What is psychotherapy and does it work? 

To answer this question I studied some responses given by clients in psychotherapy and mixed them together to create a single response;

Psychotherapy can be a challenging experience, but it can also be an incredible life-changing experience. Therapy provides a safe space where difficult emotions and experiences can be contained instead of leading to destructive behaviours. For many people, t is a valuable experience when life becomes overwhelming and confusing, providing support and guidance. A place to work through and understand complicated situations. Some find psychotherapy revelatory it can provide new angles on life. The act of confiding your private thoughts to a psychotherapist can help you accept who you are and the amazing thing is you can say absolutely anything you like; things you would never dream of saying to your friends.
Through psychotherapy thoughts, emotions and experiences are looked at and explored over time. Taking complex experiences as they are and watching them gradually reveals the underlying principles at work. Then by applying that principle in novel ways, a different situation is produced.