Choosing A San Francisco Psychotherapist

By Linda Maynard


Various patients pursue psychotherapy for a broad range of reasons. Numerous techniques are involved with such therapy, but all of them are designed to help the patient to achieve a more stable, positive state of mind. When in need of a San Francisco psychotherapist, clients should make their choice carefully, as one should never take a flippant approach to his or her mental or emotional health.

Most therapy of this type focuses on counseling and behavior modification. It also centers on the communication of feelings and ideas. A psychotherapist can assist a person to understand why he or she behaves in a certain way. In numerous instances, when this is accomplished, patients can better understand themselves, and eventually find relief from specific emotional or mental symptoms.

Each therapist's approach is somewhat unique. For this reason, in certain instances a person may need to speak to more than one professional before finding a psychotherapist with whom he or she has a good rapport. Because communication is vitally important whenever one is seeking mental or emotional treatment, it is essential to feel comfortable with one's practitioner.

Some psychotherapists assist their patients to express their thoughts in a nonverbal way. This type of treatment is indicated in cases where the patient being analyzed has difficulty communicating his or her feelings. In most practices, such programs are based on two distinct types of therapy, which are psychodynamics and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Some patients who enroll in psychotherapy have a certain amount of resistance to the treatment at a subconscious level. It is the task of the practitioner to eradicate these barriers, and assist the person to reach a healthy mental state. The patient may require extensive therapy, or this goal may be accomplished in a handful of sessions. The length of time required for successful treatment will depend on the specific disorder with which the patient is wrestling.

Experienced and reputable psychotherapists usually try to learn everything they can about their clients' psychological issues. Over time, the treatments and techniques used will be perfected as the professional learns more about the kind of patient he or she is helping. The primary goal of treatment is to help the person to change his or her behavioral patterns and control specific thoughts. This will ultimately help the client to break destructive cycles.

Psychotherapy may be needed for numerous reasons. Certain conditions are considered mental illnesses, while others stem from emotional issues. Various disorders for which one may need therapy include panic or anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, posttraumatic stress syndrome, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In addition, some people need help with issues that do not fall into a specific category.

No specific time frame exists regarding how soon a person will begin feeling better after participating in treatment. This is because the length of treatment depends on the type of disorder from which one is suffering, as well as the severity of the symptoms. In certain cases, behavioral therapy and counseling are helpful. In other instances, the need for medication is apparent. The professional can make the appropriate recommendations. Those who fear they are suffering from an emotional or mental illness should seek the services of a San Francisco psychotherapist without delay.




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