AUT - What is Psychotherapy
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What is Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy describes a relationship between a therapist (psychotherapist) and a client or clients (sometimes also referred to as a patient or patients) in which both therapist and client work with what the client brings to therapy, as well as the dynamics of their relationship.
Different approaches to psychotherapy define the nature, purpose and task of psychotherapy in different ways, with different emphases on the client’s:
- Personal, social, cultural, spiritual identity, context, and environment;
- Past, present, and future;
- Childhood and history;
- Nature of the therapeutic relationship;
- Intrapsychic and interpersonal life, unconscious dynamics;
- Affect, behaviour, cognitions and somatic experiencing.
Depending on their training and experience, psychotherapists work with individuals, couples, families, and groups; with adults, and/or with children and young people.
Psychotherapy takes place in different settings and agencies in public, voluntary, and private sectors; and, generally, in a particular and designated room, although some therapists also work outdoors.
The professional body in NZ is The New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists.