The benefits of talk therapy are numerous.  The process of talking with a trained professional allows the patient to discuss issues that may be too difficult or painful to discuss even with family or friends that are genuinely concerned.  How often in life do we casually mention to a friend that we are tired from only sleeping for three hours the night before, and that person’s automatic reply is, “Oh yeah, well I only slept for one hour!”  Having the full attention of that non-judgmental presence of your personal psychoanalyst creates that free space where you can open up and say anything and everything that comes to mind.  This is the process known as free association. 
There are many studies out there that offer strong empirically based evidence that talking alone actually changes brain chemistry, just like medications do, but without having to manipulate your mind chemically.  Talking in and of itself has proven to be an effective measure of treatment for depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia.  Through talk therapy it becomes possible to identify trends in one’s thinking patterns and consequent behavior patterns.  The power and effectiveness of talk therapy is accomplished by exploring emotions, examining avoidances, identifying recurring patterns, discussing past experience, focusing on relationships, and examining the patient / doctor relationship.  Talk therapy can alleviate difficulties in relationships, at work, and can increase self-esteem.
A common and useful example of this is people often tell Dr. D’Uva that they feel as if they date the same person, just with a different name.  It becomes helpful then for the doctor to guide the patient through the process of building bridges between thoughts to figure out (for example) why some people feel they end up romantically with individuals who resemble in personality or physically their previous partners.  The result for the patient is beginning to understand why they gravitate towards a particular type of person, place, or situation.

 

Come try talking with Dr. D’Uva as you may be surprised as to what you learn about yourself!