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Psychotherapy
can have both benefits and risks. Psychotherapy has been shown to have benefits for people who go through it. Therapy can
lead to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress.1
In fact, recent research has demonstrated that some types of psychotherapy offer equal or better treatment
results at a lower cost than medication.2
However, since
therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness,
guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. Approaching feelings or thoughts that you have tried not to think
about for a long time may be painful. Making changes in your beliefs or behavior can be scary, and sometimes disruptive to
the relationships you already have. It is important that you consider carefully whether these risks are worth the benefits
to you of changing. However, there are no guarantees of what you will experience.
1. For more discussion on efficacy of therapy, see http://www.apa.org/practice/peff.html
2. Pomeranz, J. Drug Benefit Trends 11(7):2-BH-5-BH,
1999.
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