What Is the Essence of Psychotherapy?

[neurologyoncall]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have looked at different articles and I am not sure what the essence of therapy is. It seems to be a lot of things depending on the particular therapy. But this is my conclusion: Therapy is about helping people either change themselves (how they view things, using cognitive methods), their lives (using problems solving), or simply accept their circumstances (bit more religious/spiritual in nature than other ones). My original view was that it's all about problem solving but I think sometimes religious folks do just fine because they are ready to accept great injustice or pain simply because they see meaning and purpose in it. So in that sense, they may try not as hard as some other people to change their life or their circumstances. I myself have never been to a therapist because I don't think there is anything I can't handle on my own. Why? Because I'm a great problem solver. And look at things very rationally. My strength is in math in fact though I love to go into med (I'm premed) because I think medicine is all about problem solving. I have never tried to either change my view of things or accept them though I suppose sometimes (incurable disease) you simply have to accept your circumstances.

 

[wigflip]

I have looked at different articles and I am not sure what the essence of therapy is. It seems to be a lot of things depending on the particular therapy. But this is my conclusion: Therapy is about helping people either change themselves (how they view things, using cognitive methods), their lives (using problems solving), or simply accept their circumstances (bit more religious/spiritual in nature than other ones). My original view was that it's all about problem solving but I think sometimes religious folks do just fine because they are ready to accept great injustice or pain simply because they see meaning and purpose in it. So in that sense, they may try not as hard as some other people to change their life or their circumstances. I myself have never been to a therapist because I don't think there is anything I can't handle on my own. Why? Because I'm a great problem solver. And look at things very rationally. My strength is in math in fact though I love to go into med (I'm premed) because I think medicine is all about problem solving. I have never tried to either change my view of things or accept them though I suppose sometimes (incurable disease) you simply have to accept your circumstances.

I'd be cautious about over-investing in "rationality" if you are pursuing medicine. You'll need to communicate with patients, many of whom will not share your background or viewpoints. Understanding and working with their systems of meaning will be crucial, especially when their choices don't appear rational (to you). Consider reading The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman.

 

[erg923]

I myself have never been to a therapist because I don't think there is anything I can't handle on my own.

Heh, Kids...

Serioulsy, though..that perception is probably normal at your age. It will change over time (at least in healthy populations it does). However, I do feel compelled to now tell my patients that the only reason they seeing me is because they are poor "problem solvers..." 😉

For the "essence of psychotherapy" I would recommend anything by Carl Rogers. I would also recommend Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankel. I think the latter would be particularly beneficial for you.

 

[LHDMMD]

I myself have never been to a therapist because I don't think there is anything I can't handle on my own. Why? Because I'm a great problem solver. And look at things very rationally. My strength is in math in fact though I love to go into med (I'm premed) because I think medicine is all about problem solving. I have never tried to either change my view of things or accept them though I suppose sometimes (incurable disease) you simply have to accept your circumstances.

Not trying to be a b*tch but you sound pretty arrogant. It also sounds like you're saying that people who need therapy just need to be better problem solvers. This is a totally over simplistic view of treatment of mental disorders. Any while medicine does involve problem solving it also involves a lot of other skills such as empathy and compassion.

 

[serotonin]

sounds like a new deodorant scent to me.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

For the "essence of psychotherapy" I would recommend anything by Carl Rogers. I would also recommend Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankel.

These are both excellent recommendations. Roger's "A Way of Being" is also worth a read. I'm not the 'touchy feely' type, but I think it is important to acknowledge that the therapuetic process cannot be reduced down via rational reconstruction. The world makes sense when 1+1 = 2, but eventually 1+1 = 3 will happen, and logic goes out the window. I believe that with the exception of sociopaths, most everyone can benefit from some form of psychotherapy.

 

[Jegg]

The essence of psychotherapy is moisture. Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.

 

[Tesseract18]

The essence of psychotherapy is moisture. Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.

YES. 😍

 

[wigflip]

The essence of psychotherapy is moisture. Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.

Jegg, when I see your tail a-twitchin', I know I'm in for some much needed laugh therapy. You always deliver!

 

[IT514]

I have looked at different articles and I am not sure what the essence of therapy is. It seems to be a lot of things depending on the particular therapy. But this is my conclusion: Therapy is about helping people either change themselves (how they view things, using cognitive methods), their lives (using problems solving), or simply accept their circumstances (bit more religious/spiritual in nature than other ones). My original view was that it's all about problem solving but I think sometimes religious folks do just fine because they are ready to accept great injustice or pain simply because they see meaning and purpose in it. So in that sense, they may try not as hard as some other people to change their life or their circumstances. I myself have never been to a therapist because I don't think there is anything I can't handle on my own. Why? Because I'm a great problem solver. And look at things very rationally. My strength is in math in fact though I love to go into med (I'm premed) because I think medicine is all about problem solving. I have never tried to either change my view of things or accept them though I suppose sometimes (incurable disease) you simply have to accept your circumstances.

