What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a structured, talk-based therapeutic approach designed to explore and address an individual’s psychological processes. Through a collaborative relationship between the therapist and the client, psychotherapy aims to identify and work through psychological challenges, emotional distress, and areas for personal growth. The therapeutic process is conducted within a well-defined framework, which includes the chosen therapeutic modality, session frequency, and duration. While the specifics of this structure may vary based on the therapist’s theoretical orientation, all practitioners adhere to fundamental ethical principles that ensure professional integrity and client well-being.
Who Seeks Therapy?
Individuals seek therapy for a variety of reasons. One of the most common motivations is experiencing psychological distress. However, therapy is also sought by those who wish to gain deeper self-understanding, navigate interpersonal difficulties, recognize and break recurring negative patterns, process past experiences, or work toward desired life changes.
Psychotherapy can be conducted in individual or group formats and is suitable for different age groups, including children, adolescents, adults, and couples. At Navia Psychology, we offer psychotherapy services for adolescents and adults, as well as group therapy sessions.
What Should I Expect from Therapy?
Psychotherapy is a highly individualized process, meaning that expectations vary from person to person. These expectations should be discussed during sessions to establish a shared understanding of the client’s goals and concerns.
While therapy experiences differ, some common expectations include:
- A safe and non-judgmental environment
- Greater self-awareness and insight into one’s experiences
- Improved emotional regulation skills
- A deeper understanding of how past experiences shape present life
- The development of healthier relationships
- Alternative perspectives and coping strategies
Consistency is a key factor in the therapeutic process. At Navia Psychology, therapy sessions are conducted regularly and in an open-ended format. Clients are encouraged to share their thoughts openly with their therapist.
The initial evaluation session provides an opportunity to discuss expectations and explore the therapist’s approach. In some cases, this assessment phase may extend over multiple sessions. Once both parties agree to proceed, the therapeutic process begins.
How Does Psychotherapy Work?
- The Therapeutic Process
The foundation of psychotherapy lies in the trust-based relationship between the therapist and the client. The therapist provides a safe, non-judgmental space while guiding the process. Through therapy, individuals gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often uncovering unconscious patterns and the influence of past experiences on their present life.
Different psychotherapeutic modalities employ various techniques. Some approaches prioritize verbal exploration, while others incorporate bodily awareness or creative processes such as art, play, or guided imagination. Depending on the client’s needs, therapy may take the form of individual sessions, group therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy.
- Session Frequency
The frequency and duration of psychotherapy sessions are determined by the client’s needs, the therapeutic approach being used, and the goals of the process. At Navia Psychology, we generally recommend weekly sessions for a meaningful and effective therapeutic experience. However, more intensive therapy—such as multiple sessions per week—can be arranged for those seeking deeper exploration.
- Session Duration
Session length varies based on the therapist’s working method and whether the therapy is conducted individually or in a group setting. The session schedule is mutually agreed upon by the therapist and the client, ensuring consistency and continuity. Sessions begin and end at the predetermined time. If a client arrives late, the session still concludes as scheduled.
How Do Therapy Approaches Differ?
Since the recognition of psychotherapy’s benefits for mental health, numerous therapeutic modalities have been developed. These approaches differ in their objectives, methodologies, session frequency, and duration.
At Navia Psychology, each therapist practices within a specialized theoretical framework. Some of the most widely used approaches today include:
- Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Existential Psychotherapy
- Somatic Experiencing
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Schema Therapy
Certain modalities focus on deep, long-term exploration of unconscious dynamics, while others are structured, symptom-focused, and short-term. At Navia Psychology, we adopt a long-term, in-depth, and open-ended therapeutic approach.
What is Confidentiality in Therapy?
Confidentiality is a fundamental principle of psychotherapy, ensuring that all information shared within sessions remains private and protected. This ethical obligation fosters trust between the client and the therapist, creating a safe space for open and honest communication. All therapists are bound by strict confidentiality guidelines, with only a few exceptions where legal or ethical obligations require disclosure (e.g., risk of harm to self or others).
How Long Does Psychotherapy Last & When Does It End?
The duration of psychotherapy varies depending on multiple factors, including the therapist’s theoretical approach, the nature of the client’s concerns, and their personal readiness for change. Some therapy processes are short-term and solution-focused, while others are long-term, exploring deeper psychological patterns.
Ultimately, the length of therapy is determined collaboratively between the therapist and the client. The conclusion of therapy is an essential phase of the process and is ideally planned in advance. However, clients are always free to discontinue therapy if they choose. Should a client decide to end therapy, a closing process can be planned to ensure a thoughtful and meaningful conclusion.
