Cognitive Therapy Basics

NYC therapy is therapy that is used to help people and it is derived from the social science called psychology. It is a practical science that is used to help understand the world around us and how it affects the human being in his environment.

Psychology contains issues that concern everyone and can be very diverse. One end of the spectrum is mental illness while the other end includes many social questions. Generally, NYC therapy deals with the stress that affects people in their every day lives.

It may also deal with sleep cycles and their difficulties for many people, improving mental skills like memory and how a person learns. One thing that we can be clear on is that psychology deals with issues that affect the development of human beings from the cradle to the grave and in time may proceed past that. It also investigates body processes and how they effect emotion.

An example of this would understand the reason why the environment may affect the neurotransmitters in the brain, bringing on some mental illnesses which often change our behavior.

New York City is renowned around the world for its culture, movies, fashion, economics and art. Although it is flexible and diverse; change is not a new concept in this city. It can also be conservative and traditional. If something new comes in the way of treating people with therapy, you would not be wrong in suggesting that the idea was first used in NYC therapy.

NYC therapy offers traditional therapies that have been designed to meet the social changes that have taken place over time. NYC therapy is the first place to offer people who have a busy schedule therapy on the run. Instead of having to go to a psychologist’s office, your psychologist will meet with you on the way to where you are going.

You might wind up meeting in central park because it is on the way to where you need to be. The people who are able to get this kind of therapy are the largest percent of the population. Children, friends, family and work combined with a busy life style bring on stresses that if not dealt with tend to manifest themselves.

NYC therapy can help individuals get back on track and reconnect with their lives so that they are relatively peaceful rather then in constant turmoil. NYC therapy also helps people with many other problems such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders and pain that is chronic and often coupled with chronic fatigue commonly referred to as somatic complaints, post traumatic stress disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders.

You will find the most common NYC therapy to be much the same as therapy that is practiced anywhere else. Cognitive behavior therapy assists people in recognizing negative thoughts and maladaptive beliefs. This is a type of insight therapy because its emphasis is on recognizing the problems you have so you can change them.

Psychoanalytic therapies that were originally developed by Freud, explains personality and what motivates the behavior that is usually unconscious. Systemic and family therapies focus on the problem and how it affects the whole which is the family.

Other types of NYC therapy include cognitive analytic, humanistic therapy in which the therapist is trained to be empathetic and supportive, so that their clients feel safe and know that their problems and who they are, are understood and respected.

Group analysis, art therapy and expressive arts that help a client deepen self expression, body-oriented psychotherapy that helps the client to understand that we can heal and transform ourselves from the painful memories of the past. Therapy that helps a person understand the past and the personal issues that come from past relationships so that the present can bring healing is Psychodynamic psychotherapy.

NYC therapy is easily obtainable through many different areas. People looking for therapy can find information and referrals through their family doctor. They can also find therapy through the mental health community, hospitals both public and private, community health centers, universities and some businesses.

Private NYC therapists give quality therapy because of their long standing practice and knowledge that they have obtained, not only through their education, but through their experience as well. Types of therapy and where to get the therapy you are looking for can be found on websites that show people where to go and how the therapy works.

Many of the online sights give you maps of the area in which to define your search parameters to make your search that much easier. NYC therapists do their best to help you succeed in the changes you wish to make in your life, or to correct and change life issues that are stopping you from enjoying life to the fullest of your ability.

NYC therapists work with their clients in a friendly relaxed manner that is responsible, ethical and empathetic.



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If you want to get an idea of what psychotherapy s all about, watch an episode of the television series The Sopranos. Tony Soprano is a mafia don in New Jersey who is in talk therapy with Dr. Jennifer Melfi. He has panic attacks, loses consciousness, and has slipped into a depression. All of this seems irrational to him, but he can’t help it. He has some hidden agenda lying just outside his awareness that is controlling his feelings and behavior. He doesn’t believe in therapy at the start, convinced he cannot talk about himself and that it won’t help anyway. He resists, evading Dr. Melfi’s questions, withdrawing, and even walking out. But eventually he is intrigued.

Aspects of his unconscious experience expressed in his dreams and in the triggers of his panic attacks come together. For Tony, ducks and their babies stir up a deep-seated dread having to do with his tortured relationship with his malevolent mother. He begins to have some conscious awareness of what is really bothering him in his depths. And he begins to feel better. This is what psychotherapy is about – an exploration of one’s internal world, conscious and unconscious, played out in the relationship between the patient and the therapist, designed to alleviate pain and suffering.

Psychotherapy is a conversation, a two-person enterprise in which both participants contribute to an evolving relationship. The therapist’s task is to create a safe atmosphere in which the patient can open up and express feelings he may have repressed his entire life. She analyzes his defenses against these feelings – his joking, forgetting, intellectualizing, rationalizing, denying, avoiding, and withdrawing into silence. And she offers ways of understanding his experience, leading him toward self-awareness.

The patient’s task is to open up as much as possible, say whatever comes to mind, note whether the therapist’s attempts to understand him click at a gut level, and tell her the reactions he has to what she offers. Together they uncover the meaning of the patient’s words and deeds. Therapy sessions are emotionally rich and alive, full of moments of tenderness, closeness and intimacy, anger and hostility, silence and withdrawal, dead ends and moments of insight and even epiphany.

