When We Need Therapy The Most
The 18th century can be described as the Age of Enlightenment, marked by concepts such as reason, science, and individual freedom, particularly with the French Revolution. The most significant turning point of the 19th century was undoubtedly the Industrial Revolution. The 20th century, on the other hand, can be defined as a century of war and trauma, as two world wars took place within the same hundred years.
Why does this brief historical overview serve as the introduction to this article? Because toward the end of the 20th century, an interesting development occurred. Centuries of accumulated trauma and social transformation prepared us for a new era.
Among the developments that have shaped the 21st century so far are the internet, digitalization, social media, and artificial intelligence. A global pandemic began as a physical health crisis but, through quarantine, grief, uncertainty, and the loss of a sense of control, it also negatively affected the mental health of large populations.
Within a constantly and rapidly changing agenda, issues of identity and belonging, loneliness and alienation, and increases in anxiety and depression have driven people toward a search for psychological well-being and resilience. This search is also clearly visible in the psychological content produced and consumed on social media.
Yes, most people need therapy. Sometimes to recognize repetitive patterns, sometimes to find meaning, and sometimes to build healthier relationships with oneself and others, therapy becomes an important necessity. But how should one choose the right type of therapy and the right therapist?
Psychotherapy And Therapeutic Approaches
Contrary to popular belief, psychotherapy does not consist of a single method. Since the development of psychoanalytic therapy by Sigmund Freud, many different therapeutic approaches have emerged. Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy place unconscious processes, repressed drives, and childhood experiences at the center of therapy, examining how past experiences shape present behavior.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and behavioral therapy, on the other hand, are based on the idea that human behavior is shaped through learning. While the behavioral approach focuses on observable behaviors, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy also incorporates thought patterns and emotions into the process. Thoughts influence emotions, and emotions influence behavior. Both approaches focus more on the present than the past, and therapist and client work collaboratively to set concrete goals. They are frequently preferred for depression- and anxiety-related difficulties.
The common ground of humanistic, Gestalt, and existential approaches is their focus on meaning and awareness rather than symptom reduction. The client is seen as an active agent responsible for their own life, and the relationship between client and therapist takes precedence over technique. Rather than aiming to eliminate symptoms quickly, these approaches seek to explore what those symptoms mean in the person’s life.
There are also many other approaches, such as Schema Therapy, EMDR, and Systemic Therapy. However, one of the most important factors remains the choice of therapist.
Who Can Be Called A Good Therapist?
Although therapeutic schools, techniques, and ways of addressing problems differ, research consistently shows that the most decisive factor in psychotherapy is the relationship the therapist establishes with the client. This process, referred to as the therapeutic alliance, begins with the client feeling understood and accepted. Only when a person feels safe, and when the therapy room becomes a secure space, can they express their real concerns.
A “good” therapist is, above all, a strong listener. They are able to notice not only what is said in the therapy room but also what remains unspoken. They show empathy while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Rather than directing the client, they accompany them, creating space for the client to discover their own answers instead of offering ready-made solutions.
Conclusion: Is There Such A Thing As The Best Therapy?
When all these approaches and schools are considered, it is not possible to give a single answer to the question of “the best therapy.” Each individual’s experiences, needs, and expectations are different. We live in a time when almost everyone may need therapy, and accordingly, needs and expectations vary widely.
Even if a therapist cannot adapt to every need, they must preserve their enthusiasm, ideals, and motivation to understand the person in front of them. At this point, the most important factor determining the success of therapy is not the technique used, but the ability to establish a relationship in which the client feels safe.
“Learn your theories as well as you can, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul, be just another human soul.”
— Carl Gustav Jung
For this reason, the defining question in psychotherapy is not “which therapy is better?” but rather “is a genuine encounter possible in this room?”
References
Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2018). Psychotherapy relationships that work: Evidence-based therapist contributions. Oxford University Press.
Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). The Great Psychotherapy Debate: The Evidence for What Makes Psychotherapy Work. Routledge.