Find The Right
to help you grow
Find The Right
to help you grow
PSYCHOLOGIST
PSYCHIATRIST
What is the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
Psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist—what’s the difference?? Often times, many people confuse these terms; frequently assuming they’re synonymous. However, they all mean different things, but people in these professions strive for the same outcome: to improve people’s lives.
Psychologists, master’s level therapists, and psychiatrists often work together to collaborate on client care. Because the provider doing therapy with the client will see them longer and more frequently than the medication prescriber, they can often be a helpful source of data regarding symptoms and overall functioning.
How long do I need to be in therapy?
The length of treatment for psychological problems will necessarily vary from one individual to another. Essentially, the treatment (type and duration) should always be matched appropriately to the nature and severity of the person’s presenting difficulties. Acute difficulties usually require fewer treatment sessions than do chronic conditions. Moreover, length of treatment also varies with the type of treatment provided; cognitive behavioral treatments, which focus on a specific problem, are generally briefer than are psychotherapies with a broader focus.
What can I expect in therapy?
Psychotherapy cannot be successful unless you want to be there. Though we believe everyone can benefit from psychotherapy, you can’t heal if you don’t come on your own accord. First and foremost, it’s essential that you not feel trapped into making an appointment. Out of concern and love, parents sometimes force children and teens into therapy before they are ready. The same goes for adults when partners, friends, or relatives pressure them to get into treatment.
Psychotherapy will not fix you. You will fix you. The job of a psychotherapist is to help you help yourself. The goal of psychotherapy is to empower you with ways to deal with life issues, learn the triggers for your depression, and build resiliency, so you can find well-being.
Psychotherapy will not work if you have unrealistic expectations. Setting realistic goals can make psychotherapy a winning experience. Change does not happen overnight. Nor does the development of insight. Hardest of all is replacing old behaviors with new ones. It takes time.
Psychotherapy does not always make you feel better. Making a breakthrough in therapy is always exciting and meaningful. However, achieving awareness sometimes requires you to be brave and fearless. Recalling memories and experiences, or changing a behavioral style, can be trying, upsetting—even overwhelming. Being in therapy will reduce your symptoms and help you feel better, but it’s beneficial to know that the journey can sometimes be bumpy.
Psychotherapy requires you to be comfortable with your therapist. There’s a lot of chemistry in talk therapy. The kind in which you and your therapist click, and you find a sense of ease. Without this connection, it may be difficult to feel comfortable talking about difficult issues and to feel safe letting go of fears or trying out new behaviors. The importance of your therapist’s training should be equally matched with the level of comfort you feel in sessions.
How often do we meet?
People usually are in therapy once a week or every other week, especially if you’re just starting treatment. When you’re just starting treatment, it is encouraged that you do not have too much time lapse between sessions. Even if you’ve been in therapy for some time, it’s better not to go too long between sessions, because it’s harder to make progress that way. Your therapist might also want to see you more often if they believe you’re in serious crisis. If you’re in the midst of a crisis or doing intensive work, you might be going more than once a week.
Is therapy confidential?
Client confidentiality is the requirement that therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and most other mental health professionals protect their client’s privacy by not revealing the contents of therapy. Confidentiality includes not just the contents of therapy, but often the fact that a client is in therapy. For licensed mental health professionals, confidentiality is protected by state laws and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Therapists who break confidentiality can get in trouble with state licensing boards. They can also be sued by their clients in some cases.
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Licensed mental health professionals can break confidentiality in some circumstances. One of the most common scenarios is when a client is a threat to himself/herself or others, in which case a therapist must notify the person in danger or notify someone who can keep the client safe. In these circumstances, therapists often seek hospitalization for their clients.
It is important to note that a therapist will not automatically break confidentiality if a client reports thought about suicide. Typically, a client needs to state intent to act on those thoughts and have a specific suicide plan before hospitalization is considered. An individual will not be hospitalized against their will for simply seeking help.
A therapist may also be required to break client confidentiality if they believe a child or disabled person is being abused.
In rare cases, therapists can be forced to testify against their clients through a subpoena. However, it is much more difficult to force a therapist to testify than it is to force a non-licensed mental health professional. Laws governing therapists are much stricter about confidentiality.