving patients’ wellbeing.
What is emotional trauma?
Experiencing psychological trauma can present through a variety of manifestations. Distressing experiences which have a deep impact on one’s emotional, psychological, and/or physical well-being, can leave lasting impressions on the person having or witnessing the experience.
Panic attacks – what are they and how does therapy help?
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort that triggers severe physical symptoms, even though there is no real danger or apparent cause. If you suffer from panic attacks, or know someone who does, there are things that help.
Panic attacks – what are the root causes?
The key to understanding panic attacks is to acknowledge having them. Only then can work be done to explore the root cause, which can help in reducing them. One of the worst things to tell ourselves is: “Don’t Panic”.
How mind-body techniques can help with managing panic attacks
Mind-body techniques can be highly effective in managing panic attacks. Since emotions can be felt in the body as well as interpreted by the mind, these techniques focus on the connection between the two. It’s imperative for any type of recovery, that both the mind and the body process information…
The pressure of sitting in the corner office
By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by executives and implementing strategies to support their well-being, companies can cultivate healthier, more resilient leadership teams capable of steering their organisations towards success in a sustainable manner.
The truth behind lonely people and their heart health
Feeling isolated and lonely have some health consequences which we wouldn’t wish on anyone. Getting support to help work through loneliness is a very important angle of approaching aspects of heart health.
Psychotherapy helps heart health by supporting emotional wellbeing and providing social support
Psychotherapy can have indirect benefits by addressing psychological factors that contribute to issues with heart health.
Navigating stress and anxiety in the face of global uncertainty
In an increasingly interconnected world, the impact of global events on our mental health cannot be ignored. From the COVID-19 pandemic to political upheavals and environmental crises, stress and anxiety become unwelcome companions as we navigate through these turbulent times.
Battling social isolation and loneliness: dealing with global challenges together
It’s ironic that we live in a world characterized by connectivity with nearly every corner of the planet. Paradoxically, many find themselves grappling with profound feelings of social isolation and loneliness.
Perfectionism – the art of letting time pass by distracting oneself through self-judgement.
Perfectionism could be another way of punishing oneself with never-ending judgements which undermines one’s ability to genuinely connect with the self and others for an indefinite amount of time.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal human emotion characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It's a natural response to stress and can be triggered by various situations or thoughts, such as upcoming exams, job interviews, financial problems, or health concerns.
Our state of mind influences our physical health
The relationship between state of mind and physical health is intricate and multifaceted. The mind can influence physical health and vice versa. It’s helpful to have a healthy lifestyle and build self-awareness about what you can do to keep yourself well.
What are emotions?
Emotions are complex. They are subjective experiences that involve physiological arousal, cognitive appraisal, expressive behaviour, and subjective feelings. They play a fundamental role in human psychology and influence various aspects of behaviour, cognition, and social interactions.
What is emotional health?
Emotional health refers to the overall state of well-being in relation to one's emotions, including the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions effectively. It encompasses various aspects of emotional functioning.
How does emotional health improve from going through psychotherapy sessions?
Psychotherapy enhances emotional health by fostering self-awareness, teaching coping strategies, improving emotional regulation, and addressing interpersonal dynamics, trauma, and negative beliefs, ultimately promoting resilience and acceptance.
World events can directly and vicariously cause trauma
Exposure to traumatic events, whether directly or indirectly through media coverage, can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related mental health conditions. Natural disasters, conflicts, or acts of violence can leave lasting psychological scars on individuals and communities.
How people with difficult backgrounds can teach us about ourselves
People with difficult backgrounds teach us resilience, gratitude, empathy, and resourcefulness, enriching our perspectives and growth. We can take a leaf out of their book!
How to get started in therapy and see results
Starting therapy can improve mental health. Find the right therapist, set goals, be honest, stay consistent, and apply learned strategies. Patience and openness lead to progress.
Why parents need to work on themselves
When parents invest in their own growth and well-being, they are better equipped to raise happy, healthy, and well-adjusted children. The benefits of self-improvement for parents extend far beyond their own lives, profoundly influencing their children's development and future success.
Therapy for dealing with change
Therapy for navigating change is very effective. Coaching principles, therapeutic interventions, and the motivation for wanting to feel better are all helpful ingredients for a useful personal development journey when things feel hard.
How does therapy relate to resolving past or current life events?
Therapy is a type a personal development. It can support people through inspiring insights, creating emotional closure, and developing tools for facing both past and present life events with resilience. By integrating changes learned through personal development, clients often experience a more fulfilling life aligned with their authentic selves
Mondayitis: It’s time to explore your career
Mondayitis is a negative emotional and physical reaction that occurs on a Sunday evening or Monday morning. It consists of irritability, fatigue, inability to focus on tasks, a lack of interest in going to work or it could be headaches or digestive upsets. If you have any of these feelings…
Take control of your health by reducing stress
Stress affects nearly every system in your body. Cardiovascular health, digestive health, immunity, hormonal balance, sleeping issues, and muscle tension and pain are all impacted by being under stress. It is important for happiness and productivity to help your health by reducing stress.
How stress affects health in women
Stress significantly affects women’s emotional and physical health. Emotionally, chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can impair mood regulation and contribute to anxiety and depression. Recognising and managing stress is essential for maintaining women’s overall well-being and resilience.
Workplace stress affects physical health in men
Emotional stress has profound implications for men’s health. It affects both the body and mind. While developing healthy capabilities to cope, fostering awareness can help mitigate the adverse effects of stress. Taking action within coaching or therapy helps in recognising the impact of stress and is the first step toward…
Why parents need to reduce their work-related stress.
Children are deeply attuned to their parents’ emotional states, often sensing tension long before it is spoken. Even when parents believe they are shielding their children, stress can quietly transfer through tone of voice, body language, routines, and emotional availability.
Yes, emotional stress affects physical health in children, but just how does it show up?
Emotional stress affects children physically. In reality, most parents don’t know what the symptoms their children are presenting with, mean. Since we are not generally taught about stress, unless we intentionally study it, health issues can go unsolved. Parents need to know they can improve their child’s health outcomes. They…
DISCLAIMER
These articles are not to replace a licensed therapist’s advice, or to influence any choices in where one gets psychological assistance, who with, and during which time. The posts are simply designed to help people find out what they might like to look further into regarding the self-help, coaching, and therapy industries. The reader is responsible for their own decisions, actions and behaviour. Further exploration on topics is recommended before making any decisions related to the details in the posts. These articles are designed to be at a superficial level of discussion. In compiling the posts, we have attempted to keep triggering material to a minimum, yet we cannot guarantee that readers will be comfortable when reading any of our content at any time. If you are experiencing any type of emotional discomfort while reading any of the posts, please consider if you need some support.