What Is Psychotherapy Anyway?
When we are busy looking after others, we do not always consider how we are looking after ourselves. Many power through the day responding to the needs of children, work and family, influenced by the past, or thoughts of how we should be living. Over time we might be going through the motions on autopilot, reacting or pushing through, but something feels off. We may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, irritable, anxious or simply unlike ourselves.
Psychotherapy is a space to pause, reflect and come back to the self. Talking is helpful in and of itself and as people tell their story, we explore emotions, thoughts and behaviours with curiosity. It can also support the foundations of mental health, including sleep, exercise, nutrition and social connection. At the core, psychotherapy helps us to identify patterns, notice our reactions and develop greater clarity and choice in how we respond to life.
Depending on someone’s goals, therapy may involve working through stress, burnout, trauma, relationship challenges or anything else that makes life feel difficult. We may reframe unhelpful thoughts, recognize behavioural patterns and understand how emotions show up in the body. Along the way, we build coping skills, strengthen boundaries, communicate more effectively and learn how to move through difficult feelings rather than avoid them.
As a therapist who also sees a therapist, psychotherapy is also a space to support what is going well and process life as it happens so things do not build up to a breaking point. It is simply another way to care for myself well and live with greater presence and joy. Therapy is not about becoming someone new but reconnecting with our true self.
Disclaimer: this information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute psychotherapy or a therapeutic relationship.
Jen Wall is a Registered Psychotherapist with Talk With Jen Counselling and Psychotherapy, a virtual practice based in London, Ontario, supporting caregivers and professionals in high-stress roles experiencing burnout and emotional overload. Learn more at TalkWithJen.ca.
