What Is Psychotherapy? 

Psychotherapy is a process. The psychotherapist works within the client’s value system. The therapist is a change agent.

The client presents the problem that he or she is struggling with. The therapist helps the client to motivate him or herself to make the changes necessary to solve the problem. 

The therapist does not define what is right or wrong, but instead helps the client to define what is meaningful, useful or “right” for him or her. Ultimately the client chooses in which direction to go, what values to adopt, and what values to discard.

One of the main purposes of psychotherapy is to help clients recognize their strengths, discover what is preventing them from using their strengths, and clarify what types of people they want to be. Life is an ongoing process of being and becoming, of stalling and then moving, of changing and stabilizing.

There are many different reasons a person would want psychotherapy. Some of these reasons are: finding meaning in life

• decreasing stress

• examining frustration and disappointment

• managing inner conflicts and struggles

• adjusting to society

• attaining happiness and satisfaction

• progressing with self actualization

• reducing anxiety

• personality changes

• eliminating bad habits

• replacing poor coping skills with more helpful ones

• pulling out of depression

• and many more issues

Some of these issues are small, some are large, and some are very difficult.

Many people think a therapist should use the fifty minute therapy hour to eliminate suffering, pain and uncertainty for the client in that hour and or in life in general. When therapists make contentment the goal of the session or the immediate therapy goal, they are cheating the clients. When therapy is geared toward growth, then some degree of discontent, confusion, anxiety and pain seems inevitable. It is the therapist’s job to encourage clients to take risks that might well lead to an increase of discontentment for a time but that, hopefully, will result in longer term satisfaction.

Assessment
The first one to two sessions are an assessment. In the assessment the therapist gathers history, patterns, significant events, family of origin issues, genetic information, finds out what motivates the client, and what is important to the client. The current challenge is explored.

Goals
In the second or third session, the client's goals are developed if the client is aware of what he or she wants to change in his or her life. Goals can be general or specific, and short term or long term. The therapist and client work together to create goals. The therapist and client also clarify what it is the client wishes he or she were doing instead of the unwanted behavior. Criteria for success is also discussed in the second or third session. It is important for the client and therapist to clarify how they will know when the goals are met and the client is ready to leave therapy.

Email Jill for an appointment or for more information at
changeagent@charlotte.twcbc.com
or dial (704)-591-0648

Hours: Mon - Fri
Late mornings, afternoons,
and early evenings

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