What Is Psychotherapy - and Why You Should Try It

Psychotherapy offers one of the most reliable ways to understand yourself and widen your options around work and love. It can also lessen feelings of isolation, guilt, and anxiety. In this film, The School of Life founder Alain de Botton discusses therapy with The School’s head therapist, Charlotte Fox-Weber. Charlotte explains what therapy is, what happens when you go there and why it might be an idea for you one day to visit a therapist.
The School of Life runs a global online psychotherapy service that assists clients from over 40 countries. To find out more and book a session today, please visit our website: t.ly/xP3EL
FURTHER READING
“In almost all countries and communities around the world, there is one central (usually unvoiced) suspicion that arises whenever someone lets slip that they are ‘having therapy’: they are crazy.
Getting therapeutic help should - ideally - be an ordinary and wholly unsurprising thing, like getting a haircut or going to the dentist, but it remains a very peculiar and frowned-upon recourse. Partly, that’s because the therapeutic industry currently looks deeply unimpressive. Some rather awkward people are employed in it, operating from shabby basement offices, often with dodgy credentials. A rag bag of questionable services gets labeled with this catch-all term. An industry that should be as dominant and financially significant as Audi or Nike struggles for basic recognition. There is plenty of good work being done, but it isn’t overly visible…”
You can read more on this and other subjects here: goo.gl/BszzN6
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CREDITS
Produced in collaboration with:
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www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/... #TheSchoolOfLife

[@christhomas4009]

OMG it's him! The God voice guy!

[@breadordecide]

Seeing a therapist every two weeks is the best decision I ever made. It has improved the way I see myself and all of my relationships. Everyone should do it.

[@willjones2328]

She hit so many strongpoints about depression, anxiety, isolation, etc etc. for me everyday is just 24 hours trying not to kill my self but I fight that feeling to the best of my ability

[@Psybur]

I strongly urge you to contact a suicide prevention hot-line. You are a valuable member of society and are loved and needed by those around you: please, don't give up hope!

[@thaais08]

You guys motivated me to start my graduation in Psychology here in Brazil and also to seek Therapy myself, I was so lost. I am so grateful for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 💖

[@nyamburat2116]

I am happy for you.

[@MartyD]

Thais beautiful

[@LostieTrekieTechie]

If you are a student at a university or college, please look into whether or not your school has a counseling center. Counseling can be very expensive, but your school might provide these services to you for free. I've been going for about two and a half years, it's really helped me figure out my life and deal with major life changes. If you feel like need help, ask for it. Nothing feels better. You get to talk to someone who is literally paid to listen to your problems, and who will challenge you to grow. Good luck!

[@liyuki2553]

Please don't. School therapist typically have little experience or poor job history and those school programs are really set up for minor adjustment issues like a student missing home or feeling lonely. If you are truely sick then seek professional help from someone who can recommend you to an appropriate specialist.

[@musik2201]

In Germany Psychotherapy get payed by our health insurance system 😍

[@Alen1000Pro]

Musik Ganz genau 😀

[@majdaasee8383]

congratulations!!!

[@dancingfishfilms]

as it should be! probably saves money on all sorts of other things so even the money motivated governments should take a look

[@girlx7768]

OH MY GOSH ITS THE VOICES FACE IM SOOOO IN AWE

[@emedepaula]

therapy has been really important to me. i recommend for everyone. if you cant pay for it, seek available help with organizations that do this kind of work. if you're struggling alone, do it before it gets worse (like it happened to me). talk is healing !!

[@AstrOlenna]

Nice to see more faces of The school of life team. You all do amazing work.

[@wse2175]

These videos saved my life. They continue to save my life. I feel so much better than how I was a year ago.

[@olgamarinho]

You could continue with the interviews as a permanent category of videos. This one was really great.

[@whatthef5203]

Alain, I feel better already. I'm glad Charlotte Fox-Weber is not my therapist. We would not accomplish anything because she is way too beautiful for me to tell my problems to. Thank yall very much for everything you do.

[@k4nd17r33]

*"How To Deal With a Crisis Of Meaning"* Top comment by @dangertheledger: _"This video worsened my existential crisis. Thanks."_ *"What Is Psychotherapy - and Why You Should Try It"* School of Life is on point.

