If there is anyone in your house who is suffering from mental health problems, you should immediately consult with a therapist to treat the issue before it soars out of control. In case your marriage, your child or your life is suffering, the task of meeting and getting help of a therapist can seem to be daunting. But at the same time, it is necessary that you take proactive steps. Once you think of finding a therapist, you will have to drown yourself in the alphabet soup of PsyDs, PhDs, MSs and MSWs apart from the labels of psychologist, psychiatrist, family and marriage therapist, social worker, licensed professional and family counselor. Obviously, this can be very confusing for first time searchers. So, what can you do?
You can browse this counselor directory to get a list of the best counselors in your area who can help you get back on track mentally. That said, we’re going to take a look at the different types of counselors available to you. Though it is true that all the therapists offer different kinds of mental health services, each of them bring a separate set of experience, training, character and insights to the table. How can you find out which therapist will meet your needs? Below is a short summary of which therapist you should choose.
PSYCHIATRISTS
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in the treatment and diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses and they have the license and medical training to prescribe drugs. The psychiatrists are also trained people in talk therapy, psychotherapy which has the goal of changing the thought patterns and behavior of a person.
PSYCHOLOGISTS
When you name psychologists, they are doctoral degree holders in psychology. They usually deal with studying the human behavior, human mind and are also trained in psychotherapy, counseling and psychological testing which helps in uncovering all sorts of emotional issues which you may not even realize. The main treatment tool of a psychologist is cognitive behavioral therapy through which they identify and change the perceptions of the individuals. Nevertheless, if needed, they can also refer you to a psychiatrist.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS
These are counselors who are required by the state licensure laws to have even a master’s degree in counseling. They are either certified or licensed to diagnose and treat mental health illnesses independently so as to help in curing different sorts of mental health disorders. The American Mental Health Counselors Association is certainly the biggest organization for counselors. They help in treating an array of problems like addiction, depression, suicide, substance abuse or stress management.
So, if you’re waiting to perform the daunting task of hiring a therapist or a counselor, you can take into account the above listed types of therapists and counselors who can help you deal with such issues.
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