What Should I Expect from Psychotherapy Counseling?

People preparing for psychotherapy counseling can expect a variety of things from the therapeutic relationship, depending on the reasons they seek counseling, the approach of the counselor, and their willingness to participate in therapy. Counseling usually involves a series of one-hour sessions at set intervals where the client meets with the therapist to discuss specific issues. Some therapists may have homework for their patients, asking them to keep journals or think about issues outside of therapy. Counseling may also involve referrals for prescriptions, group therapy, and other activities.

In some psychotherapy counseling, the goal is to address a specific issue like a phobia, anxiety, or recent episode of depression. The therapist will work with the client to learn about the origins of the issue and to start to work through it. Approaches can vary considerably, and patients may want to talk to therapists beforehand about what to expect. Patients may simply talk, or they may be asked to draw, use props, undergo hypnosis, and engage in other activities to explore an issue and work on a resolution to the problem.

Other people seek psychotherapy counseling for more general mental health care. They may not have a specific issue they need to work on, but could have concerns about their mental state, or an interest in probing into several issues. This type of counseling usually involves a longer therapeutic relationship and people may explore a variety of topics at different times during therapy.

People can expect privacy in psychotherapy counseling. Anything they discuss cannot be disclosed to a third party without their specific consent, except in cases where statements suggest a patient may be a threat to himself or others. Psychotherapists observe very strict confidentiality codes to make sure their clients feel comfortable. People with specific questions can ask for more information. Therapists also have ethical restrictions regarding physical contact with their clients, accepting gifts, and other activities.

Sometimes, psychotherapy counseling is not a good fit for a given patient and she may need to try another care provider. Lack of progress in therapy does occur, and people can usually determine if it is because of a mismatch between therapist and client, or if it's the result of another issue. Therapists can refer their clients to other therapists, if the client desires. Either party can terminate the relationship at any time and they may decide to do so when the client clearly has no more need for therapy.