Basic Psychotherapeutic Interview

Definition and Purpose of Psychotherapeutic Interviewing

A psychotherapeutic interview (therapy session) is a professional conversation process that takes place between a client and a therapist trained in the field of mental health. This process aims to address and resolve the client’s emotional or mental difficulties through dialogue. Unlike everyday conversations with friends, a psychotherapeutic session is based on confidentiality, non-judgment, and a scientific approach.

The purpose is to ensure that the client can express themselves in a safe environment, to help them make sense of distressing thoughts and feelings, and to enhance their quality of life. For example, according to the American Psychological Association, psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment method based on the relationship between therapist and client, allowing the client to speak openly about their problems in a non-judgmental and neutral setting.

Generally, the goal of psychotherapy is to alleviate the symptoms experienced by the client, to maintain or improve their daily functioning, and to enhance their overall well-being.

The Structure and Goals of Psychotherapeutic Sessions

Psychotherapeutic interviewing, sometimes referred to as talk therapy, is a face-to-face interaction process that helps individuals explore their emotions and thoughts. In these sessions, the therapist and client work collaboratively on the issues the client brings. The therapist approaches the client with an objective, nonjudgmental, and supportive perspective—listening attentively, asking appropriate questions, and creating space for the client to express themselves.

The core aim of the session is to improve the client’s mental well-being. Within this framework:

• Understanding the Problem: The therapist seeks to deeply understand the symptoms, emotions, and personal history of the client. This information is essential for making an accurate psychological assessment and identifying the issue when needed.

  For example, based on the client’s narrative, it may be evaluated whether there is a condition such as depression or an anxiety disorder.

• Relief and Awareness: The therapeutic session allows the client to explore their inner world. Speaking in a supportive environment can be relieving on its own. The therapist reflects the client’s thoughts and emotions back to them, fostering self-awareness. Over time, the person gains clarity about the roots of their problems and possible coping strategies.

• Change and Growth: Sessions go beyond discussing feelings; they also help the client change negative thought and behavior patterns. In this process, the client develops healthier coping skills and gains new perspectives. Psychotherapy aims to enhance the client’s ability to deal with challenges through jointly set therapeutic goals.

  For instance, a person struggling with severe anxiety in daily life may aim to understand the root of their anxiety and learn coping mechanisms during therapy.

• Education and Information: During sessions, the therapist may provide psychoeducation about the nature of the issue to the client (and if necessary, their family). This helps the client understand what they are going through and what steps they can take.

  For example, a therapist may explain that panic attack symptoms are natural bodily responses, helping the client reframe the experience.

• Collaboration and Recovery: Another goal is to encourage the client to take an active role in the treatment process. The therapist and client develop a treatment plan together, track progress during sessions, and revise goals when needed. This collaboration maintains the client’s motivation and helps them benefit more from therapy.

In short, the ultimate goal of psychotherapeutic interviewing is to reduce emotional distress, help the client access their inner resources more effectively, and make life more fulfilling. This process not only resolves current issues but also equips the client with psychological resilience for future challenges.

General Structure of the Psychotherapeutic Session (Beginning, Middle Process, Termination)

Although the therapy process may vary depending on the client's needs and the therapeutic approach used, most psychotherapeutic sessions can be broadly divided into three stages: the beginning, middle, and termination phases. While different schools of therapy emphasize different aspects of these stages, the overall structure remains similar. Below is an overview of the typical phases of a therapy process:

Beginning Phase (Initial Sessions):

This is the stage where the foundations of the therapeutic relationship are established. During the initial sessions, the therapist and client get to know each other. The therapist listens to the client’s concerns in their own words and explains the framework of the therapy process. For example, in the first session, the therapist introduces their educational background and therapeutic approach, asks about the client’s reasons for seeking therapy and their expectations, gathers information on mental health history, and explains confidentiality.

This first session usually serves as an assessment. While the therapist works to understand the client, the client begins building trust. The therapist might ask open-ended questions like:
“Would you like to share a bit about what brought you here today?”
The goal of the first session is to get to know the client, understand what they expect from therapy, and set general goals together.

The therapist also addresses any concerns the client may have (e.g., “Will I be judged?”, “Will my stories be shared with others?”), reducing anxiety. During the first few sessions, the therapist adopts an empathetic and warm approach to build a sense of comfort and safety. This phase is crucial for establishing a strong therapeutic alliance.

Middle Phase (Working Process):

This is the longest and most active stage of therapy, where the main therapeutic work is done according to the goals set. The client and therapist begin to explore the client’s issues in depth. Throughout the sessions, the client shares recent experiences, emotional changes, and challenges they’ve faced. The therapist listens actively, asks clarifying questions, and provides feedback to help the client make sense of their experiences.

At this stage, techniques specific to different therapeutic approaches may be used, but some common elements are found in nearly all therapies:

• Discussing current issues and therapeutic goals

• Exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

• Identifying recurring patterns

• Developing new coping strategies

• Monitoring progress

As therapy progresses, the therapist highlights connections or patterns in the client’s narrative, helping them gain new insights. For example, a client might not realize how a past experience affects current relationships, and the therapist can point this out. The client may confront difficult emotions—such as sadness or anger when discussing painful memories. The therapist responds empathetically and supports the processing of these feelings in a safe way.

Sample Dialogue:
Client: “I feel really lonely, like no one understands me.”
Therapist: “You’re saying you feel very alone and misunderstood. That must be really difficult for you.”

As seen here, the therapist mirrors the client’s emotion, offering a sense of being understood. Therapists may also help clients reframe thoughts or suggest small homework assignments (e.g., breathing exercises for anxiety). The pace is tailored to the client: some sessions may be deep and intense, while others may be lighter and focused on daily life. What's most important is maintaining the collaborative spirit and ensuring the client feels safe throughout. Each session builds on the previous ones, and the therapist periodically evaluates progress and adjusts the treatment plan if needed.

Final Phase (Termination and Evaluation):

When therapeutic goals have largely been achieved, or the client no longer requires regular sessions, the termination phase begins. This stage involves concluding the therapeutic process in a planned and thoughtful manner. The therapist and client review the journey they have taken together—discussing the progress made and the goals that have been reached.

If there are remaining questions or unresolved minor issues, they are addressed during this period. The therapist reminds the client of the skills they’ve developed during therapy and how to apply them in daily life. Together, they can create a follow-up plan.
For example, if the client learned a specific breathing technique to manage stress, they are encouraged to continue using it after therapy ends.

Final sessions also serve as a space for saying goodbye. If the therapeutic relationship has been long-term, both the therapist and client may experience emotional reactions to the ending—such as gratitude, pride, or mild sadness. The therapist includes these feelings in the conversation and helps the client process the conclusion in a healthy way. The termination process is just as important as the beginning because it prepares the client to continue their path independently. A well-managed termination allows the client to leave therapy with confidence in their insights and coping abilities.

In some cases, the therapist may offer the possibility of returning in the future or schedule a follow-up session if needed. The final session usually involves a summary of what the client has learned and an acknowledgment of their efforts and growth. This allows the client to recognize how far they’ve come and reinforces their sense of self-efficacy. Ending therapy with mutual agreement and preparation also makes it more likely that the client will seek help again in the future if necessary.