One of the ways in which therapy works has to do with the concept of transference. Freud discovered transference when his female patients regularly fell in love with him. He came to understand that patients experience their therapists like important figures from their infancy and childhood, unconsciously transferring intense feelings and needs onto the therapist for satisfaction. In this way, the patient relives and masters unresolved conflicts or developmental steps from childhood, so that he can progress in life with greater freedom and security. Furthermore, old relational scripts developed in early life are unconsciously repeated in the therapeutic relationship and are relinquished in favor of more adaptive ways of relating.

The process is often heated and painful, but endlessly rewarding. Symptoms, inhibitions, relationship problems, feelings of hopelessness or futility or purposelessness or despair, all improve or disappear as a result of treatment. Therapy is not an intellectual exercise. It is not advice. And it is not a quick fix. But given sufficient time, intensive psychotherapy can transform your personality and your life, allowing you the freedom to be yourself.



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Hundreds of nursing home administrators in northern Illinois and elsewhere, have provided their residents with relief from depression and other emotional difficulties without adding more drugs. They do so by making psychotherapy available to their residents through the services of a psychologist practicing independently on staff.

This brief question-and-answer guide provides valuable information to help administrators and nursing supervisors get their residents to benefit from outpatient psychotherapy and counseling.

When should you consider psychotherapy or counseling for a resident?

Psychotherapy is a partnership between a long term care resident and a professional, such as a psychologist. The psychologist is highly trained to help residents understand their feelings in order to assist them in changing their behavior.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-third of adults in the United States experience an emotional or substance abuse problem. Nearly 25 percent of long term care residents suffer at some point from depression or anxiety.

You should consider psychotherapy for your residents under the following circumstances:

When they feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness or helplessness, or lack hope in their lives.

When their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, when they are unable to concentrate on ADLs or they are too withdrawn.

When their actions are harmful to themselves or to others. For instance, if they resist directions or become overly aggressive.

When they are troubled by emotional difficulties with family members, a spouse or other residents.

What does research show about the effectiveness of psychotherapy?

Research suggests that therapy effectively decreases residents depression and anxiety and related symptoms—such as pain, fatigue and nausea. Psychotherapy has also been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body’s immune system.

Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are very closely linked and that therapy can improve an elderly persons overall health status.

There is convincing evidence that most nursing home residents who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than untreated residents with emotional difficulties.

One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions while 75 percent of individuals in psychotherapy improved by the end of six months.

How do I find a qualified psychologist for my facility?

Selecting a therapist is a highly individual matter.

There are several ways to get referrals to qualified psychologists, including the following:

Talk to existing staff members about recommendations, especially if they, or someone they know, has had a good experience with a particular psychologist. Many state psychological associations operate referral services which can put you in touch with a psychologist who might be ideal for your facility. Ask your medical director or nursing supervisor for a referral. Tell them what’s important to you in choosing a psychologist, so he or she can make appropriate suggestions. Inquire at a church or synagogue. Look in the phone book for the listing of a local mental health association or community mental health centers and check these sources for possible referrals.

Ideally, you will end up with more than one lead. Call and request the opportunity, either by phone or in person, to ask the psychologist some questions about the possibility of doing nursing home work.

You might want to inquire about his or her licensure, approach to psychotherapy and participation in Medicare and other insurance plans. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe your residents would interact well.

If a resident begins psychotherapy, how can I help her to gain the most from it?

There are many approaches to outpatient psychotherapy and various formats in which it may occur—including individual, group and family psychotherapy. Despite the variations, all psychotherapy is a two-way process that works especially well when residents and their therapists communicate openly.

Research has shown that the outcome of psychotherapy is improved when the therapist and resident agree early about what the major problems are and how psychotherapy can help.

Your psychologist and resident will both have a responsibility in establishing and maintaining a good working relationship. Be clear with your psychologist about your residents expectations and the best way to work with them and the facility staff. Psychotherapy works best when the resident or family attends all scheduled sessions and give some forethought to what they should discuss.

How can I evaluate whether therapy is working well in my facility?

When your psychologist begins psychotherapy with a resident, you should be sure clear goals are established. Perhaps your resident needs to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression. Or maybe she should learn to control a fear that disrupts her daily life.

Certain tasks will require more time to accomplish than others; your residents may need to adjust their goals depending on how long the psychological therapy will last.

After a few weeks, it is a good sign if you feel the experience truly is a joint effort between you, the psychologist and the staff so that your residents and psychologist enjoy a good rapport. On the other hand, you should be open with the psychologist if you find yourself feeling confused or lacking direction in how the process is supposed to benefit your residents and help your staff.

There may be times when a psychologist may be nervous, rushed, appear cold and disinterested or does not seem to regard a certain resident positively. Tell him/her if this is the situation, or if you question other aspects of his or her approach.

