Does psychotherapy or counselling take place in groups or one-to-one?
Both psychotherapy and counselling sessions may take place on a one-to-one basis, within a group setting or both, and your therapist or counsellor will discuss and agree with you which course of treatment would be most beneficial in your particular case.
What can group therapy or counselling offer that one-to-one sessions can’t?
Group therapy can be particularly beneficial in two key ways. First of all, the interaction with fellow sufferers helps individuals to feel that they are not alone and allows them to benefit from one another’s understanding, experience and support. Importantly, however, because the individual’s reactions and behaviour in a group setting generally mirrors those exhibited in the ‘outside world’, it also provides important clues which the patient and therapist or counsellor can use to make treatment even more effective. Group therapy can be particularly effective in the treatment of relationship problems, where the same types of issues are experienced by the sufferer time and time again.
How long does psychotherapy or counselling take to work?
In some cases, sessions may only need to continue for a few months, but of course much depends on the severity of the individual’s condition. In more severe cases, long-term treatment may prove to be most beneficial.
Will you have to tell my family, friends or boss that I am in psychotherapy or counselling?
Absolutely not. Our patients are protected by our strict confidentiality policy and to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of the country. Under no circumstances would we reveal the fact that you are attending therapy or any details of the discussions which take place within therapy without your permission.
Are there ever occasions where family members are also involved in psychotherapy or counselling sessions?
In some cases, such as those involving trauma in children, relationship issues or co-dependency issues relating to drug or alcohol abuse for example, it may be beneficial for family members or partners to be involved in certain of the sessions. This would only be the case where their involvement is first discussed and agreed with the patient beforehand however.
Isn’t psychotherapy and counselling about brainwashing?
No. Psychotherapy and counselling are well-recognised and well-respected treatment methods which have been used for many years to successfully treat emotional and psychological disorders. In neither case do they involve the therapist or counsellor pushing his or her views or opinions on the patient, but rather patients discover their own answers through developing their understanding of their own thoughts, feelings, behaviours and motivations. Essentially, these answers are within the individuals themselves and are not ones which are imposed on them.
