What is Psychotherapy? Types and the Treatment Process

The simplest answer to the question "what is psychotherapy?" is that it is a scientific talk therapy conducted with a specialist clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, helping individuals resolve emotional, mental, and behavioural issues. Its goal isn't just to provide temporary relief, but to permanently improve your quality of life by developing your coping skills. Unlike venting to a friend over a cup of Turkish tea, this process teaches you to recognise your thought patterns through a completely objective, non-judgemental, and scientifically grounded approach. You are offered professional guidance to achieve a healthier mental state and to cope more resiliently with life's inevitable challenges.

• Sessions usually last 45-50 minutes and are tailored to the individual.
• It is effective not only in treating mental illnesses but also in managing daily stress.
• It relies on scientific schools of thought such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Psychoanalysis.
• When necessary, it is carried out alongside medication prescribed by a psychiatrist.
• The length of the process varies depending on the person's needs and the established therapy goals.

When Should We Seek Psychological Support?

Coping with the stress of daily life isn't always easy. Whether it's navigating the bustling commute in Istanbul or managing heavy workloads, sometimes the difficulties we face make professional psychological support a necessity. If you find yourself struggling to fulfil your daily chores, professional duties, or academic responsibilities, it might be a sign of mental exhaustion. Sometimes, our bodies express the burdens our minds cannot carry through physical symptoms. If you are experiencing unexplained aches, stomach issues, or other bodily symptoms despite having no organic physical cause, the underlying psychological factors need to be evaluated.

Traumatic life events that leave you feeling overwhelmed, intense anxiety, and disruptions in your sleep or appetite are significant reasons to seek therapy. Obsessive thoughts you can't shake off, anger management issues, or displaying impulsive and aggressive attitudes also require professional intervention. Relationship problems, harmful habits you try to quit but can't, or phobias that restrict your life are common topics worked through in the therapy room.

Furthermore, if you perceive flaws in your appearance that others don't notice and obsess over them, or if you show depressive symptoms like an inability to enjoy life, feelings of worthlessness, and hopelessness, you should consult a specialist without delay. If there are recurring thoughts of suicide or plans to harm yourself, this is a medical emergency. In such a scenario, you must immediately go to the nearest hospital's emergency department or call 112.

What Are the Types of Psychotherapy?

The science of psychology has developed various therapeutic schools tailored to different mental health issues and individual needs. Which method is right for you is determined by your specialist during the initial assessment session, after taking a detailed personal history. The most frequently applied psychotherapy types consist of evidence-based, scientific methods.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most frequently preferred methods, focusing on the inseparable relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Its core logic is that it is not the events themselves, but the meanings we attach to those events that shape our emotions. CBT aims to identify dysfunctional or distorted thought patterns and replace them with more realistic, healthier ones. It is a highly structured process and generally progresses towards specific goals.

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective method, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and the grieving process. By stimulating the brain's natural information-processing mechanism, it aims to lighten the emotional burden created by traumatic memories from the past that haven't been fully digested. The person does not forget the memory, but the feeling of distress it causes fades away.

Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

This is an in-depth type of therapy that examines unconscious processes and childhood experiences. It helps the individual make sense of the past experiences that lie at the root of their current behaviours, recurring problems, and relationship dynamics. It is generally a longer-term process that focuses on the person gaining deep insight into their own inner world.

How Does the Psychotherapy Process Work?

When you take the step to book a psychology session, knowing how the process will unfold greatly reduces anxiety. The psychotherapy process takes place in a safe, non-judgemental space based entirely on confidentiality. The first meeting is usually an introduction, assessment, and formulation phase. In this session, your specialist actively listens to you, tries to understand the source of the problem, and creates a treatment plan specific to you.

In structured approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy, clear therapy goals are set together with the client. Subsequent sessions are entirely shaped around these goals. Individual therapy sessions last approximately 45-50 minutes. The frequency of sessions usually starts at once a week. However, in the later stages, as the person's coping skills develop and depending on their rate of recovery, this interval can be reduced to once a fortnight or once a month.

Therapy is not limited to the 50 minutes spent talking in the session room. The process is supported by daily life exercises, thought record forms, or behavioural homework given by your specialist. The termination of the process is not sudden, either; once the goals are reached, a gradual conclusion is planned by widening the gap between sessions.

