Psychotherapy is a general term covering various forms of verbal psychological intervention. Solid, in-depth training in the basic principles of general psychology, human learning, social psychology, clinical psychology, abnormal psychology, child development and personality theory are required in order to apply psychotherapeutic treatment methods effectively. Cognitive therapy is a form of treatment which focuses upon the development of new ways of perceiving or thinking about problems as a means of alleviating the symptoms. Behavioral therapy focuses upon the application of certain principles of learning theory in order to create favorable changes. Psychoanalysis involves the application of certain Freudian concepts such as free association, dream interpretation, the unconscious, resistance and transference as a method of treatment.
Psychotropic medication is a treatment method favored by many psychiatrists.
Medications are sometimes used as the only form of treatment by psychiatrists. Some of these tranquilizers and anti-depressants have become the most widely prescribed of all medications and are enormously profitable for the pharmaceutical industry. Recently new laws have been passed which allow the pharmaceutical industry to advertise prescription drugs directly to the consumer. They are sometimes overused, or used inappropriately because of the heavy advertising and because people may regard them as an easy way to solve their personal problems. Although many popular books have been written about specific forms of psychotherapy, surveys show that very few psychologists or other mental health professionals follow a singular method of psychotherapeutic treatment.