Well - to get you thinking - heres a question for you. Why is it that plenty of great problem solvers have terrible relationships with their spouses and other people? Lots of people think they are great problem solvers until they try to work with other ppl - why?

 

[neurologyoncall]

People are just focusing on me talking about problem solving but like I said, I said the essence of therapy is about problem solving but also changing your views or simply accepting things. Nobody has yet challenged this definition. Some have recommended books. And some saying that problem solving is not all there is which I never said there was. I used the example of incurable disease as something that can not be solved. Same with death. Or aging.

As for your question, I simply disagree. I think great problem solvers have FANTASTIC relationships with their family and friends. That's mainly why psychologists have great relationships with people. They don't ignore problems or differences, the way most do. Instead, they try to find a solution. The people you're thinking of, are not real problem solvers. They may be experts in, say, physical chemistry. In that field, they are very knowledgeable and yes, great problem solvers. But that does not necessarily transfer.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

That's mainly why psychologists have great relationships with people. They don't ignore problems or differences, the way most do. Instead, they try to find a solution.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣:

No really.

Have you MET any psychologists outside of a professional setting? We're some of the most interpersonally ambivalent, socially awkward, downright weird people on the planet. It's the age-old paradox of the hairdresser with horrendous hair.

I get where you're coming from, but you're spewing generalizations that are solely opinion, just like I just did.

 

[erg923]

People are just focusing on me talking about problem solving but like I said, I said the essence of therapy is about problem solving but also changing your views or simply accepting things. Nobody has yet challenged this definition. Some have recommended books. And some saying that problem solving is not all there is which I never said there was. I used the example of incurable disease as something that can not be solved. Same with death. Or aging.

As for your question, I simply disagree. I think great problem solvers have FANTASTIC relationships with their family and friends. That's mainly why psychologists have great relationships with people. They don't ignore problems or differences, the way most do. Instead, they try to find a solution. The people you're thinking of, are not real problem solvers. They may be experts in, say, physical chemistry. In that field, they are very knowledgeable and yes, great problem solvers. But that does not necessarily transfer.

Based on some of the naivete demonstrated in your posts (on this thread and others), I am not convinced you are over the age of 12.

Moreover, I don't really know what the question is here. Why are you wanting us to challenge the definition so much anyway? If you want to learn more about psychotherapy, people have given you a wealth a resources that can better educate you on this topic.

 

[KillerDiller]

The essence of psychotherapy is going to look quite different depending on the population you are working with and the disorders the therapist is seeing. I tend to prefer the term "skill-building" over "problem-solving." Maybe this is just semantics, but the latter term seems more like a targeted approach that will not generalize to other problems the client faces in the future. Clients who need discrete, concrete problems solved are likely better off with a case manager than a therapist anyway.

In my experience, skill-building work takes place with children, lower-functioning adults, or those with chronic interpersonal issues like personality disorders or aspergers. On the other hand, if you're seeing someone with acute distress, it's more about acceptance. I don't know that you can problem-solve your way out of a depressive episode or an anxiety attack. Then again, that may just be my theoretical orientation talking.

 

[IT514]

Well I thought you might be up for some socratic questioning, but I guess not.

 

[erg923]

Bob Wiley: What are we doing?

Dr. Leo Marvin: Death Therapy, Bob. It's a
guaranteed cure.

 

[IT514]

I like Bob Newhart's approach: "Stop it." Use it exclusively when my family comes to me for advice - drives them nuts!

 

[neurologyoncall]

edit...

 

[neurologyoncall]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣:

No really.

Have you MET any psychologists outside of a professional setting? We're some of the most interpersonally ambivalent, socially awkward, downright weird people on the planet. It's the age-old paradox of the hairdresser with horrendous hair.

I get where you're coming from, but you're spewing generalizations that are solely opinion, just like I just did.

I hope your generalization is based on just a few psychologists, maybe the ones who're into research, not clinical psychologists. Because that's just too sad. It's like having a tax guy who constantly messes up his own taxes.

