DON'T MISS THE MOST...
Frequently asked questions
How do I know that I should start a therapeutic process?
Any starting point is valid, and the process can be initiated either from the need to solve something specific or from the interest in one's own growth, without having any particular problem. Undergoing a therapeutic process is beneficial for any person at any time of his or her life.
In general, we all get very annoyed when we have to admit that we can't do it alone. Well no, we ALL NEED HELP, and sometimes we can't do it alone. Asking for psychological help is not a sign of weakness, on the contrary, it is nothing more than a good way to solve something that makes us suffer.
Some signs I can identify to recognize if I should seek professional help:
If I feel that my mood has dropped and sadness prevails
If fear appears in situations where there was none before
If you notice that you cannot control your emotions
If you feel a sense of inferiority in some aspects of your life
If I need to solve a specific problem: We all go through circumstances and situations difficult to manage at some point in life. Difficulties in a relationship, couple or sexual relationship problems, an illness process, a grief or a complicated moment that we need to solve in the healthiest, most conscious and quickest way possible.
WITHOUT HAVING A RELEVANT DIFFICULTY:
If I'm fine but I feel I "could be better".
If I'm curious to get to know me better.
What benefits can starting a psychotherapy process bring to my life?
Solve the problem or discomfort we feel. Many times we believe that by giving "time to time", the discomfort we feel will be solved. But the truth is that almost nothing is solved if you do not do something to solve it.
Be heard without judgment. Remember, a psychologist is not a judge or anything like that. He/she will need to know many things about you, your thoughts, your emotions, how you relate to the rest of the world, but this will be to be able to evaluate what the internal conflict is and to be able to guide you in the treatment without going blindly, adjusting to your needs, but never to make a value judgment or recriminate, that is not our function.
Get tools to solve the problem. We can unburden ourselves by talking about what is happening to us with a friend or family member, but that is all we need to unburden ourselves. The psychologist has the training to provide us with the psychological care tools that will help us to solve the problem effectively.
To reduce the discomfort that is the reason for the consultation. This point cannot be achieved without the work and effort of the person who comes to therapy. It must be a joint work, because if everything is left in the hands of the therapist, there is nothing to do. Psychologists are not gurus nor do we have magic to make our patients feel better. It is the set of techniques and tools used by the professional, together with the client's predisposition to become aware of his/her problems and his/her personal work, what makes a paradigm shift happen in the patient.
What do I do if I have nothing to say?
This is one of the most common questions that arise during the first psychological sessions. Especially, if you are a reserved person who is not used to talk about your private life with a real stranger. Don't worry, this is normal. Start by finding out what is the reason for your concern, the rest you can do with the help and guidance of your therapist, that's what we have been trained to do!
How long does a therapeutic process last and how long is each session?
The answer to this question depends on many factors:
The longevity, complexity and intensity of the problem. The longer the psychological problem has been occurring, the more areas of the person it is affecting, and the more suffering it is causing the person, the longer it takes to solve it.
The client's willingness to change. People who perform tasks and use the resources taught by the therapist tend to improve more quickly.
The quality of the relationship or therapeutic alliance. There is evidence that the adequacy of this alliance produces greater results and in less time.
Frequency of therapy attendance. The shorter the space between sessions, the better the therapeutic alliance is formed, and therefore, the faster a solution can be reached.
Today, it is impossible to quantify how long a therapy will last. However, with the use of tools of different orientations, the most contrasted by the evidence and those that integrate the totality of the individual, it is possible to carry out a quality accompaniment adapted to the circumstances of each patient.
The duration of the sessions depends on each professional. My sessions are 1 hour long, and I usually advise weekly attendance to therapy, at least at the beginning.
Is it normal to feel anxiety?
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life.
However, people with anxiety disorders often have intense, excessive and persistent worries and fears about everyday situations; even interfering with daily activities. The key is to differentiate whether this feeling of anxiety is difficult to control, disproportionate to the real danger, and whether it lasts longer than the situation that provokes it. In all these cases, the best option is to ask for professional help.
What is the difference between being sad and having depression?
Sadness is an emotion that we all experience, fulfilling the role of expressing pain in the face of stressful or disturbing life events. When sadness takes a maladaptive turn, we speak of depressive symptoms, that is, when it becomes overwhelming, continuous, and can drastically impact the person's daily life. In the second case, it is best to seek professional help.
What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
The main difference is that a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist have different training: The Psychiatrist studies Medicine and specializes in mental illnesses. He/she is in charge of diagnosing and treating mental illnesses by approaching them, as a priority, from the physiological point of view, either by prescribing medication or any other type of medical intervention that may be necessary in order to balance the brain's biochemistry and repair or compensate the physiology that is impaired. That is to say, a fundamental difference is that a Psychologist cannot prescribe medication, while a Psychiatrist can.
The Psychologist studies psychology and then specializes in mental health. Its main objective is to evaluate and treat mental illnesses and disorders by approaching them from the psychological rehabilitation, intervening externally to modify certain dysfunctional brain functions. All this through techniques and tools for the management and adjustment of emotions, behaviors and thoughts.
Is going to a psychologist the same as having a chat with a friend?
Definitely not. A psychologist is a mental health professional who does not know us at all nor has an affective bond with us, therefore, he/she will be able to be objective with the problem that we raise without giving personal opinions. Asking for help from a professional gives me the option to put words to what is happening to me from a psychological point of view, and to find a solution by myself and/or start a treatment according to the problem I'm raising.
What privacy rights do I have as a patient?
Consultations are confidential. As long as the life (or integrity) of the patient or third parties is not at risk, professional psychologists are obliged to maintain professional secrecy. This will give you the peace of mind to express yourself freely in everything you need to say; since what you talk to your psychologist will remain between you and the professional.