[@aBigBadWolf]

Today I learned that Alain is actually Swiss! How nice!

[@zhamilyakussainova3038]

BigBadWolf Swiss with the most British accent😁

[@tsamid6]

It's actually really nice to finally put a face or faces on the school of life.the channel now feels even more human and can relate to it without that often cold virtual screen and images.

[@toothpastehombre]

This was fantastic. Lovely seeing faces of the team involved and some of the inside workings. Your channel and School has become one of my favorites - amazing, fresh and challenging content. Cheers for this more candid vid! Lovely personal touch

[@diegowushu]

I've always wondered what's better: an analyst or a therapist. Maybe the best course of action would be to go see somebody that's both. An "analrapist", if you will.

[@ToxicityOnTheRoads]

Just remember that most of the times, what you hear from people trying to oversimplify problems, especially regarding mental health, is wrong. Therefore a person who has a neutral view of you, who is trained to deal with problems that your friends or parents just aren't qualified enough to help understand them, is so much more suited to aid you in your task to self-improvement, Don't consider stereotypes and always challenge your beliefs if you are in doubt

[@themannestman]

At 1:47 i was like 😮. Mind blown. Wasn't expecting that. Made me watch the whole thing. He wasn't joking when he said we are going to meet someone special.

[@bradywade7123]

Hope everyone has an amazing day. I love you all. 💚😊

[@andrewdyba5959]

love you too(from Ukraine) ;)

[@bradywade7123]

[@Jenkkimie]

Hope you have an amazing day as well. Love you. =)

[@oliviatreip2613]

I love his voice it's so calming

[@thijsjong]

If you are depressed for a long time and you dont know why do bloodwork. I have had a depressed periods for years. Now I know it was largely caused by thyroid a problem (low thyroid hormones). And very low vitamine D. This has also effects on how your brain works. Psychologists and even psychiatrists forget the biological/medical basics and asume a socio psychological problem is the root cause.

[@JLchevz]

thijsjong sometimes your head messes with your body too

[@liyuki2553]

Many will dismiss such things as psychosomatic when there isnt a clear medical explanation. Great example is the recent patient in the news who got diagnosed with schizophrenia when she really had a brain autoimune disorder.

[@chrish6001]

Sometimes, but I know of a few who suggest getting tested before seeking therapy. That's tricky though. Family doctors or General Practitioners may be more guilty of diagnosing depression after a two minute questionnaire, without blood tests, and not understand that the THS is unreliable when they DO order tests. They might not order tests you probably should get. History of the TSH, why it's not a good measurement, issues related on StopTheThyroidMadness.com. Even though medical visits are paid for by government where I live, doctors are giving out lots of depression medication samples as if they're candy. I stopped mine after about a year. Our regional government also doesn't cover all blood tests they probably should for a northern country. I've had to pay out of pocket to go to a Naturopathic Doctor to order more comprehensive blood tests, then pay because they're not covered by government insurance. It turned out I had low iron and recently found very low vitamin D levels. D supplements have made some improvements in energy levels. I discovered thyroiditis on my own, confirmed by doctors. Not on any prescriptions. They wouldn't be covered anyway. Funniest thing was when the GP ordered specific iron tests and I made note of what was ordered. Lab didn't do them. GP never noticed. I learned doctors don't keep copies of the requisition forms. I called lab head office to ask why tests ordered weren't done and lab said they weren't covered under healthcare insurance - unless there was a diagnosis of an iron disorder. I wondered how that was possible if they don't do the tests but didn't get an answer. I asked my doctor if he knew if that happened a lot, but there was no way he could know. Freakin hilarious. I avoid going there unless it's essential. Dr's office physically lost my file before too. Now I keep copies of lab requisition forms, reports, etc. Doesn't mean I remember where I put them, but I know they're here. I'll have to pay if I want to see a therapist, price similar to TSOL. Some specific psychological testing may be available out of town for those who can't work, to see if they're on the autism spectrum or something else. It was difficult to find the info about that. It was on independent advocacy association website, not a government site.