Holistic Treatment: The Combination of Medical Support and Psychotherapy

In mental health treatments, adopting a holistic approach is the foundation of lasting recovery. In some cases, therapy alone or medication alone may not be sufficient. The combination of the two creates a much stronger treatment network.

When a person only receives medical support (medication), yes, their physical and mental symptoms are largely alleviated. However, if the person hasn't learned to evaluate their thoughts and hasn't strengthened their coping skills, they will continue to look at events through the same window. When faced with a new problem in the future, they may feel the need to resort to medication every time because they cannot generate solutions.

On the other hand, when a person only receives psychotherapy, they learn to look at events from a wider angle and restructure their thoughts. But if the symptoms are too intense; if there are severe sleep and appetite problems, or if physiological symptoms like sweating, trembling, or stomach aches have developed, the person cannot find the strength to apply what is discussed in the session to the outside world. This situation can trigger negative thoughts like "I won't change, I'll always stay like this," further increasing the person's anxiety.

Therefore, the highest benefit is achieved when both medical support and psychological support are carried out together. Medication alleviates the person's symptoms, allowing them to reach the mental clarity needed to integrate what is discussed in therapy sessions into their life. Research also shows that the simultaneous use of therapy and medication support yields much faster and more permanent results in solving many psychological problems.

The Link Between Physical Health and Psychology

Mental health cannot be considered independently of our physical health or our bodies. Sometimes psychological struggles directly affect our eating habits and bodily functions. For instance, emotional eating disorder, which involves turning to food to cope with stress, sadness, or anxiety, is a typical condition that requires the joint effort of psychological support and nutrition and dietetics specialists.

Similarly, intense anxieties regarding body image, or the adaptation processes before and after aesthetic operations, require serious psychological resilience. In surgeries performed in our BHT CLINIC Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery department, or in reconstructive treatments requiring post-trauma repair, our patients feeling well both physically and mentally is an inseparable part of holistic health. Our psychology department steps in for patients who have difficulty adapting to changes in their bodies or who focus excessively on physical flaws.

The Process at BHT CLINIC

At BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, the psychological support process is meticulously managed by expert clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. When you apply to our hospital, a detailed clinical evaluation is first conducted to determine the source of your problem. Depending on your needs, a completely personalised roadmap is drawn up using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, or other evidence-based approaches.

Our Psychiatry and Psychology departments work in perfect harmony with each other and with our hospital's other medical units (Neurology, Endocrinology, Nutrition and Dietetics, etc.). With our principle of a scientific and holistic approach to mental health, we create a multidisciplinary treatment plan tailored to the needs of every patient. In crisis situations requiring immediate intervention or severe psychiatric symptoms, our 24/7 emergency department is always by your side. Do not delay getting professional support to protect your mental health and improve your quality of life. You can visit our appointment page to consult with our expert staff and book a session.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does psychotherapy take?

The duration of therapy varies depending on the severity of the problem experienced, the person's adaptation to therapy, and the established goals. While structured methods like cognitive behavioural therapy generally last between 10 and 20 sessions, more in-depth work can take months or years.

Is medication alone enough?

Medication is very effective in rapidly controlling biological symptoms (insomnia, severe anxiety, loss of appetite). However, to change thought patterns and gain lasting coping skills, receiving psychological support alongside medication increases the success of the treatment.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have graduated from medical school; they can make diagnoses and prescribe medication. Clinical psychologists are specialists who have completed a master's degree in clinical psychology following an undergraduate degree in psychology; they cannot prescribe medication, but they administer talk therapy using scientific therapeutic methods.

Does what is discussed in therapy sessions remain confidential?

Yes, everything discussed in the therapy room is kept strictly confidential within the framework of legal and ethical rules. Your specialist cannot share the information you provide with your family or other third parties without your consent (except in emergencies where there is a vital risk of the person harming themselves or others).

Is online therapy as effective as face-to-face therapy?

Scientific research shows that when appropriate conditions are met, online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy for many psychological issues. It is an ideal option, especially for clients who have difficulty with transport or who feel safer in their home environment.

This article is for informational purposes only; please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.