Residents often feel a wide range of emotions during psychotherapy. Some qualms about psychotherapy residents may have result from difficulty in discussing painful and troubling experiences. When this happens, however, it can actually be a positive sign indicating that the residents are starting to explore their thoughts and behaviors.

You should spend time with the psychologist periodically reviewing his/her progress with your residents (or your concern that they may not be making sufficient headway). Although there are other considerations affecting the duration of anyones psychological treatment, success in reaching the primary goals for the resident should be the major factor in deciding when treatment should end.

Psychotherapy and counseling is not easy. But your residents who are willing to work in close partnership with the psychologist often find relief from their emotional distress and begin to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.



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Before I start, let me say that the subject of “Psychotherapy” is vast, so I can address only a few issues in this article. Another reason for me to pause in writing is that for nearly every statement I make (and for most people as well), there are exceptions, lack of clarity and your interpretations of what I say–not always what I mean. The complexity of communication will be the topic for another article, which will also be based not only on my years as a psychologist and clinician, but also as a son, husband, father and grandfather, as well as a human being.

In this article, I’ll focus on some common concerns people have about psychotherapy. When I became a psychologist over forty years ago, many more people had misconceptions about psychotherapy. Some felt it was only for those with serious emotional and behavioral problems. Others believed there was a stigma attached to seeing a therapist. Then there were those who thought they shouldn’t need help in solving their problems. Another hindrance was financial–psychotherapy coverage was excluded by many insurance companies or limited to psychiatrists. The media also contributed to misconceptions by often portraying therapists in bizarre ways-being miracle workers or more disturbed than the people who came to see them.

Today there is a greater understanding and acceptance of psychotherapy. Most people realize there are times when they can benefit from getting help with emotional and relationship problems. But many people still have questions such as, “Do I really need therapy?” “Could I benefit from therapy?” “Which kind of therapy would be best for me?” and “How do I pick a therapist?”

I believe that the most important issue for people considering therapy–or resuming therapy–is the personal qualities of the therapist. Studies show that these qualities–along with experience–are most crucial, even more important than the therapist’s school of therapy (most therapists consider themselves eclectic, utilizing a variety of techniques, hopefully suited to the particular person).

We make instant judgments about people, often correct but sometimes wrong. But consider the first contact with the therapist, which is usually by phone. Does the therapist pick up or if you leave a message,, how soon is your call returned? Of course the therapist may be busy but if on vacation, does the message tell you that? Or if there is a legitimate delay, does the therapist mention that on the return call? Does the therapist listen to you during your call? If you have questions, are they answered? If the therapist is busy and can’t be on the phone for long, is the therapist at least polite? If you want an appointment, can you be seen reasonably soon? If the situation is an emergency, can the therapist make special arrangements? For example, if I have no open time, I tell the person that if there is a cancellation, I’ll call them. I also tell them that I understand if they need to contact other less busy therapists.

Let me mention now that first impressions, while crucial, may be wrong. Therapists, like the people who come to see them, may be very busy or just having a bad day. Consider that when making the telephone call or sitting in the waiting room. With that in mind, you’ve made the appointment and are now in the waiting room. Is it comfortable and does it show consideration for those waiting? For example, besides the magazines (recent ones, not five-year-old ones!) I have a fish tank (studies show that helps people relax). I also have toys for children. And how prompt is the therapist? Does the therapist respect your time as much as the therapist expects you to respect the therapist’s time? If the therapist is delayed, does he or she step out to tell you?

Next, how does the therapist greet you? Is it friendly as well as professional? Does the therapist face you (the couch was given up by most therapists years ago)? Let me insert here a warning, related to my hesitancy in making generalizations: if you are interested in psychoanalytic therapy, the couch and free association are appropriate.

I believe the therapist should present himself or herself as a person, avoiding appearing oracular, as if coming from another planet or revealing all of his problems. Other questions to consider are: Does the therapist listen to you? Does the therapist reflect an understanding of your situation and ask appropriate questions? Does the therapist explain (if you haven’t already asked), how you can be helped? But you have to be realistic and not expect to have your problem(s)–generally many years in the making–resolved in the first–or first few–sessions.

After you’ve left, consider if you felt comfortable and helped (or at least were your concerns clarified). Did the therapist answer your questions without being defensive? For example, if you had asked, “How long will therapy take?” rather than being dismissive or noncommittal, do you get an answer such as, “I know you want to solve your problems as soon as possible, but I need to get a better understanding of-” and then mentions what those are. Has the therapist reasonably explained in layman’s terms how he or she will help you, as well as what is expected of you in therapy. I believe that therapy is a collaborative effort with necessary adjustments and revisions on both parts.

Again, I don’t want to generalize. Perhaps your situation is so complicated that several sessions are required for the therapist to understand them. If the therapist believes certain approaches will help, does the therapist mention them (e.g., stress reduction techniques for anxiety, cognitive therapy to correct misconceptions about oneself and others)? Does the therapist–regardless of how serious or complicated your problems are–give you a sense that you can be realistically helped?

Just as a therapy session has a time limit with many issues not addressed, so does an article like this. I plan follow-up articles (e.g., family and work relationships, stress and mood problems). And of course there are many other sources for you continue finding the answers to the questions you

have.



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