Elaine Cole, MFT
About Psychotherapy
The following contains information about the unique process of psychotherapy. It provides you
with the practices and responsibilities of the client and the therapist. You should ask your
therapist any remaining questions you may have. No paper can provide accurate information
about all types of psychotherapy or all therapists. You may use this paper as the focus for a
discussion with your therapist about their specific practices.
Description of Psychotherapy
In psychotherapy you and a trained mental health professional work out strategies for handling
problems of daily living. Problems that can be effectively dealt with include, but not limited to
anxiety and fears; depression, sadness, listlessness; interpersonal difficulties; drug and alcohol
addiction; low self-esteem, guilt; family and/or parenting problems; divorce and/or child custody
issues; educational and/or career problems.
In addition, therapy can lead to personal growth through defining your thoughts and feelings
about yourself, others, and events in your life. The majority of the time you spend in therapy will
consist of talking about issues you have presented to your therapist.
The length of treatment varies depending upon the therapist, the client, and the nature of the
presenting problem, but it typically will last at least 10 to 12 weeks for relatively specific or
situational problems. If problems are severe and affect many areas of your life, or have persisted
for a long period of time, therapy can last up to a year or more. Generally, sessions are scheduled
for once a week and last 45 to 50 minutes, giving the therapist the remainder of the hour to make
notes, which aid in planning treatment and assessing progress.
Therapist Responsibilities
The therapist will usually devote the first few sessions to assessing the types and extent of
problems or concerns you have. This process requires her to ask questions about your history,
life situation and present distress including your values, hopes and manner of coping. After the
therapist has identified the specific treatment areas, the two of you will agree upon a therapy plan.
Periodically, the plan is reassessed as new thoughts and insights come forward.
Client Responsibilities
As the client in therapy you will have certain responsibilities. It is important for you to attend all of
you scheduled appointments on time. Unlike other appointments you may have, psychotherapy
will start promptly on time. If you are late, you will not have the benefit of a full session.
Most important are your responsibilities to be as active, open and honest as possible with your
therapist. Seeing a therapist for one hour per week will be a little benefit without your efforts
outside the therapy office. This work can include thinking about the material covered in your
sessions and making yourself aware of your behavior. You may want to keep a log, read a
specific book or practice a new skill.
