The word psychotherapy originates from Greek and literally means “treatment of the mind” or “care of the soul”. Psychotherapy is a scientifically based form of treatment that takes place through structured and deep conversations in short, psychotherapy is talk therapy.
Psychotherapy is a well-documented form of treatment based on the principle that when you begin to understand and put words into your emotions, thoughts, and bodily reactions (sensations), you can start to break unhealthy behavioral patterns, giving them less power over you.
In psychotherapy, we explore the deeper behavioral patterns and strategies you have adopted throughout your life. Many of our reactions today are rooted in old defense mechanisms that were once necessary, but today end up hindering our joy of life, relationships, and personal growth.
Psychotherapy differs significantly from a conversation with a good friend because, as a certified psychotherapist MPF, I offer a professional, neutral (objective), and 100% confidential space where nothing is wrong, shameful, or hopeless.
What is the purpose of Psychotherapy?
The purpose of psychotherapy is, among other things, to give you the insight to understand who you are and why you feel, think, act, and sense the way you do. Psychotherapy provides you with tools that you can use in your everyday life to achieve a better quality of life. An improved quality of life can stem from many different things, one of them includes being able to make space for what you feel instead of “running” away from it.
Psychotherapy has 3 primary purposes:
- To enhance your quality of life and personal development through deep, personal insight.
- To alleviate your psychological pain by learning how to make space for the pain/feeling.
- To break unhealthy behavioral patterns through concrete and practical tools.
What is the difference between Psychotherapy and Psychology?
A lot of people (family, friends, and clients) often ask me: “Ozhen, what is the difference between psychology and psychotherapy?”. Simply put, psychology is the academic study of the human mind, whereas psychotherapy is the practical and relationship-oriented form of treatment used in the therapy room to help the individual.
Both professions offer professional talk therapy to support you through crises, stress, anxiety, grief, or similar challenges. The difference lies primarily in the focus of the education and the nature of the work:
- Psychologist (Academic and Diagnostic Focus):
A psychologist holds a 5-year academic university degree in psychology. Psychologists are broadly trained in psychological theories, research, statistics, and testing. Within the healthcare system, one of the psychologist’s key roles is to perform clinical assessments and diagnose psychiatric disorders. - Psychotherapist (Practical and Experience-Based Focus):
A psychotherapist is trained in psychotherapy itself, meaning the practical application of talk therapy. The training takes place at an approved, private institute (typically over 4 years). With a psychotherapist, the focus is on the therapeutic relationship, your here-and-now challenges, personal development, and unhealthy behavioral patterns.
Furthermore, it is a strict requirement in psychotherapist training that the therapist has undergone many years of intensive personal therapy themselves to ensure deep emotional maturity and ownership of their own background.
Your guarantee with a psychotherapist is the MPF title
Since “psychotherapist” is not a protected title in Denmark, it is important to look for the designation MPF (Member of the Danish Association of Psychotherapists). This is your guarantee that I have a fully updated, four-year approved education behind me and live up to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry.