WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Psychotherapy consists of sessions with a highly trained professional to help clients with life’s challenges. Whether a long or short term issue, these challenges can become debilitating and professional help becomes necessary. Working with a therapist can help patients deal with a variety of mental health issues, such as dealing with a serious illness, relationship issues, substance abuse, job loss, grief, anxiety, and depression.

Many different types of professionals conduct therapy. Such individuals include clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses. Both clinical psychologists and LCSW’s typically work closely with psychologists, psychiatrists, and other doctors to help their clients get the treatments and prescriptions they need. Other types of therapists do not have the extensive training that is required for a clinical psychologist or an LCSW.

Clinical psychologists hold a PsyD or PhD in psychology. Psychologists typically receive one of the highest levels of education of all health care professionals, spending an average of seven years in education and training after they receive their undergraduate degrees. Psychologists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people develop healthier, more effective habits. A psychologist diagnoses and treats mental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Psychologists help by using a variety of techniques based on the best available research and considering their client’s unique values, characteristics, goals, and circumstances.

A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) is a part of the mental health counseling branch of social work and receives a significant degree of training. Social workers attend graduate school in social work, and training typically includes two years of coursework and two-three years of supervised clinical work. This type of provider must adhere to high standards regarding ethics and confidentiality. They are trained to provide direct therapy in a clinical setting. They are able to use research-based approaches to treatment, and are able to assess and make clinical evaluations of a client’s mental health, as well as diagnose mental illness.

There are several approaches to psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal and other kinds of talk therapy. Many therapists combine elements from several styles of psychotherapy to customize a treatment plan for each individual client. One important factor in choosing a therapist is whether the individual provider has expertise in the area that a client needs help with. Potential clients should also assess the therapist’s qualifications, including the type of degree he or she holds and years of experience. Probably the most important factor in choosing a therapist is the level of confidence and comfort in the therapist.