Psychotherapy

If you are feeling anxious, flat, overwhelmed or simply not like yourself, you are not alone. Psychotherapy gives you a structured, confidential space with a trained mental health professional to make sense of what is happening and change patterns that are no longer working.

At Energetics Institute in Perth, our psychotherapists work with adults across Western Australia and Australia wide. We combine psychological therapy, body based work and relationship focused approaches so that change is not only intellectual, but felt in daily life and relationships.

Key Facts

• Psychotherapy, sometimes called talk therapy or talking therapy, uses structured conversations and other techniques to treat mental health conditions and ease emotional distress.
• It is provided by licensed mental health professionals such as counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists and other mental health professionals with specific training.
• Psychotherapy aims to help a person identify unhelpful thoughts, underlying interpersonal issues, emotional reactions and behaviours, then strengthen coping mechanisms and build healthier, more functional behaviours.
• There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic approaches, family therapy, supportive psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy and creative arts therapy.
• Psychotherapy can help with common mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, eating disorders, personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and work or relationship stress.
• At Energetics Institute, psychotherapy sessions are available in person in Perth and via secure telehealth for adults across Australia.

What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a professional, evidence informed way of helping people change how they think, feel, behave and relate. It is sometimes called talk therapy, psychological therapy or simply therapy.

In psychotherapy you meet regularly with a mental health professional in a therapist’s office or online. Together you look at:

• How your thoughts, beliefs and mental health condition influence your mood and behaviour
• How emotions show up in your body and relationships
• How past experiences and mental illnesses may still be shaping your reactions now
• What needs to shift so you can feel more stable, connected and effective in daily life

Unlike a casual chat with a friend, psychotherapy work is guided by a treatment plan, theory and clinical skills. The person receiving treatment is actively involved rather than passively listening. Over time, this helps you:

• Increase self awareness
• Resolve conflicts inside yourself and with other people
• Develop healthy coping skills and coping mechanisms for life’s challenges
• Rebuild mental well being and a stronger sense of self

At Energetics Institute, our practicing therapists integrate mind, body and relationship perspectives so that psychotherapy aims at genuine, lasting change rather than quick fixes.

Psychotherapy And Other Treatment Options

Psychotherapy can stand alone or sit alongside other therapies and supports such as:

• Care from a GP or medical doctor
• Support from community mental health services and human services
• Lifestyle changes around sleep, movement and substance use
• Peer support groups or structured programs

Even when medication or other therapies reduce symptoms, psychotherapy often addresses deeper patterns, such as:

• A harsh inner critic that fuels negative feelings
• Long term avoidance of conflict that damages relationships
• Panic and shutdown when you feel criticised or abandoned
• Relentless overworking that slowly burns you out

While this page focuses on psychotherapy rather than medication management, it is common for some people to see medical doctors such as psychiatrists who can prescribe medication, while also working with a psychotherapist or other mental health professionals on the psychological side of recovery.

When Would I Need Psychotherapy?

People seek psychotherapy for many reasons. Some have a diagnosed mental health condition or specific mental health conditions such as panic disorder, bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. Others simply know that life should not feel this hard.

You might consider psychotherapy if you:

• Feel persistently anxious, low, empty or on edge
• Notice emotional distress that feels out of proportion to events
• Struggle with work stress or burnout regardless of job or role
• See the same relationship problems repeating with different partners, family members or colleagues
• Carry unresolved shock, loss or trauma from earlier in life
• Feel disconnected from your own body, interests or sense of purpose
• Have tried to think your way out of things but still feel stuck

Case Example: Depression And Work Stress

“Mark” was in his early 40s and came to Energetics Institute feeling exhausted and flat. On paper he was successful, but every work day felt like walking through wet cement. He had tried time management courses, leave, even changing teams. Nothing shifted his emotional distress.

Through psychotherapy we explored long standing beliefs that he had to earn love by overperforming, shaped by his family of origin. We used cognitive behavioural therapy tools to challenge all or nothing thinking, body based strategies to calm his nervous system and supportive therapy to help him experiment with new boundaries at work. Over time his mood lifted, his daily life felt less like a battle and he could enjoy rest without crushing guilt.

