Psychotherapy is often misunderstood as simply a means of overcoming problems in life. Looked at another way, psychotherapy can be seen as a means of understanding yourself and how you function better, in effect it can be seen as personal development.
Becoming conscious of yourself, your inner world, your fears and defences can change life significantly as increased awareness also brings more choices in life of how we want to respond to situations, rather than react to them and helps us choose a life that complements our true selves, allowing us to grow, rather than making unconscious choices out of fear which ultimately restricts us.
Psychotherapy works on the basis of a therapeutic relationship that grows over time through trust between therapist and client which in turn creates a safe and holding space for the client to explore their inner thoughts and feelings.
A therapist can be viewed as someone who is supportive, understanding and encouraging whilst also gently challenging at times in order to help the client understand themselves more. Sometimes this includes working at the edge of uncomfortable feelings in order to help the client grow.
There may be times, as this happens, that therapy may feel de-stabilising as difficult feelings are transformed and let go of. However the transformation of feelings is the path to a conscious, evolving and more enjoyable life.
Psychotherapy can be seen as a client’s own time and space to share anything that is prevalent in their life in the present and from the past in order to understand themselves better and a therapist will always encourage as much openness as possible in order for the client to understand themselves fully.
A therapist can also be seen as a person who has a client’s best interests in mind always and as a confidante and a shining light at times experienced as dark.
Lastly, psychotherapy can be a space to experience profound insights and often be enjoyable!
“Who looks outside dreams: who looks inside awakes” Carl. G. Jung