The Power of Psychotherapy
I am constantly on the look out for ways to explain why psychotherapy is such a powerful tool for healing emotional and psychological wounds. Yet again, I find inspiration in this month’s issue of The Sun magazine – the theme this month is loosely organized around psychology and the field of psychotherapy. There is a section in each issue called “Sunbeams” that features quotes from famous people on the theme of the month, and two quotes – one from Sigmund Freud and the other from Carl Rogers (both renowned for their contributions to the field in different ways) sum up what makes the therapy space so special.
“A layman will no doubt find it hard to understand how pathological disorders of the body and mind can be eliminated by “mere” words. He will feel that he is being asked to believe in magic. And he will not be so very wrong, for the words which we use in our everyday speech are nothing other than watered-down magic.” Sigmund Freud
“When someone really hears you without passing judgment on you, without taking responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good. . . . When I have been listened to and when I have been heard, I am able to perceive my world in a new way and to go on. It is astonishing how elements which seem insoluble become soluble when someone listens.” Carl Rogers
Though there are many different “types” of psychotherapy, what they all have in common is finding words to explain our experience and doing so in the context of a relationship with someone who is deeply and carefully listening.
For more information on The Sun magazine click here: http://www.thesunmagazine.org/
Thanks for reading!