(Example only, not a real client.)

Case Example: Trauma, Anxiety And Relationships

“Sara” came to talk therapy after years of anxiety, hypervigilance and relationship conflict. She did not meet criteria for post traumatic stress disorder but had a history of emotional neglect. Through psychodynamic psychotherapy and interpersonal psychotherapy, we unpacked old patterns of people pleasing and withdrawal, and used acceptance and commitment therapy strategies to help her act in line with her values even when fear was present. Her relationships became more honest and less volatile.

(Example only.)

What Are The Types Of Psychotherapy?

There are many types of psychotherapy. In practice, an experienced licensed mental health professional will often blend approaches so that treatment fits you rather than forcing you into a rigid method.

At Energetics Institute we draw from several main streams.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at how your thoughts, feelings and behaviour interact. CBT, also known internationally as cognitive behavioral therapy, helps you:

• Notice automatic thoughts such as catastrophising, mind reading or harsh self judgement
• Question whether those thoughts are accurate or helpful
• Replace them with more realistic, balanced perspectives
• Practise new, more functional behaviours in real situations

CBT based psychotherapy sessions are structured and goal focused. They are widely used in clinical trials and recommended by bodies such as the American Psychiatric Association for many anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder.

At Energetics Institute we often integrate CBT therapy with mindfulness based cognitive therapy techniques and grounding strategies so that change is felt in the body, not just understood in the mind.

Humanistic Therapies

Humanistic therapies focus on your capacity for growth, meaning and choice. These talking therapy approaches emphasise:

• A genuine, respectful relationship between you and your therapist
• Your lived experience, not only your diagnosis or mental illness label
• Support for self awareness, self acceptance and personal responsibility

Examples include person centred therapy and some forms of creative arts therapy. In our practice therapy feels collaborative rather than clinical, so you can explore who you really are, what matters to you and how to live more authentically.

Insight-Oriented Therapies

Insight oriented therapies, including psychodynamic therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy, explore how your past is still present in your current patterns. They look at:

• Early attachment experiences and family scripts
• Unconscious beliefs about safety, love and worth
• Repeated themes in relationships, work and inner dialogue
• Emotional defences you use to avoid pain

These therapies can be a more intensive form of treatment when needed, especially for personality disorders, long standing depression and complex trauma. Classical psychoanalysis is an even more intensive form with multiple therapy sessions per week.

In our Perth practice we use modern psychodynamic therapy approaches that are active, collaborative and focused on helping you function better in daily life, not just analysing your history.

Systemic And Family Therapies

Systemic and family therapy approaches focus on patterns between people rather than only inside one person. They are often used by family therapists, licensed marriage and family therapists, social workers and other mental health professionals.

This frame is useful when working with:

• Couple conflict and communication problems
• Family members who keep replaying the same arguments
• Intergenerational patterns of caretaking, conflict or emotional distance

Even in individual psychotherapy, systemic thinking helps you see how you fit into wider systems such as your family, workplace and culture.

Expressive Therapies

Expressive therapies use creativity in the service of healing. This might include:

• Art and drawing
• Writing or letter work
• Simple movement and body awareness
• Music or other creative arts therapy techniques

These can be especially helpful when words feel too limited or when emotional distress sits in the body. Some services also offer animal assisted therapy and play therapy, particularly in work with children and young people. At Energetics Institute we selectively use expressive methods with adults who find them helpful.

Other Approaches

Modern psychotherapy also includes:

• Acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps you accept difficult experiences, clarify values and take committed action
• Dialectical behavior therapy, originally developed for borderline personality disorder, which combines CBT, mindfulness and emotion regulation skills
• Mindfulness based cognitive therapy, which integrates mindfulness with CBT to help prevent relapse in depression
• Supportive psychotherapy and supportive therapy, which strengthen coping mechanisms, provide encouragement and help you problem solve under stress
• Interpersonal therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy, which focus on relationships, role transitions and grief

Your Energetics Institute therapist will explain which types of psychotherapy they are using and why, and invite your feedback so that the process remains tailored and collaborative.

