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How Psychotherapy Can Make You Happy
If you're happy and you know it, well, good for you. If not, therapy is a tried-and-true approach to clearing away neuroses and making way for more contentment. Here's how to take the plunge.
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Step 1:
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What's Your Type?
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There are many different approaches to psychotherapy. For instance, psychoanalysis, the original talk therapy developed by Sigmund Freud, places an emphasis on examining early childhood to reveal unconscious motivations, and usually takes more than a year to complete. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, identifies a patient's present-day maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, and replaces them with healthy ones. CBT usually takes just a few months. Psychiatrists focus on brain chemistry and neurology, and can prescribe medication. Decide what kind of therapist most suits your goals.
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Step 2:
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Get Referrals
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It's best to get referrals from someone you know, or from your medical doctor. Even if you don't want to share your best friend's therapist, he or she may be able to suggest someone who fits your needs. If that comes up short, professional associations like American Psychological Association have websites with therapist listings.
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Step 3:
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Try It Out
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Book a trial session or two with one to three different therapists. Your goal is to choose someone who you feel comfortable talking to, but also someone who challenges your thinking. Ask them about their education, years in practice, and their treatment philosophy. Once you've chosen a therapist, check in with them and yourself regularly to make sure you're working toward your goals at an acceptable pace. If you don't feel a change within the first six or eight weeks, you may want to re-evaluate the approach.
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Step 4:
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Commit To Your Therapy
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Therapy only works if you make it a priority. Go to appointments regularly and be as honest with your therapist and yourself in the sessions as possible.
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