What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a form of interactive verbal treatment aimed at identifying underlying causes of psychological discomfort and helping the Patient acquire new and more effective tools for managing his/her discomfort by addressing emotional, cognitive and behavioral patterns that contribute to maintaining the problem. The objective of the psychotherapeutic process is to enable the Patient overcome his/her ailments and acquire new long lasting problem solving strategies.

Who can practise psychotherapy?

According to the Italian law, psychotherapy can only be administered by licensed clinical psychologists or medical doctors who have completed a four year postgraduate school of specialization in psychotherapy and who are fully chartered with the Italian Psychological Association (Psychotherapy Section) or the Italian Medical Association.

What types of psychotherapies are there?

Although there are many models of therapy, only some have obtained full recognition by the health and university authorities in different countries – which has led to the establishment of specific postgraduate schools of specialization worldwide.
Most importantly, international clinical research has identified a number of evidence-based psychotherapies, which have consistently proven their effectiveness in the treatment of different disorders (e.g. cognitive behavioral, psycho-educational, psychodynamic, etc.)

What types of psychotherapies are offered at Studio Venosta?

The choice of therapy for each Patient entails a thorough initial consultation aimed at constructing a diagnostic profile and identifying options for treatment. The choice of psychotherapy is always Patient-centered, based on the Patient’s specific disorder, linguistic and cultural characteristics and time-related constraints.
The main types of psychotherapy offered are:

• Cognitive-behavioral oriented Therapy
• Brief Psychotherapy
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Psychoanalytic oriented Psychotherapy
• Psychoanalysis
• Couple psychotherapy
• Transcultural Psychotherapy
• Psycho-educational Therapy

The professional will discuss the type of psychotherapy with the Patient and reassess the effectiveness of the treatment at time intervals agreed upon.

How long will it last?

The length of the therapy is based on its effectiveness and the responsiveness of the Patient to the approach used and to the Treater. A brief, problem-focused psychotherapy can last between 10 and 16 sessions. A psychodynamic-oriented approach can last 6 months to a year or even longer. Approaches can also be combined in order to address specific issues or multiple problems.

What support is provided to couples?

Couples may experience a variety of relationship challenges related to communication difficulties, sexual problems or cross-cultural differences. Counselling can be used to overcome these sorts of problems. Psychological support can also be offered to couples that are going through a major life changing event (death or illness of family member, divorce, separation, etc.). Therapy or counseling is particularly important throughout all phases of separation or divorce whereby the couple or family unit faces new stressors and adjustments are required of each member.

What about medications and psychotherapy?

A vast body of scientific literature and research has consistently shown that evidence-based psychotherapies can be extremely effective when used in combination with a psychopharmacological regimen for the treatment of different disorders including mood and anxiety disorders when appropriate. It is important that these treatments are synergic and revisited throughout the whole treatment process.