Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses, challenging life events and emotional difficulties. Psychotherapy may be conducted in an individual, family, couple, or group setting, and can help both children and adults. When working with children and adolescents, we encourage that parents are actively involved in the therapeutic process. Sessions are typically held once a week for about 50 minutes. Both the client and psychologist need to be actively involved in psychotherapy. The trust and relationship between a client and the psychologist is essential to working effectively. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years), dealing with longstanding and complex issues. The goals of treatment and arrangements for how often and how long to meet are planned jointly by the client and psychologist. Confidentiality is a basic requirement of psychotherapy. Psychologists and other mental health professionals use several types of therapy; including cognitive-behavioural, interpersonal and other kinds of talk/expressive therapy. The choice of therapy type depends on the client’s presenting problem and circumstances and his/her preference. Psychologists may combine elements from different approaches to best meet the needs of the person receiving treatment. Psychotherapy may be used in combination with medication or other therapies. Research shows that most individuals who receive psychotherapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. Psychotherapy has been shown to improve emotions and behaviors and to be linked with positive changes in the brain and body. The benefits also include fewer sick days, less disability, fewer medical problems, and increased school/work/life satisfaction. With the use of brain imaging techniques researchers have been able to see changes in the brain after a person has undergone psychotherapy.