What is Psychotherapy?

Rhonda Smith, MSW, LCSW

Often in social conversation the curious question is asked about what I do for a living.   I get mixed reactions when I reveal that I am a therapist but most people quickly say “Oh? What kind of therapist?”  Once I clarify that I am a mental health therapist, people seem to immediately put up some kind of invisible brain shield, as if to ward off my supernatural powers of mind reading.  Even my friends sometimes say “Stop analyzing me!” and my daughters tell me to “Stop being a therapist!  I need my mom!” when I am talking to them about sensitive teenage problems.   The truth is that it is difficult for me to be a different person when with friends or family than in the therapist’s chair in my office.  The reason for this is because I am pretty much the same, in and out of my role at work.

When a new patient comes into my therapy office, the natural reaction is one of anxiousness.  Some people have never participated in therapy before, but they realize the need for it because of negative circumstances in their life or their own coping skills simply aren’t working for them anymore.   Some look around and wonder if they should lay down on the couch and close their eyes while I hurriedly scribble notes down on my pad, with me making judgment about their id, ego, and superego.  I do have a couch, and you are welcome to lay down on it, but the process if far from that of what you have seen in the movies.

The process of therapy is pretty simple.  I introduce myself and ask you to tell me a little bit about yourself and what brings you into therapy at this time.  Then, we just talk.  It is just a conversation.  Most people cry during the first session and some cry every time I see them.   I tell people that it is the couch’s fault, there is something about sitting there that just makes people cry.   This is my way of lightening the mood (in an appropriate manner, of course), because when people come to see me, it us usually because something is wrong.  I have a mood chart on my wall that I use for children to put stickers in the column that describes how they are feeling that day.  They can pick any one of many categories that include angry, nervous, happy, sad, crying, excited, scared or bored.   One kid made the observation that I “sure had a lot of happy people come here to be a therapist office.”  Children process their feelings differently and see therapy as sort of an adventure.  But if adults used stickers, there would be full pages of sad, angry, nervous, scared, and overwhelmed.

I use the first session to inform you that anything you say to me will never be repeated to anyone without your permission (with the exception of suicidal/homicidal plans – see future column).  The therapy office is sacred, your safe place where you can say anything.  Therapy is a sanctuary for relief and healing.  I will explore in next week’s column the continued process for counseling, what is discussed and what interventions are used for helping you discover who you are and how to improve your life.  If you are considering entering into a therapeutic relationship, try not to be nervous and get the help you need now.   Therapists are just people.  I promise, it isn’t as bad as you think!

Rhonda Smith, MSW, LCSW, is a Therapist at South Central Behavioral Health Services in Laurel. For more information or to make an appointment with Rhonda Smith, please call 601-426-9614 or visit scrmc.com.