[@smallerthanlife7664]

12:02 "Most people have psychosexual struggles at one time or another. It could just be little dicks or..." This is what I heard the first time. Cracked me up when I replayed it and realized I misheard. ^_^

[@theScorpion87]

"Ultimately everything ends in death" 👍

[@Hardbimbou]

Oh, how I love School of Life and you have given me soooo much highlighting in life! Thank you so much!!!!! You are amazing, SOL!

[@charliem123321]

Loving the content you’re putting out. Thanks!

[@andreacazares2316]

Love you Alain, your work and acts!

[@VCGConstruction]

Psychotherapy never looked so good!

[@faizan5090]

Fantastic. Good to see you guys do a longer video on this.

[@shentanomoroy7361]

Your voice is legendary

[@raulaleman2277]

Thanks for this video. Please, continue to heal the world. Gratz !

[@maddscientist3170]

very well presented, thank you.

[@ShanaTurner3]

Thank you, S. Silent tears hurt so much.

[@itsthatocean]

Okay, new goal, travel to the school of life

[@DonnieDarko1]

Yooo!!! I just discovered this channel and immediately recognize this guy, he's the 'Status Anxiety' guy!!!

[@bulletsfordinner8307]

Wow this was great thanks Alan!

[@saltynebula]

This is AMAZING! you guys open a consultation worldwide!

[@NextLust]

I am really happy with you channel.

[@CarlosRamirez-hu5cl]

Amazing work

[@harrym8756]

Handsome just like I thought you would be 😍

[@daffyyang]

Love you guys so much!!

[@VeNoMmx9]

Lovely to see the School of Life staff and get to know you

[@jamesryantaylor6391]

Go to a silent place where there's not much noise. Then relax your body, then your mind. Most of us will struggle to get our minds unwavering, and that's normal when you're just beginning to learn this way. Do this everyday for few minutes, or you can do it moment to moment. This is what Meditation Really is. To be awake within (Thoughts, emotions) and without (environment), continually. To be present in the present moment, NOW. It will help in everything that you do especially in circumstances that may later cause you Suffering, not only to oneself but for others . When you feel angry, or thinking ill will Thoughts, stop and become aware of them. Breathe and observe them, watch them, and then ask yourself, could this help me and other people to be better? What does this do about Reality? We must be indifferent with them. Not just going along with the flow of our minds, of our thoughts and Emotions. We see many wars in the world. Many conflicts and Hate. This is just the manifestation of what's happening within ourselves. There's a battle, a war with our Conditioned minds. We must rule our mind or it will rule us. Our minds are degenerating because we feed it with many garbage. We always feed it with negativity, with the intent of revenge, intent to harm others. You must comprehend about the law of cause and effect. Every cause, every action has consequences. That's why in Great Religions, they begin with ETHICS. It's about self discipline, to stop doing harmful actions that cause suffering to everyone, and to develop beneficial ones. That's why there are rules and precepts in every Religion. They are all important and necessary, don't reject them. And don't forget that you have a heart also. Our heart is much more intelligent than our intellect. Listen to it! We barely hear it because our minds, our monkey minds seems to be noisy, talking constantly therefore we don't hear what our heart has to say. In everything that you do, do it with your body, heart and mind in alignment Together! And don't let your Consciousness become asleep and trapped by your Ego's, or what in Christianity called Legion. We have Legions of Desires, contradicting thoughts that wants to rule over our kingdom, our body. The only way to overcome these legion is having your Consciousness Awakened. It is to become aware of what's happening within and without you. Learn to self observe and self remember. This will help you a lot. The best simple yet powerful way to do this is by becoming aware of breathing. :)

[@raja.m.wajahat]

and we love your voice dear

[@trheekim]

wow i love her!

[@hiei1567]

Your videos are the cure for cancer.

[@ShaneJoshua1980]

I start my MSc in Gestalt at Metanoia in September.

[@thespiritualpilgrim]

Thank you! :D

[@victoriadaniels4831]

this was such a good video

[@Richby31]

Love your videos sir I learn so much from your videos keep it up and lots of love from India 😇😇😇😇

[@VeroTesta]

Thank you, Alain! =)

[@litjunkie3808]

These new kind of videos are sheer fun...

