Functions of a psychotherapist

As you know, it is the personality of the psychotherapist, and not something else, that is the main instrument in therapy.  

The ability to be liked, to feel relaxed in any society, empathy and the ability to analyze can be either innate qualities or acquired as a result of a sincere interest in people.

In different areas of psychotherapy, the meaning of these personal qualities is different.

Of course, a psychotherapist should enjoy life and the process of psychotherapy itself, no matter how difficult it may be. That is, sincere interest in people, and not money, should be the main motive in work.

He must be open and not hide behind the mask of a guru, while not merging with the client, but empathetically penetrating into the world of another.

Respect the client's ability to solve their problems. Be specific and clear. Know and accept yourself, be congruent (when body language and gestures do not contradict words)

Psychotherapists who have emotional problems and do not share the client’s values are less effective in therapy.

In addition, the psychotherapist serves as an expert in therapy. And he should be able to

- let the client finish without reacting, maintain silence

- reflect the feelings and content of the conversation

- paraphrase, create metaphors

- highlight the main thing, summarize

- clarify roles, feelings, use open questions

- generate hypotheses

- switch between “here and now” and “there and then”

- resist inconsistency and ambivalence

- set goals, plan therapy

- withstand unpleasant topics, manage your behavior

- reinforce useful reactions, persuade and inspire

- work with transference and countertransference

In psychoanalysis, the figure of the psychotherapist is more detached and neutral in relation to the client. In client-centered methods, the psychotherapist is more sympathetic and empathetic.

Based on these skills, we can identify several functions.  The psychotherapist should:

• Form a working alliance based on trust, empathy and authority
• Diagnose the problem and form a working hypothesis.
• Help determine goals and make decisions in therapy
• Monitor the results and explain them to the client.
• Select effective techniques
• Motivate and mobilize the client so that the client moves forward and is not disappointed
• Inform the client about the progress of therapy and provide knowledge to resolve the request
• Plan strategy and tactics of therapy
• Teach the client self-help techniques and separation from the therapist at the end of therapy
• Help the client overcome resistance to therapy
• Perform an ethical and legal function - that is, for the safety of yourself, the client and other people
• Perform an organizational function - plan meetings and everything connected with them.

I hope this article has clarified the functions of a psychotherapist for you.

The main function is to help you solve your psychological problems as a tool, to summarize.

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