Psychotherapy For Children And Adolescents

Psychotherapy can be very effective for children and adolescents, usually with strong parent involvement, age appropriate language and more use of play therapy and family therapy. Work with young people often focuses on school stress, behaviour, mood and social difficulties.

Energetics Institute works with adults aged 18 and over. If you are seeking a mental health professional for a younger person, your GP, school counsellor or local health and human services can help you find a specialist child or youth service.

How Is Psychotherapy Delivered?

Psychotherapy can be delivered in different formats while keeping the core relationship and purpose the same.

In-Person Sessions

In person psychotherapy sessions happen in a private, comfortable therapist’s office. Many people find that:

• Physically entering a dedicated space helps them focus and feel contained
• Subtle non verbal cues are easier to read for both client and therapist
• Leaving the building at the end of a therapy session creates a helpful boundary between therapy and the rest of daily life

At Energetics Institute in Perth, our rooms are set up to feel calm and professional so you can explore difficult topics without distractions.

Telepsychotherapy And Digital Options

Telepsychotherapy uses secure video or phone to deliver talk therapy at a distance. It is particularly helpful if you:

• Live outside Perth or in a regional or remote area
• Travel frequently for work
• Prefer the convenience and privacy of home

Online therapy can include individual psychotherapy, group therapy and some forms of supportive therapy. Energetics Institute offers online psychotherapy to adults across Australia, with clear agreements to protect privacy and maintain the quality of the work.

Benefits And Effectiveness Of Psychotherapy

How Effective Is Psychotherapy?

Research from universities and medical schools worldwide, including large clinical trials, shows that psychotherapy can:

• Reduce symptoms of many mental disorders and specific mental health conditions
• Improve relationships and communication
• Help people return to study, work and other important roles
• Support recovery after mental illnesses such as severe depression or anxiety disorders

In our clinical experience at Energetics Institute, people often describe more subtle but profound benefits, such as:

• Feeling more at home in their own skin
• Being able to pause before reacting and choose more functional behaviours
• Experiencing genuine intimacy without feeling trapped or overwhelmed

Psychotherapy does not erase painful memories, but it can change how those experiences live inside you.

Psychotherapy Compared With Other Treatments

Psychotherapy differs from many other mental health services because it:

• Works on both symptom relief and deeper understanding
• Uses a relationship with a licensed mental health professional as a central tool for change
• Addresses thoughts, feelings, body responses and relationships together

Some people need a combination of psychotherapy and other therapies. For example, a medical doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe medications for severe mood symptoms, while psychotherapy focuses on patterns, relationships and healthy coping skills.

Overseas, organisations such as the American Psychiatric Association and health and human services departments strongly endorse psychotherapy for many conditions. In Australia, similar support exists from professional bodies and mental health services.

Risks And Possible Adverse Effects

Psychotherapy is generally low risk, but it is not always comfortable. As you explore difficult experiences you might:

• Feel more emotional or tired for a while
• Notice increased sensitivity to relationship dynamics or work stress
• Experience tension with family members or partners as you set new boundaries

A small number of people may feel worse before they feel better, especially when discussing long avoided topics. There is also a risk that a particular approach or therapist is not a good fit.

At Energetics Institute, we pace therapy carefully, invite feedback and adjust the approach when needed so that psychotherapy work remains challenging but safe.

What Happens In Psychotherapy?

Your First Therapy Session

The first session is about understanding you, not judging you. Your therapist will typically:

• Ask what prompted you to seek mental health services now
• Explore your background, supports, work, relationships and any mental health condition or diagnosis
• Ask about your goals and what a good outcome would look like
• Explain how psychotherapy sessions usually run and answer your questions

You can also ask about:

• The therapist’s training and experience
• The types of psychotherapy they use
• Fees, health insurance rebates if relevant, and scheduling

It is normal to feel anxious. Many people say that simply telling their story in a safe space brings some relief.

