What Is Psychotherapy?

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a treatment in which you work with a trained mental health professional to understand and change patterns in thoughts, emotions and behaviors. It is used for a wide range of concerns — from diagnosable conditions such as depression and anxiety to relationship difficulties, grief, stress and major life transitions.

How therapy helps

Therapy provides a confidential, supportive space to talk openly, and structured ways to make change. Depending on the approach, therapy may help you:

• Understand what is contributing to how you feel
• Learn skills to manage emotions, stress and difficult thoughts
• Change behaviors that keep problems going
• Improve communication and relationships
• Process painful experiences

Common types of therapy

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) — builds skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance.
• Exposure therapy — helps you gradually face feared situations.
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT) — focuses on relationships and life events.
• Psychodynamic therapy — explores patterns rooted in past experiences.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) — builds psychological flexibility and values-based action.
• Couples and family therapy — work with relationships as a whole.

What to expect

In your first session, the therapist will usually ask about what brings you to therapy, your history and your goals. Together you will agree on a plan. Sessions typically last around 50 minutes and are often weekly at first.

It is normal to feel nervous. You can ask your therapist about their approach, training, and how you’ll know whether therapy is helping.

Finding a therapist

Look for a licensed professional with experience in your concern, and consider practical factors such as cost, availability and format. Our guide on how to find the right therapist walks through the steps.