Even before the written language, people told stories and parables. It’s an ancient tradition that often served as a kind of therapy, helping others heal while passing on indelible wisdom to support others. More than 3,500 years ago, references to “healing through words” appeared in ancient Egyptian and Greek writings. The word “counselling” found its way into Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath’s Tale in 1386.

The more formal term “psychotherapy” was coined in the late 1800s, which the Mayo Clinic defines as a “general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health provider.” It’s during psychotherapy where participants examine their moods, feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, while learning how to take control and respond to challenging situations in a healthy way.

In 1879, an article in The Lancet, an international medical journey, suggested that telephone calls could reduce unnecessary doctor visits. It was the first known time that tele-health — the ability to conveniently receive treatment remotely — was noted publicly and professionally. Less than a decade later, one of the most famous psychotherapists of all time, Sigmund Freud, founded psychoanalysis.

Key Players

While Freud represents an often-cited, prominent name in psychology, Viennese physician Franz Mesmer is considered the “Father of Western Psychotherapy.” He pioneered hypnotherapy in the 1700s to treat psychosomatic problems and other disorders. The word “mesmerise” is traced to Mesmer, who established a theory of illness that involved internal magnetic forces, a school of thought which later became known as mesmerism.

His use of magnets and high doses of iron didn’t impress the medical community in the U.S. or even in France where he later fled. Skeptics claimed that Mesmer’s patients were improved by their desire to get better — not by his magnetism or hypnosis. Regardless, Psychologist Philip Cushman notes his long-lasting impact.

“In certain ways, mesmerism was the first secular psychotherapy in America, a way of ministering psychologically to the great America unchurched. It was an ambitious attempt to combine religion with psychotherapy, and it spawned ideologies such as mind cure philosophy, the New Thought movement, Christian Science and American spiritualism,” he wrote.

Now on to Freud. If you’ve ever used the term “anal retentive” or “Freudian slip,” you’ve kept Freud’s influence on modern day culture alive and well. Although controversial, Freud’s theories centre on the two-part human mind — the conscious and the unconscious. He saw the human personality as the id, ego, and superego and suggested that children go through a series of psychosexual stages.

In addition to his insights into dreams and defence mechanisms, one of his greatest contributions was talk therapy. The simple idea of talking about a problem to help alleviate it came from his work with colleague Josef Breuer and one of his patients, Bertha Pappenheim. Through Pappenheim’s treatment for hysteria, they noticed that discussing her experiences provided some relief for her symptoms of blurred vision, hallucinations, and partial paralysis. Pappenheim referred to the treatment as the “talking cure.”

Freud’s belief system greatly influenced 20th-century thinking where many ailments began to be treated psychologically rather than physically. Freudian theory is still applied in many fields, from Freudian readings of literary works to pop-culture hot takes.

Therapy offers a range of benefits that can positively impact your well-being. Here are some reasons why therapy is amazing:

1. Less Anxiety and Depression: Therapy can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, providing relief and improving your mental health.

2. Lower Likelihood of Future Relapses: Regular therapy sessions can contribute to preventing relapses and maintaining stability in your mental health.

3. Better Functioning at Work and School: By addressing emotional challenges, therapy can enhance your ability to focus, perform well, and manage stress in various aspects of life.

4. Improvements in Relationships: Therapy helps you develop healthier communication skills, understand relationship dynamics, and navigate conflicts more effectively.

5. Enhanced Attention and Focus: Working with a therapist can lead to better concentration and attention, which positively impacts daily life.

Therapy isn’t just for major crises — it can also be beneficial for personal growth, self-compassion, and understanding your feelings better. If you’re considering therapy, know that seeking help is a courageous step toward better mental and emotional health!

The most crucial aspect of therapy is the therapeutic relationship between the individual and the therapist. Research consistently shows that this relationship significantly influences the effectiveness of therapy.

Through dialogue, empathy, and collaboration, therapists create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can openly discuss their challenges and work toward positive change.

Additionally, four key factors contribute to effective therapy: self-acceptance, self-knowledge, relationship quality, and consideration of others.

These pillars go beyond symptom relief and promote holistic well-being. If you’re considering therapy, remember that seeking help is a valuable step toward improving your quality of life.

Good therapy can indeed feel rewarding and positive for several reasons. Here are some key factors:

1. Belief in Change: A crucial element of successful therapy is believing that it will improve your life. Just as the placebo effect demonstrates the power of our thoughts and expectations in medicine, having confidence in therapy’s efficacy often leads to positive outcomes.

2. Therapeutic Relationship: A strong bond with your therapist is essential. Trust, respect, and feeling understood create an effective working partnership. If you encounter issues early on, address them openly with your therapist.

3. Increased Awareness: Therapy helps you become more aware of your thought patterns, behaviours, and relationships. Recognising automatic reactions and unhelpful habits is the first step toward positive change.

4. Focus on the Future: While therapy acknowledges past experiences, it also emphasises moving forward and living better. It’s about understanding yourself and making practical changes.

Therapy isn’t always easy, but it can lead to significant improvements in various aspects of your life.