[@Gerokero]

lovely video

[@Haesslicherblaubarsch]

I've been in therapy for years now and I know my issues, she basically explained the basics here, parents, relationships, idealization, looking for a perfect solution. But I am well aware of my problems, still I can't overcome these issues and emotions. What is the next step, how do I take my knowledge and put it to use?

[@peterfraser2137]

OH< so you're the man behind that understanding voice!

[@cervgiovanni]

It's a great thing to put the voice with a face. May I say, suits it well

[@ft1sesa]

Alan has such a beautiful voice #noHomo

[@AlinaJetigenova]

why when a man compliments another man, he for sure should clarify his sexual orientation?

[@ourochroma]

oh boy I'm Weird I WOULD BE SO GOOD AT THIS!!

[@CC-hc1gg]

can you do a video about family relationships? especially siblings!

[@thehazelnutbar]

Please come to Canada!!!!!

[@mizkayzee]

Love your accent

[@JLchevz]

It took some time but psychotherapy worked great for me

[@marinahmnsilva]

I love your voice

[@motionlessbacon5989]

£100 for 50 minutes D: I guess your clients don't need career coaching too often...

[@iliketofuckwomen1265]

I gotta go to the uk now .

[@Zeno7741]

If she was my therapist my transferences would be through the roof !

[@michellebrennan7045]

LOL!

[@lustrouspinetree9259]

Heck yes!

[@BarisUnver]

I always pictured Alain de Botton as someone with a face similar to John Lennon. Don't know why. (I'm not saying I'm disappointed thogh, LOL.)

[@tervanruth6024]

Man is famous. Why would you picture him?

[@JenDoe1]

Perhaps he was envisioning "the man behind the voice". I did.

[@usenlim]

Indonesia needs one. When will you come to Indonesia?

[@hamzasaleem3897]

I am a medical resident now , and the only specialty I'm heading toward is psychotherapy

[@jp4yu]

Can you do the insidious nature of addictions?

[@EdwardFist]

Coming to Tokyo anytime soon?

[@oddonesout]

Do you have a team in Australia?

[@walterwhite6834]

please can u add french language subtitles to all your videos and thanks so mush!!

[@exposez]

i would like to have hear as my therapist, not only because she was hot, because she seemed nice, like someone you could feel comfortable talking about all your weird issues =)

[@Chillingcomfy]

Just in time

[@JoshuaGraves]

no wonder you where so excited

[@TheRealOtakuEdits]

6:56 Gosh...

[@StephanieLuff]

I thought tabula rasa referred to the idea that we're born with "blank slate"? I've never heard it used in the context of how one behaves as a psychotherapist.

[@xuchia117]

I can't believe I didn't know where this was.

[@JenDoe1]

He reminds me a little of Brian Eno...

[@realrough]

#Joy

[@grachyvenegas8747]

I would be saying: What is Psychotherapy- and Why You Could Try It, using could you are working with "the choice" that Psychotherapy is talking about it.

[@senem345]

I have a question. I have been in psychoanalysis since 2014. I often feel like I want to stop going but my analyst always says things like "there's still some work to be done here" like she would go on forever. It is very expensive and time consuming and I have improved in so many ways. When do you know its time?

[@Bytheewaay]

I've been there. If you feel you shouldn't be there anymore or not that often, talk sincerely about it with your analyst. You can come back whenever you feel you need to. If he/she tries to convince you otherwise, listen to the reasons, consider them, but stay always true to yourself. I get you because everytime I've been there was like breaking up with a S.O lol. The thing is, if you are not really there, even though you still have some work to do, it will be surely pointless.

[@CryptiCEntertainment]

pretzeln when you feel sufficiently happy with where you are in life, I would then leave therapy for a while and see if you do feel better and try to better yourself. If you cannot then you could return.

[@sixteenhiorus]

pretzeln if its not working and you're not finding the same progress before, it's time to move on. Don't be stagnant

[@koja69]

im far from being an expert, but my logic tells me that if you are feeling alright you should stop it and in case you need assistance again you can easily return. maybe you can ask your therapist to explain it to you in more detail why is continuation necessary and you can conclude if that makes sense or not.

