Psychotherapy
Nature of the work
Psychotherapy allows patients to come to a
better understanding of their difficulties, worries, abilities and
motivations. This specialty makes use of techniques that help
patients explore difficult and often painful emotions and
experiences, or reflect on patterns of behaviour and habits that
may not serve them well. Psychotherapy can take place
individually or in groups, and there are many different forms that
can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Within the NHS, psychotherapists
contribute a psychological and relationship-oriented understanding
to other aspects of psychiatric practice, such as the impact of
mental illness on patient’s lives and the role of carers and
relatives in promoting health and compliance with medication.
Working in psychotherapy
There are many forms of psychotherapy,
and a range of models for psychotherapeutic treatment.
Psychotherapists are likely to practice more than one type of
therapy.
Medical psychotherapists are trained to have a
solid working knowledge of all the main evidence-based branches of
psychotherapy. Assessing complex psychiatric cases and
deciding on treatment modality, or advising on management, is a
core aspect of the medical psychotherapist’s work.
A wide range of patients are referred to
psychotherapy services, especially those with more serious mental
illness such as personality disorders and co-morbid conditions.
Therapists may see patients individually or in groups, and
may work alone or within a team. Therapy sessions usually
last 50 minutes, although this can be adjusted according to patient
need or ability to concentrate. Assessment and therapy
contact time is usually greater in psychotherapy than in general
psychiatry. Detailed case notes are kept, and these are
prepared by the therapist after the session.
Consultant psychotherapists spend much of their
time teaching and supervising, as well as advocating and managing
psychotherapy services. Often a consultant psychotherapist
will be the psychotherapy tutor who co-ordinates training locally.
This makes the work varied and often highly self-directed and
autonomous.
Specialist psychotherapy is an important part of
all psychiatric services, but there is increasing interest in
applying psychotherapeutic principles in other settings, such
as:
- psychiatric liaison
- forensic centres
- in patient wards
- general practice
Common procedures/interventions
Psychotherapists make detailed
assessments of patients to determine their suitability for
psychotherapy. Therapists then decide, together with the
patient, which therapy best suits their needs. In other
situations, the psychotherapist may consult to health professionals
or teams to help them manage complex situations.
Associated sub specialties
Forensic psychotherapy is becoming a
recognised sub specialty. Applying psychotherapy to specialist
areas of psychiatry is also a developing area.
Further information
Just click the button below for more information
