Psychotherapist — doctor of the soul: who they are, how they help, and who they help

There are moments in life when it becomes difficult to cope emotionally. Stress, anxiety, and worries accumulate and interfere with normal life. Sometimes friends and family cannot help, and that is when a psychotherapist comes to the rescue. This specialist makes it easier to understand your thoughts and feelings and find a way out of difficult situations.

Who is a psychotherapist and what do they do?

The task of a psychotherapist is to help people cope with emotional and psychological difficulties. They don't just listen, but use scientific methods to help change thinking, behavior, and attitude towards life. Unlike a psychologist, a psychotherapist has medical training and can prescribe medication if necessary.

The main tasks of a psychotherapist are:

• They help people cope with anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching self-regulation techniques. You can worry less by working through negative beliefs. Such a specialist can be a source of support during difficult periods in life.
• A psychotherapist works with trauma and difficult experiences, helping to understand and process traumatic experiences, reduce the impact of memories, and restore a sense of security.
• Such a specialist improves self-esteem and self-confidence by identifying and changing limiting beliefs, developing acceptance of one's personality, and helping to get rid of perfectionism.
• They help resolve conflicts at home and at work by developing communication skills. They teach how to set healthy boundaries and improve understanding of others.
• Psychotherapists treat mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and panic disorders, OCD, PTSD, and other conditions using various therapeutic methods. If necessary, they work together with a psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy comes in many forms. Some methods help you understand yourself better, others teach you how to cope with your emotions, and still others are aimed at changing negative attitudes. Depending on the problem, the psychotherapist chooses the appropriate method of work.

Who can benefit from psychotherapy

You don't have to have a serious mental disorder to see a psychotherapist. They can also help people who just feel lost, are going through a tough time, or want to understand themselves better.

Who usually sees a psychotherapist:

• People who've been through a lot of stress or loss.
• Those who experience constant anxiety or fear.
• People who have relationship problems.
• Those who suffer from low self-esteem.
• Women, men, and teenagers who want to change their lives but don't know how.

It is important to understand that psychotherapy is not just a heart-to-heart conversation. It is work on oneself that requires time and effort. But if you trust a specialist and are ready to change, life can really become easier and happier.

Sometimes you need not only a psychotherapist, but also a psychiatrist. This is especially necessary if a person has severe mental disorders that require medication. These can include severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, acute psychotic states, severe obsessive thoughts and compulsions, severe anxiety disorders, uncontrollable aggression, suicidal thoughts, or hallucinations. A psychiatrist prescribes medication, and psychotherapy can be an adjunctive treatment method.