[@stormlord121]

pretzeln Hello. I don't know you, your therapist or the reason or reasons you seeked therapy. With that being said, this is YOUR life. Your therapist is there to help you but not decide for you. If YOU think that money is tight right now and you feel good, that's fine. Take a break from therapy. See how you feel, see how the days, weeks go by. You can always go back if you feel like it.

[@TorsteinTheFallen]

You kinda took a dump on your employees saying "anyway, we are going to meet a very special person..." :/ Anyway keep up with good work, channel is awesome. Cheers!

[@Lost_Gemini]

Could you please make a video about ADHD in adult hood? Please!

[@bolivar1789]

Hello Regina! There is an excellent psychology podcast I am addicted to. It is called " Shrink rap radio". There you have a retired, 74 old psychotherapist who always has another therapist as a guest. It is very interesting and enriching. There is an episode called: "Thriving with Adult ADHD with Craig Surman, MD" May be it could be interesting for you. I also wanted to say that indeed we all must work on our quality of focus indeed. Meditation helps a lot too. If you wish, give a try to the guided meditation podcasts from " UCLA Hammer Meditation" from Itunes. Best wishes :- )

[@BrotherWoody1]

In the U. S. at one point, all psychoanalysts had to be licensed as medical doctors & in the practice of psychiatry, is that still the case? Is a psychoanalyst (alla Freud) precisely the same thing as being a licensed psychotherapist? Although licensing is mostly about the elites picking our pockets, psychiatry itself has taken what appears to be a philosophical dead end in that through its insistence on the medical model of "dis-ease" (diagnosis, treatment, cure), it has plumed its conspiracy & complicity with Big Pharma to disappear every symptom of the "psychiatric casualty" including an individual's agency, liberty & responsibility. There are many better talk therapies out there than psychoanalysis that don't rely on "better living through chemistry", invasive technologies or surgery.

[@deathbyASMR]

heyy

[@fadi77fadi77]

I like the therapist's legs

[@williamwallace5533]

Pleaaaaasseee subtitles in Spanish

[@wrarmatei]

I wish that I could afford it.

[@brod2man]

Why have you chosen Psychotherapy as your counselling style over the other forms of therapy? It seems to be the most lengthy. I guess it suits the School of Life's theme of deep exploration of issues. Was it chosen in relation to the philosophy of School of Life?

[@game______on]

She looks like claire underwood

[@Onihikage]

The real video starts at 1:42

[@valhimself2699]

Wait.. Emily Haines? IS that you?

[@felipesantell007]

Oh My! Those legs!!!!

[@leahguillory5681]

What fun! Your tour of your school is such a treat. I live in Houston, Tx. Do you guys accept insurance by the way?

[@UHFStation1]

I was a psych major. Not sure how valuable psychoanalysis is. Maybe normal therapy could afford to be more person, but Freud was very unscientific.

[@ericmol2614]

It's not that psychotherapy does not work. By definition it has to work. But licensed psychotherapy is actually a legal relationship that turns something genuine and loving into something fake, distant and very harmful. It's the ethics where they can't be your friend and that is very serious because if one enters into a re-parenting stage they are not allowed to bond with you emotionally like a friend or a mother which is what you need and when they don't but excommunicate from you instead like they are taught / to force themselves to do something unnatural this could hurt you extremely. It's extremely inhumane yet they have to act extremely inhumane because it's a business and their ethical code dictates that they do so. Even though if a mother does not emotionally bond with her baby then a lot of cases the baby just dies. If this happens to a child the brain gets seriously underdeveloped and the child may act very violent against the parent and siblings and or greatly withdrawn. I have a court case tomorrow about this. It's very evil to treat humans like this. This is extremely inhumane and I'm so sad and greatly regret ever going. About telling your friend your troubles. Feel free to do so. Therapist I have been in contact with have been very manipulative. The therapist in this video says that you can't tell your friend private stuff. Yes you can. She is lying. You can easily get therapy from a loved one. There are books. You do not need a licensed therapist.

[@sylvia6474]

Absolutely sexy voice!