The Behavioral Medicine Report

What is psychotherapy? Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy” or “psychological treatment,” is a way to treat people with a mental disorder by helping them understand their illness. It teaches people strategies and gives them tools to deal with stress and unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps patients manage their symptoms better and function at their best in everyday life. Sometimes psychotherapy alone may be the best treatment for a person, depending on the illness and its severity. Other times, psychotherapy is combined with medications. Therapists work with an individual or families to devise an appropriate treatment plan. There a variety of different approaches to talk therapy. Most therapies have their strengths and weaknesses depending your interpersonal style and treatment goals. (continue reading)