During Psychotherapy

In ongoing therapy sessions you will:

• Talk about current events, feelings and thoughts
• Explore patterns in how you respond to stress, criticism, intimacy and conflict
• Learn and practise practical skills, for example grounding when distressed or assertive communication
• Reflect on how past experiences, mental illness or family dynamics might be shaping your reactions now

You and your therapist review your treatment plan periodically to see what is working and what needs adjustment. You are encouraged to be actively involved, raise concerns and say if something does not feel helpful.

Length Of Psychotherapy

The length of psychotherapy varies. It depends on:

• The complexity of your mental health issues
• How long patterns have been in place
• Whether you are seeking support for a mental health condition such as dependent personality disorder or a focused issue such as recent grief
• How much change you want and how intensively you can work

Short term therapy might be 6 to 12 sessions focused on a specific problem. Longer term psychotherapy can last many months when working on deeply rooted patterns or personality disorders. Your therapist will discuss options with you so expectations are clear.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is central to psychotherapy. Your therapist will explain:

• How your information is stored and who has access
• Limits to confidentiality, for example if there is serious and immediate risk of harm
• How any communication with other health or human services would occur

Clear confidentiality allows you to talk openly about sensitive topics, including mental health issues, relationships, work and family life.

How Can You Get The Most Out Of Psychotherapy?

You are more likely to benefit from psychotherapy if you:

• Choose a therapist you feel you can trust and be honest with
• Attend sessions consistently, even when you feel like avoiding them
• Share your thoughts, feelings and experiences as openly as you can
• Talk about doubts, frustrations or negative feelings about therapy so they can be addressed
• Practise skills between sessions, such as new ways of responding in conflict or self calming when triggered

Small, repeated actions in daily life often create the biggest change. For example, pausing before reacting, trying one different behaviour or naming a feeling rather than numbing it.

How To Choose A Psychotherapist

What To Look For In A Therapist

Consider:

• Training and experience in treating the kinds of mental disorders or mental health conditions you are dealing with
• Membership of a recognised professional body
• A clear explanation of their approach and types of psychotherapy used
• Whether you feel safe, respected and listened to
• Practical factors such as location, availability and fees

At Energetics Institute, our therapists are experienced in working with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, personality patterns, work stress and relationship issues in adults.

Checking Qualifications (Australia)

In Australia there are several pathways to becoming a mental health professional. Psychotherapists and counsellors may belong to peak organisations such as:

• Psychotherapy And Counselling Federation Of Australia (PACFA)
• Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

Psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and some other professions are registered with Ahpra. Membership or registration usually indicates that the therapist meets education, supervision and ethical standards and is accountable to a professional body.

How Can I Find A Psychotherapist?

Face-To-Face Services

Ways to find a local psychotherapist include:

• Searching PACFA or ACA directories for a licensed mental health professional in your area
• Asking your GP or other health professionals for recommendations
• Exploring established practices such as Energetics Institute if you are in Perth or Western Australia

Some people also receive referrals through workplaces, human services agencies or health and human services programs.

Online And Telehealth Services

If in person services are not accessible, you can:

• Search for therapists who offer online talk therapy, group therapy or supportive psychotherapy
• Check whether telehealth services are available across your state or Australia wide
• Ask about fees, health insurance options and how privacy is managed online

Energetics Institute provides secure online psychotherapy for adults across Australia, combining flexibility with the same depth of work we offer in person.

Resources And Support

Resources For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People

• 13YARN 13 92 76 is a free and confidential crisis support line run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

You can also access support through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and local cultural healing services.

Fact Sheets And Reputable Information Sources

Reliable Australian information on mental health and psychotherapy is available from:

• healthdirect
• Head To Health
• Beyond Blue
• SANE Australia
• Black Dog Institute

These sites provide fact sheets, self help tools and information about different mental health services and therapies.

Health Hotlines And Crisis Support

If you need immediate support or are concerned about safety, you can contact:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 22 4636
• 13YARN 13 92 76 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 for children and young people up to 25

If there is an immediate risk to life, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Psychotherapy is a powerful way to understand yourself, ease emotional distress and build a life that feels more authentic and sustainable. If you are ready to move beyond coping and start real change, Energetics Institute in Perth can help.

Book an appointment with Energetics Institute today or learn more about a psychotherapy in Perth, take the next step toward better mental health and a more grounded, connected life.