And no, I have not really met any psychologists outside of professional setting. Well, except one neuropsychologist and her psychologist husband who is a friend of my dad and we visited them as a family two or three times usually as part of a big party and they were just wonderful. Very caring, not socially awkward at all (unlike my neurologist dad who, btw, reacts to emotions like superman to kryptonite). Very polite, respectful, etc. Almost made me wish they were my parents. Except that they do not have a child. There was something therapeutic about the way they greeted the guests, making sure they spent time with everybody involved, making plenty of eye contact, like there was a method to it all and I personally did not see how they're any different from when they're at work. So in summary, I don't know how they are on the inside really but on the outside, absolutely FANTASTIC at relationships. Made me wonder if they ever have any fights, like saying things they don't mean. Also there was none of that overt hostility that I have seen so much from medical doctors visiting our house.

 

[aequitasveritas]

The pretext of the question is more absurd than anything else. To ponder the essence of anything on an online forum, let alone one of the most complex issue known to mankind-the mind, is far beyond the ontological limits of the screen names.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I hope your generalization is based on just a few psychologists, maybe the ones who're into research, not clinical psychologists. Because that's just too sad. It's like having a tax guy who constantly messes up his own taxes.

And no, I have not really met any psychologists outside of professional setting. Well, except one neuropsychologist and her psychologist husband who is a friend of my dad and we visited them as a family two or three times usually as part of a big party and they were just wonderful. Very caring, not socially awkward at all (unlike my neurologist dad who, btw, reacts to emotions like superman to kryptonite). Very polite, respectful, etc. Almost made me wish they were my parents. Except that they do not have a child. There was something therapeutic about the way they greeted the guests, making sure they spent time with everybody involved, making plenty of eye contact, like there was a method to it all and I personally did not see how they're any different from when they're at work. So in summary, I don't know how they are on the inside really but on the outside, absolutely FANTASTIC at relationships. Made me wonder if they ever have any fights, like saying things they don't mean. Also there was none of that overt hostility that I have seen so much from medical doctors visiting our house.

While it might not represent the majority of cases, social "awkwardness" (in various senses) in psychologists and psychology grad students isn't at all rare, and isn't limited to non-clinicians/researchers. It harkens back to why a physician shouldn't be his/her own primary care doc--knowing the information/strategies/etc. is one thing, but applying them to your own life is another matter entirely, and can often require the facilitation of an objective, "outside" individual.

Edit: I should also mention that the relationships formed in therapy are very, VERY different from those developed elsewhere (e.g., your personal and professional lives). It's entirely possible for someone to be AMAZING at cultivating one type of relationship while being quite horrid at creating and/or maintaining others.

 

[psich]

I hope your generalization is based on just a few psychologists, maybe the ones who're into research, not clinical psychologists. Because that's just too sad. It's like having a tax guy who constantly messes up his own taxes.

Psychology is not accounting.

An honest question: what are you studying? Are you in high school, college, something else...?

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Psychology is not accounting.

An honest question: what are you studying? Are you in high school, college, something else...?

He's "premed"

(You can be a music major and be "premed" though. But I assume he means he's a science undergrad)

 

[neurologyoncall]

Psychology is not accounting.

An honest question: what are you studying? Are you in high school, college, something else...?

That's not an honest question unless you're dumb. I am being nice to you students and doctors and I guess some prefer to think of themselves as socially awkward, horrible in relationships in real life, and just weird. I was not buying it but based on the sort of replies I'm getting in this thread, I think some of you may just fit that stereotype.

p.s. I'm a math major, on top of my class, and could probably do your grad level stats homework for you if you play nice. Regardless, this will be my last post on this forum for a while. I am studying for MCAT. Yes, that involves problem solving too.

 

[wigflip]

Well, at least we got to the bottom of the "essence" of psychotherapy. Glad he posed that simple question so we could wrap that up with a bow.

 

[audchik]

Well, at least we got to the bottom of the "essence" of psychotherapy. Glad he posed that simple question so we could wrap that up with a bow.

lol...& lol @ this thread in general.

 

[aequitasveritas]

That's not an honest question unless you're dumb. I am being nice to you students and doctors and I guess some prefer to think of themselves as socially awkward, horrible in relationships in real life, and just weird. I was not buying it but based on the sort of replies I'm getting in this thread, I think some of you may just fit that stereotype.

p.s. I'm a math major, on top of my class, and could probably do your grad level stats homework for you if you play nice. Regardless, this will be my last post on this forum for a while. I am studying for MCAT. Yes, that involves problem solving too.

