Attitudes to and knowledge of psychotherapy

Abstract

This study examined the Maltese public 'attitudes and knowledge of psychotherapy'. In this study a quantitative approach was used and ninety four people completed a modified version of the questionnaire used in a study carried out by Furnham and Wardley (1990). Overall, the results in this study indicate that the Maltese public acknowledges the benefits of psychotherapy in a realistic way. However, it seems to be unable to regard professional psychological treatment as the best choice in times of psychological distress. Furthermore, the public is uniformed about the techniques and processes involved in psychotherapy. The results show that it is very important to educate the Maltese public about psychotherapeutic help in order for it to be able to seek and utilize psychological treatment in a proper way. This information may encourage psychotherapists to elicit Maltese client鈥焥 beliefs early in the therapy process to minimise the effect on the process and outcome of therapy.