The terms "counseling" and "psychotherapy" are often used interchangeably. Counseling, however, tends to imply an approach based more on listening and an ability to draw out a subject than intervening with confrontations and challenges, which medically trained psychotherapists will do. Also, medical trained psychotherapists are normally empowered to administer prescription medications and to oversee an individual's stay in a mental health institution, powers not held by counselors.

Won't A Pill Cure Depression

With the introduction of antidepressants that are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft, many people have come to regard these medications as "therapy in a bottle." Because the drugs are effective in treating a range of depressive and anxiety disorders, they have come to be seen as a quick fix.

While the drugs offer relief of painful and life altering symptoms, they cannot ferret out the root causes of depression and anxiety and seek to remove them permanently, which is the goal of effective therapy. Anyone taking such a medication will see a return of their symptoms in some form if they discontinue use of the drug.

Are There Different Kinds of Psychotherapy?

There are essentially six recognized types of psychotherapy within which differing methods of psychotherapy are employed. Not all apply to the same given problem set nor are all appropriate for all individuals. For instance psychotherapy for depression might not effectively address a problem like glossophobia, stage fright or panic disorder. Often, however, the deciding factor in choosing a given therapeutic approach is the comfort level of the person seeking psychiatric therapy. Without that degree of comfort and a trusting rapport with both therapist and methods, little can be accomplished.

PSYCHODYNAMIC

In this therapeutic approach individuals meet once to twice a week with a therapist to explore aspects of maladapted function usually acquired early in life as unconscious defense mechanisms. Treatment involves addressing the person's initial discomfort, achieving realization that the maladapted function exists, and then removing it or replacing it with a more constructive response. This process involves lengthy introspection that can cause painful self-revelations and is not appropriate for those in more fragile mental states.

COGNITIVE

Used in cases of depression, anxiety disorders, and phobias as well as with other issues, cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to help an individual to recognize patterns of thinking and reaction that are negative and destructive and to replace them with more healthy responses. It is often used in concert with mood stabilizing medications.

HUMANISTIC / SUPPORTIVE

This approach to therapy involves considering the entirely of the personality with the goal of achieving self-actualization. The humanistic school of thinking believes that each individual has inherent potential and inner resources that can, with help, be enhanced to build a stronger personality and sense of self. Given these goals, the therapist takes on the role of a guide in what can be a lengthy process involving confrontation and re-evaluation of life choices.