Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” is a process that has been traditionally mysterious. What happens in therapy? How does it work? What kind of therapy is best?
May 1st, 2019
Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” is a process that has been traditionally mysterious. What happens in therapy? How does it work? What kind of therapy is best?
There is a growing body of evidence showing that psychotherapy may work in a number of ways. In depression, psychotherapy may cause changes in the brain that appear very similar to changes caused by antidepressant medications. For anxiety, psychotherapy might help the brain learn to interpret and manage emotional signaling. For ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), therapy seems to help the brain’s “executive function” operate more effectively to control short-sighted or impulsive behavior.
It appears that one form of therapy is not necessarily superior to another. Patients can do equally well multiple types of psychotherapy: CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), supportive psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, etc. For some problems, one type of psychotherapy may be more effective than others. For example, DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) is a specific variant of CBT that is very helpful for people with Borderline Personality Disorder. What is the most important part of psychotherapy? The relationship between the therapist and the patient – studies show that this relationship is often more important than the type of therapy being practiced.
So why is therapy an important part of the recovery process? Even if you take medications, psychotherapy helps you in a number of ways. It can repair damaged or underdeveloped neuronal connections in your brain so that your brain functions more effectively. It gives you a venue to talk with a neutral, nonjudgmental professional who is trained to understand your problems and help you in your recovery process. It can help you learn how to modulate sensations and processes in your body to repair irritated and inflammatory processes.
If you or someone you care about is in psychotherapy, make sure the therapist and the type of therapy it is a good fit. The relationship with the therapist is critical! To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today at (919) 636-5240.
Live Mentally Healthy,
Dr. Jennie Byrne
Dr. Jennie Byrne, M.D., PhDWith over 15 years of medical expertise, Jennie Byrne, MD, PhD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with experience treating mental health conditions in adults, including dementia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. After practicing in New York City for 12 years, Dr. Byrne relocated to North Carolina in 2008; she currently cares for patients in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at Cognitive Psychiatry of Chapel Hill. Dr. Byrne earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She then received her doctorate from New York University Department of Neurophysiology. She also has a doctorate of medicine from New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Byrne went on to complete a psychiatry residency at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. In addition to her work as a psychiatrist, Dr. Byrne has performed extensive research on attention, memory, and depression. As a board- certified adult psychiatrist, Dr. Byrne focuses on the needs of each patient to pro.