In some ways you are being treated unfairly here. You cannot be held accountable for that which you do not know by the limits of your experience. Yet I think the reaction to your posts is caused by your lack of awareness that you have experiential limits; that your hubristic remarks such as "I'm a great problem solver" etc are so incredibly ridiculous to those of us in the field.

If you ever follow through with psychotherapy training and some personal therapy of your own (despite your health) you may look back on your comments with some humor.😉

 

[erg923]

In some ways you are being treated unfairly here. You cannot be held accountable for that which you do not know by the limits of your experience. Yet I think the reaction to your posts is caused by your lack of awareness that you have experiential limits; that your hubristic remarks such as "I'm a great problem solver" etc are so incredibly ridiculous to those of us in the field.

If you ever follow through with psychotherapy training and some personal therapy of your own (despite your health) you may look back on your comments with some humor.😉

Tru dat.

I would also add that for someone who seems so bent on studying "science", he/she seems quite dogmatic in their views and opinions, despite being confronted with scientific evidence and anecdotal evidence from those in the field. It's very...odd.

 

[wigflip]

Whaddya mean, erg? The OP was very clear about this:

I have never tried to either change my view of things or accept them

 

[yeti2213]

I would also add that for someone who seems so bent on studying "science", he/she seems quite dogmatic in their views and opinions, despite being confronted with scientific evidence and anecdotal evidence from those in the field. It's very...odd.

I had similar feelings. And to that I'd add, OP also seemed to downplay phenomenological experience and only value cognitive ones. How do I feel about that? If I knew how I would insert a image of "Do Not Want Dog" right here ;-)

Its not a bad question to ask "what is the essence of psychotherapy", had I asked it would been a invitation for inquiry rather than a demand for a definite answer. It seemed like the OP was expecting the latter. Is one to understand from OP's post he sees the essence of medicine as "problem solving"? That seems an entirely too limited construal. Hopefully if OP makes it to med school his professors will disabuse him of that notion.

 

[psich]

He's "premed"

(You can be a music major and be "premed" though. But I assume he means he's a science undergrad)

Ah, thanks Raynee I did not catch that in the original post.

On a side note, my question was a fair one. You come onto this forum and essentially challenge doctoral students and psychologists like a child, yet you only show us your ignorance and arrogance. Despite other people correcting you in your assessment of the field, you still stubbornly hang onto your ideas. Did you ever consider that these people have 1) more education, and 2) more life experience than you, and are indeed more qualified in their opinion than you are?

That others have commented on your arrogance is telling. I'd reckon that you got yourself FREE, essential advice on how to "handle" your life in the future. Medicine, like life, is more than just problem solving.

Glad you're saving us from your inane banter. Good luck with your bedside manner if you make it to med school.

 

[Phipps]

My strength is in math in fact though I love to go into med (I'm premed) because I think medicine is all about problem solving. I have never tried to either change my view of things or accept them though I suppose sometimes (incurable disease) you simply have to accept your circumstances.

I would question that med is ALL about problem solving. I would suggest you volunteering in a medical setting/hospital in order to experience how medicine is applied. I work in a hospital and can tell you first hand that medicine can be very humbling -- we hit our limits and often don't know what else to do...
Now, the question is how that would be different with psychotherapy patients...sometimes I wonder whether people really have the capacity and will to change. Can we truly help them changing? I know a lot do and if I would not be convinced I would not study psychology. Maybe, we need more sophisticated 'techniques/skills' in order to be effective

 

[futureapppsy2]

I think the vaguest--but maybe truest--answer is that psychologists/psych grad students really run the gamer. I've known socially awkward psychologists, gregarious psychologists, empathetic, touchy-feel-y psychologists, psychologists who would ask you why you were late even if your house burned down that morning, laid-back psychologists, high-strung psychologists, psychologists who are strict parents, psychologists who are laid-back parents, etc. Also, the way people act therapeutically/clinically is often completely different from how they act in other situations, and honestly, I kind of wouldn't my professors/bosses/advisors/supervisors/friends/etc., treating me like their client. To me, that would just raise red flags about boundaries more than anything (of course, it could be appropriate in some situations as well, but as a general rule, it would be awkward to have someone be in "clinician mode" all the time, IMO).

 

[wigflip]

psychologists/psych grad students really run the gamer.

you mean, "run the gamut," right? i was befuddled, trying to figure out, "is this some skyrim thing? kids today! oh, my lumbago!"

 

[futureapppsy2]

you mean, "run the gamut," right? i was befuddled, trying to figure out, "is this some skyrim thing? kids today! oh, my lumbago!"

Haha, yeah. Spellcheck mix-up.