Attitudes about mental health are changing, and seeking therapeutic help is no longer seen as something stigmatised or ‘weak’, but as a sign of courage, open-mindedness and a desire to take responsibility and to change. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Similarly to physical health: instead of waiting until one is seriously ill before consulting a medical doctor, it pays off to take care of one’s health proactively, learn what it takes to be healthy, and therefore enjoy a more active and fulfilled, and longer, life.

Psychotherapy can help with acute problems and mental health ‘diagnoses’ such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, phobias, OCD, addictions, ADHD, and eating disorders, but also with relationship problems, separation and loss, low self-esteem, difficulties setting boundaries or being assertive, sexuality and intimacy. It can work towards behaviour change in a clear and focused way, or be longer-term and exploratory, aiming to understand and change complex patterns of relationships and feelings.

The most in-depth form is analytic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis, which aims to unblock deep psychological configurations and conflicts, many of which can be partially unconscious. This can be particularly helpful with issues which we have tried to work on but failed - for example, a pattern of ‘self-sabotage’ in one’s career, seemingly blocking success, or a pervasive repetition of unsatisfying or unhealthy relational patterns, such as repeatedly being attracted to the ‘wrong person’ or repeating problematic patterns with one’s children, despite having sworn one would not.

Far from being ‘self-indulgent’, good quality psychotherapy can help solve these conflicts and enable people to find their true identity, in work, hobbies and relationships, and can, thus, lead to a much more fulfilled and productive life.