Psychotherapy is a range of techniques based on dialogue, communication and behaviour change and which is designed to improve the mental health of a client or patient, or to improve group relationships (such as in a family). Most forms of psychotherapy use only spoken conversation, though some also use various other forms of communication, such as the written word, artwork or touch. Commonly, psychotherapy involves a therapist and client(s) - and in family therapy several family members or even other members from their social network - who discuss their issues in an effort to discover underlying problems and to find constructive solutions.

Therapy may address specific forms of diagnosable mental illness, or everyday problems in relationships or meeting personal goals. Treatment of everyday problems is more often referred to as counselling (a distinction originally adopted by Carl Rogers) but the term is sometimes used interchangeably with "psychotherapy".

Psychotherapeutic interventions are often designed to treat the patient in the medical model, although not all psychotherapeutic approaches follow the model of "illness/cure". Some practitioners, such as humanistic schools, see themselves in an educational or helper role. Because sensitive topics are often discussed during psychotherapy, therapists are expected, and usually legally bound, to respect client or patient confidentiality. In this course you will become acquainted with various schools of thoughts and methods.

General description
Given that psychotherapy is restricted to conversations, practitioners do not have to be medically qualified, but to guarantee the medical safety of psychotherapy, a basic acquaintance with psychiatric and psychological considerations is typically a part of their training. In most countries, however, psychotherapists must be trained, certified, and licensed, with a range of different certification and licensing requirements in force internationally. Psychotherapists may be music therapists, psychologists, social workers, marriage-family therapists, trained nurses, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, mental health counsellors, school counsellors, or other professionals such as people in the clergy, teachers, law enforcement officers. As a matter of fact, this course will benefit any person dealing with other people.

The primary training of a psychiatrist focuses on the biological aspects of mental disorders, with some training in psychotherapy. Psychologists usually have more training in psychological assessment and research and, in addition, great deal of training in psychotherapy. Social workers have specialized training in linking patients to community and institutional resources, in addition to elements of psychological assessment and psychotherapy. Marriage-Family Therapists have training similar to the social worker, and also have specific training and experience working with relationships and family issues. Licensed professional counsellors (LPC's) generally have special training in career, mental health, school, or rehabilitation counselling.

Evidence of the effectiveness of certain psychoactive drugs, especially to treat serious depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, have led to a more wide spread use of pharmaceuticals in conjunction with psychotherapy by medically qualified mental health nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and in some states, prescribing psychologists. While having benefits for patients with ailments such as bipolar disorder, impulse problems, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder, drugs of late have begun to be used as a 'quick fix' and are gaining less favour in the therapeutic community.. Research reveals that both drugs and psychotherapy combined are more efficacious than either treatment alone, in treating persons with mental disorders.

There are at least seven main systems of psychotherapy:
" Psychodynamic,
" Existential,
" Cognitive ,
" Humanistic/supportive
" Behavioural,
" Brief therapy (sometimes called "strategic" therapy, solution focused brief therapy),
" Systemic Therapy (including family therapy & marriage counselling).

Anyone can learn Psychotherapy and interested parties can contact Dr Hans Vischjager at: Troy University, Colombo Campus.