"To heal, we must come back into our bodies. And to come back into our bodies, we must feel.”
- Resmaa Menakem
What is psychotherapy?
The word ‘psychotherapy’ comes from the Greek words psyche (mind, spirit, soul) and therapeia (cure, service, heal). In essence, it means healing of the soul. In practice, it is a holistic treatment method with roots in philosophy, science, and symbolism which seeks to help gain a deeper understanding of issues concerning the human psyche. It is an effective way to alleviate mental distress and emotional pain caused by difficult life events, adverse experiences, depression, anxiety, or the impacts of developmental/childhood trauma.
Sometimes referred to as depth psychology, this way of working takes a closer examination of recurring patterns and seemingly insignificant events such as dreams, coincidences, slips of the tongue, and spontaneous humour to illuminate and make sense of unconscious thoughts, feelings, motivations, and desires. This allows one to heal painful wounds, to make better informed choices, and have a greater understanding of one’s life.
How is psychotherapy different to psychology or counselling?
The terms psychotherapy, psychology, and counselling are often used interchangeably. While they have some over lap, they are three different approaches to mental health support. Psychologists generally work from a medical model with a focus on assessment and diagnosis of symptoms. Cognitive and behavioural methods are used to address the symptoms. Some psychologists may provide therapy as part of their roles. Counselling typically focuses on addressing a specific concern (e.g. work stress) and finding a solution for it. Psychotherapy may similarly start with a single issue but then explore this more deeply to get to the root of related emotional and relational challenges. In general, psychotherapy addresses a more complex set of issues and behavioural patterns that take place over a longer period of time.