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| Why should I consider coming for psychotherapy? |
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| Most people struggle with emotional difficulties
at some time. Getting psychotherapy helps to reduce the length of time that you suffer with
these problems. Also, many people find that as they mature, they identify certain problematic
relationship patterns, with their family, coworkers, friends and partners. Psychotherapy can
help you forge new ways of relating to others and to yourself. |
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| But does therapy work? |
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| Yes. Many decades of scientific research has proven
definitively that psychotherapy is effective in treating emotional difficulties of all types. |
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| Can't I work it out alone? |
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| Perhaps you can. However, if your difficulties have gone on
for more than a month or two, it is likely that you will feel better much faster with psychotherapy.
Also, therapy reduces the chances of your emotional problems becoming long-lasting. |
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| What is a psychologist? |
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| People are often confused about the different types of mental health
professionals. I am a psychologist. Psychologists have a doctoral degree in clinical psychology (not medicine).
Although there are many career paths for psychologists, most of them specialize in providing psychotherapy.
Psychologists have advanced training in assessing, diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.
Since there is so much to know about mental health treatment, many of us have areas of expertise,
as well as certain groups that we do not treat (for example, I do not work with children or teenagers). |
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| What are the other mental health professionals? |
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In a nutshell, here are some other mental health professionals that you might learn about:
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Counselors have a masters degree in psychology (this is a less advanced degree than a psychologist has). |
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Social workers usually have a masters degree in social work. |
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Psychiatrists are trained medical doctors who specialize in mental illness.
Most of them primarily prescribe psychotropic medication and do not do psychotherapy. |
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| What about medications? |
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| For most people, medications are a safe and effective
treatment. Research has shown that medications and psychotherapy are equally effective for many
common problems, so choose which is a better fit for you. However, research has also shown that
psychotherapy, when added to medications, will give you a greater and more lasting improvement. |
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| What concerns should I have about getting mental health care? |
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| You should never go to see anyone who advertises themselves as a
"psychotherapist" and who does not have a license as a mental health professional.
The term "psychotherapist" is not regulated by law, and thus, untrained people can call themselves "psychotherapists" with no
penalty. For your own protection and to obtain appropriate care, insist on being treated by a licensed mental health professional.
The only exception to this is that it is ok to see a psychotherapist who is a student in a graduate training program, and who is
being closely supervised a licensed mental health professional. |
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| What if I have a problem that you don't treat? |
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| Please feel free to call me anyway.
I would be happy to make a referral to someone who can help you. |
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