Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a widely used method for treating emotional disorders and mental illnesses. Patients are encouraged to discuss their condition as well as any related issues with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy can also help people deal with difficult situations in their lives including divorce, the death of a loved one and chronic illness, such as cancer.

Psychotherapy is based on the theory that patients can improve their emotional well-being and mental health by talking about their concerns with a trained therapist. By using a number of different approaches and techniques, a therapist can help patients find better ways to cope, solve problems and set realistic goals.

Several kinds of mental health professionals practice psychotherapy. A psychiatrist is a licensed physician with a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) who is specifically trained in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental and behavioral disorders, and  can prescribe medications. A psychologist is a mental health professional who has a doctoral degree (usually a Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed. D.) in clinical, counseling, or educational psychology and has also met state or provincial licensing criteria to diagnose and evaluate mental and emotional disorders, conduct psychological tests, and use psychotherapy to treat patients. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists are not physicians and cannot prescribe medications. Other professionals, such as clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists, may hold master’s degrees and state licenses to practice psychotherapy.

Prior to psychotherapy, a psychotherapist will perform a mental health evaluation to assess the patient’s emotional and mental condition. The purpose of the evaluation is to help the therapist gather as much information as necessary to assess the patient’s problems and their severity. The therapist will also discuss the type, duration and goals of treatment with the patient at this time.

Psychotherapy may be conducted in several ways. Patients may meet individually with a therapist. Couples or families may also meet with a psychotherapist to discuss problems within relationships, or how one person’s mental health condition (e.g., bipolar disorder) affects the group. Finally, some psychotherapists lead group therapy sessions, with up to a dozen patients working together with one therapist.

Although it is typically administered in an outpatient setting, psychotherapy may also be incorporated during inpatient psychiatric care or day treatment programs. Therapy may be short term, lasting only a few weeks or months, or may last for longer periods of time. The duration of treatment generally depends on a patient’s needs and a psychotherapist’s recommendation.

In some cases, mental illness is treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medications (called pharmacotherapy). The medications prescribed (e.g., antidepressants) can vary and typically depend on the type and severity of the disorder. In severe cases, psychotherapy may not be recommended until a patient’s acute psychiatric symptoms (e.g. mood swings) have stabilized through the use of medications.

Research shows that psychotherapy is effective in treating people with emotional difficulties. According to a study in patients with recurrent major depression, cognitive psychotherapy proved as effective as medication treatment with antidepressants and appeared to maintain its effectiveness over time.