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Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the formal
treatment of patients using psychological rather than physical or chemical
agents, principally verbal communication.
It is distinguished from other
relationships between people by the formality of a therapeutic agreement, the
specific training, skill and experience of the therapist, and the fact that the
patient has come to the therapist seeking professional therapeutic help.
Drawing on psychoanalytic,
cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal principles, psychotherapy is a body of
knowledge and skill that is central to the training and identity of the future
psychiatrist.
Neurobiological underpinnings are
an exciting new dimension to the "talking cure" and illustrate the close links
between mind and brain, and the impact of psychological intervention on brain
function.
Psychotherapy training facilitates
the learning and management of relationships, including that of supervision,
consultation and mental health administration. It especially focuses on the
doctor-patient relationship and fosters awareness in psychiatrists of their
feelings and reactions to their patients so that ethical dilemmas and
transgressions can be anticipated, analyzed and avoided.
Training is conducted throughout
the years of residency and includes formal seminars, individual and group
supervision, interviewing skills seminars, psychotherapy rounds and workshops,
etc.
Skilled supervision in many
modalities is available: psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural, inter-personal,
group, marital, family and child.
While psychotherapy is practiced
by many non-medical mental health professionals, psychiatrists have a unique
ability to integrate biological, psychological and social understanding of
psychological health and illness and must possess a higher degree of competence
to provide state of the art care and maintain a leadership role in mental
health.
Psychotherapy is an effective
treatment for many mental disorders and is an intrinsic component of psychiatric
practice.
Contact:
Coordinator: Dr. James Ross
Email: james.ross@lhsc.on.ca
Assistant: Amanda Brindley
Phone: 519-685-8500, ext. 57131
Administrative Office: Room B8-117, LHSC-Victoria Hospital
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