Psychotherapy Session For Depression

In our society, there is a lot of uncertainty about what actually happens during a therapy session, what topics and issues are amenable to therapy, and the benefits a therapy session can bring. What is therapy? We’d like to address some common questions and misconceptions about what isn’t and how it actually works.

Do I have to be ‘sick’ or ‘upset’ to see a therapist?

It’s a myth to think that you have to be “severely disturbed” to see a therapist.

While some therapists specialise in major emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and suicidal ideation, many focus simply on helping their clients deal with more typical everyday challenges. Just as some doctors specialise in treating life-threatening illnesses and others treat “everyday” ailments such as the flu, coughs, and colds, mental health professionals and psychotherapists have a wide variety of needs and goals. They can serve a wide range of clients with various types of therapy.

In fact, most clients are generally pretty healthy, successful, and high-performing people. Most people struggle with specific personal goals, such as negative thoughts, losing weight, finding a better work-life balance, finding ways to prevent depression, be a more effective parent and talk to family members, or fearing dating again after a painful breakup.

How do I find the right therapist for my goals/situation?

Choosing a therapist is like choosing any other service provider. We encourage you to visit the therapist’s website and read client testimonials and reviews (many of which do not exist due to confidentiality). It’s also a good idea to ask your friends, family, or even your doctor for recommendations (and of course, you can check who has health insurance networks).

If you want to tackle a specific problem, such as therapy for depression, overeating, smoking, or changing jobs, try to find a therapist with expertise in that area. They often list their specialities and areas of focus on their website. There are therapists who specialise in relationship issues, parenting issues, anger management, weight issues, sexuality, focus on treating depression, and just about every problem, goal, and situation you can think of. If you don’t know someone’s expertise, just call them up and ask. If they can’t solve your problem, they may be able to refer you to someone who can.

What actually happens during a therapy session?

Each session is essentially a problem-solving session or talking therapies. When you describe your current situation like mild to moderate depression, and how you feel about it, your therapist can use their expertise in treatment for depression to help you work through that issue and get you closer to the life you want.

At the beginning of the session, the therapist will usually ask you to share what’s going on in your life, what you’re thinking, what’s bothering you, or if you have any goals you’d like to talk about. The therapist listens to you and takes notes. Some people take notes after the session. You are not criticised, interrupted, or judged while you are speaking. Your conversation will be treated as strictly confidential. This is a special and unique way of speaking that allows you to be completely honest about how you feel without worrying about hurting others’ feelings, damaging relationships, or being punished in some way. 

It doesn’t matter what you want or need to say. Some therapists sometimes give their clients homework after the session. That homework might be setting up an online dating profile and finding a first date, or exercising three times a week. You can spend time writing your goals and doing any number of “steps” or “challenges” related to your goals. In the next session, you can share your progress and address areas where you’re frustrated.

Of course, every therapist is different, every client is unique, and every therapist-client relationship is different. Some therapists use dream interpretation in their work. Others incorporate music or art therapy into their work. Others include hypnotherapy, life coaching, meditation, visualisation, interpersonal therapy, and role-play exercises to “rehearse” challenging conversations. The list goes on and on. Ultimately, regardless of approach, the therapist listens without judgement and helps clients find solutions to the challenges they face.

Need to tell a story from your childhood?

Many people think seeing a therapist means digging up old skeletons from their childhood or talking about how bad their mothers were, and so on. It’s a myth. What you talk about during a therapy session can vary greatly depending on your personal circumstances and goals. Also, depending on your goals, you may not talk much about your past. Your therapeutic focus is likely to be your current reality and the future you want to shape.

That said, if you really don’t want to talk about your childhood, studies suggest that your strong desire not to talk about it may suggest that you should! If you have strong negative feelings about yourself, it is usually worth doing some research to find out why.

How long do I have to attend treatment?

This varies from person to person. For example: You book a session, your problem is resolved, and you are ready to go. They marched you through the solution and didn’t need a follow-up meeting. Sometimes bold, frank conversations work really well in short term scenarios.

Other clients book therapy sessions with a therapist over the course of weeks or months, focus on one problem, solve that problem, and then perhaps move on to another issue. Then there are other clients that have been working with a therapist long term. They appreciate having weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly “check-ins.” They can share their feelings, hone life skills when needed, or enjoy deeply nourishing guided meditations and hypnotherapy to relieve stress. 

Consider setting up a session or two and keep an open mind and see how things develop. See how much you have to lose and potentially gain a lot of clarity, self-understanding, and long-term happiness.

There You Have It

Therapy is about whatever the client needs. One-off conversations, psychological therapies, psychodynamic therapy, temporary support during life transitions, and ongoing experiences to optimise your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

A therapy session is a place where you don’t have to worry about hurting other people’s feelings. It can be completely honest. It also means you can solve problems faster and better. It’s also good for you and everyone in your life in the long run.