Certainly! Therapists use a variety of phrases and techniques to support their clients during therapy sessions. Here are some common things therapists often say:

1. Validating the Client’s Feelings: Therapists acknowledge and validate the emotions clients express. They might say things like:

   • “It’s understandable that you feel that way.”

   • “Most people would feel the same in your situation.”

   • “You have every right to feel angry/sad/afraid.”

2. Normalizing the Client’s Experiences: Many clients feel isolated or ashamed of their struggles. Therapists normalize their experiences by saying things like:

   • “You’re not alone; many people go through similar challenges.”

   • “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed; life can be tough.”

3. Encouraging the Client: Therapists motivate clients to persevere and continue their personal growth. They might say:

   • “You’re making progress; keep going!”

   • “I believe in your ability to overcome this.”

4. Offering Reassurance: Therapists provide reassurance during difficult moments:

   • “We’ll work through this together.”

   • “You’re stronger than you realize.”

5. Providing Perspective: Therapists help clients see situations from different angles:

   • “Let’s explore other ways to view this.”

   • “Consider how this might look in a year.”

6. Imparting Psychoeducation: Therapists educate clients about mental health, coping strategies, and self-care:

   • “Here’s how anxiety works.”

   • “Try practicing mindfulness to manage stress.”

Therapy is a healing conversation, and therapists tailor their responses to each client’s unique needs and circumstances.

Certainly! Therapy can indeed contribute to your happiness and overall well-being. Here are some ways therapy can make you happier:

1. A Fresh Set of Eyes: A therapist or counsellor can offer a new perspective on your challenges, helping you see things from a different angle.

2. Talking About It Helps: Discussing your concerns aloud can be incredibly beneficial. It clarifies your thoughts, provides solutions, and offers emotional relief.

3. Understanding Emotions: Therapy helps you explore and understand your emotions better. By celebrating the variety of human emotions, you can evolve through them rather than avoiding them.

4. Recognising Unhelpful Patterns: Therapists help you identify patterns of thought and behaviour that may hinder your happiness. Recognising these patterns allows you to make positive changes.

5. Me-Time: Therapy sessions provide dedicated time for self-reflection and self-improvement. It’s an opportunity to focus on your wellbeing.

Seeking therapy doesn’t mean you’re “crazy.” It’s a valuable resource for personal growth and improved functioning.

Therapists often face several challenges in their work. Here are some of the hardest aspects of therapy:

1. Navigating Painful Territory: Therapy requires clients to explore potentially painful memories and emotions. While it’s effective, it can be tough to witness clients working through their issues.

2. Changing Deeply Entrenched Patterns: Helping clients let go of long-held maladaptive thought patterns is challenging. These patterns often serve a purpose but may hinder growth. Encouraging positive change while respecting familiar patterns is a delicate balance.

3. Balancing Empathy and Encouragement: Therapists must finesse the balance between meeting clients where they are emotionally and encouraging growth. Unconsciously recreating familiar patterns can impede progress.

4. Emotional Work: Therapy involves intense emotional work. Clients may experience a mix of difficult and exciting realisations, wonder about progress, and sometimes feel emotions worsening before improvement.

That therapy is a collaborative process, and therapists work hard to support their clients on their healing journey. 😊

Therapy can indeed lead to changes in various aspects of a person. Here are some key points:

1. Personality Traits: Research shows that talk therapy or psychiatric medications can change personality traits in both healthy individuals and those with psychological disorders. These changes can occur relatively quickly and continue years after therapy. For example, reductions in neuroticism (emotional instability) and increases in extraversion have been observed.

2. Attitudes: Yes, people can change their attitudes. Understanding how attitudes form and impact our lives is crucial. Sometimes, attitudes are linked to emotional pain or past experiences. Therapy can help resolve these challenges and facilitate attitude change.

3. Habits: Habits are behaviours we’ve repeated so often that they become automatic. You can change habits by becoming aware of them and purposefully modifying the behaviour until the new habit becomes automatic.

Your therapist stares at you for a good reason! It’s part of a technique called “active listening.” By maintaining eye contact, they read your body language for hidden clues and form a bond with you. This helps them gather information about your concerns and fosters an environment of open communication.

Additionally, therapists watch closely to understand not just what you say but how you say it, your body language, and other cues. So, if it feels uncomfortable, consider discussing it with your therapist—they’ll welcome the conversation and adjust their approach if needed.

Silence in therapy serves a crucial purpose. When therapists remain silent, it creates a space for healing and reflection. Here’s why:

1. Client Exploration: Silence allows clients to explore their inner experiences, thoughts, and emotions. It provides a pause for introspection, helping them gain insights into their own feelings and reactions.

2. Client Responsibility: By not immediately filling the silence, therapists encourage clients to take responsibility for their own healing. Clients have time to process their thoughts and come to their own conclusions, fostering a sense of agency and empowerment.

3. A Holding Environment: D.W. Winnicott described silence as a “holding environment.” In this supportive silence, clients feel safe and can express themselves freely without interruption or pressure.

Therapeutic silence is as powerful as spoken words—it allows clients to lead the session and engage in deeper self-exploration.