Psychotherapists Near Me

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FAQs:

What is a Psychotherapist?

A psychotherapist uses talk therapy to treat people for emotional problems and mental illnesses. Depending on what degree and specialty they get, psychotherapists can be psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, or social workers. They can work with individuals, couples, groups, or families. Psychotherapists use talk therapy to help you manage general emotional unrest or acute trauma or illness. They treat everything from daily overwhelm to grief to specific mental disorders like depression or anxiety. Sometimes talk therapy is used in combination with medications or lifestyle changes. However, not all psychotherapists are licensed to prescribe medication.

What Do You Mean By Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. Psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase well-being and healing. Problems helped by psychotherapy include difficulties in coping with daily life; the impact of trauma, medical illness, or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental disorders, like depression or anxiety. There are several different types of psychotherapy and some types may work better with certain problems or issues. Psychotherapy may be used in combination with medication or other therapies.

What Exactly Does a Psychotherapist Do?

A psychotherapist or therapist is a trained professional who assists people with various mental health conditions such as stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, addiction, bipolar disorder, negative behavior patterns, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other debilitating feelings. Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy and can help treat challenges and symptoms associated with mental health and emotional conditions by helping a person understand their repressed feelings, hence equipping them to face new challenges both in the present and future. Psychotherapists are nonjudgmental and compassionate. They are specifically trained to carefully listen and analyze the psychological needs of their patients and help them accordingly. Psychotherapy is similar to counseling and the two can overlap. Psychotherapy is deeper and addresses the underlying causes of the problems, as well as helps the person solve them.

Can a Psychotherapist Diagnose?

Whether or not your therapist diagnoses mental health conditions depends on different factors, including both of your preferences. Some clients push for an official diagnosis, and others don’t. And some therapists feel a diagnosis is an important part of the treatment process, while others view putting a name to the symptoms as unnecessary or, in some cases, harmful. Additionally, the type of therapist you see might play a role in whether you receive a diagnosis. For instance, a psychiatrist, a medical doctor trained to assess mental health disorders, may have more confidence in making a diagnosis than a mental health professional with different qualifications.

What is the Difference Between a Psychotherapist and a Psychologist?

The main differences between psychologists and therapists involve their level of education and training, their authority to make mental health diagnoses, and their approach to treatment. Licensed therapists must have, at minimum, a master’s degree in a field related to psychotherapy. Psychologists must have a doctorate-level degree such as a Ph.D. or PsyD. But there is uncertainty about these terms, even among people who practice in these fields. Some psychologists with doctorate-level education will take on the title of therapist or psychotherapist. Some therapists, who typically have master’s-level training in psychotherapy, may refer to themselves as counselors.

What is the Difference Between a Life Coach and a Psychotherapist?

A coach guides clients through developing skill sets to reach a clarified goal within a specific timeframe. Some coaches support clients through any life goals and are broadly referred to as life coaches. On the other hand, therapy—short for psychotherapy—is a clinical-based approach to treating mental health issues that are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. Oftentimes, therapy involves analyzing past experiences that help inform or explain current situations. Therapists are trained to help people who are struggling with mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. They diagnose, assess, and provide treatment for mental disorders. They help clients process and heal from past hurts and trauma. Therapists also help with crisis intervention or grief counseling.

Can Psychotherapists Prescribe Medication?

Most psychotherapists cannot prescribe medication to their patients. Their job duties are to provide psychological treatment and therapy to mental health patients rather than medication. However, they can and often do refer patients to psychiatrists and other licensed medical doctors with a list of suggested medications and typically work closely with these other mental health professionals on developing further treatment options. Some psychotherapists decide to pursue a career in psychiatry, and once they earn their doctoral degree and obtain a license, they may prescribe medication.

Can a Clinical Psychologist Prescribe Medication?

In the vast majority of cases, psychologists cannot prescribe medications to their patients. However, there has been a recent push in several states to grant psychologists prescribing privileges, and there are already a few places where psychologists do have prescribing privileges. Psychologists can prescribe medications anywhere in the military and the Indian Health Service if they are credentialed in Louisiana or New Mexico. Psychologists can prescribe in five states: Louisiana, New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho.

Where do Psychotherapists Work?

A psychotherapist often operates out of private practice. Others may work in hospitals, schools, prisons, mental health clinics, and other medical treatment facilities. All psychotherapists spend the majority of their time observing and interacting with their patients, who have a broad range of behavioral, emotional, and social issues. The job duties of a psychotherapist often involve providing counseling or therapy to their patients in a clinical environment.

What is a Psychologist?

A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes, and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how individuals relate to each other and their environments.

What are the Types of Psychologists?

There are many kinds of psychologists, each with different specialties. The American Psychological Association addresses 56 other areas of expertise, including sub-disciplines within the field of psychology. Before you can call yourself a psychologist, you need a graduate degree (usually a Ph.D.) in psychology and you need to be certified.

1. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Clinical psychologists work with clients who are mentally, emotionally or behaviorally disturbed, including those with severe mental illness. Their work can include diagnostic testing, therapy, research, or the design and implementation of behavior modification programs. 

2. Sports Psychologists

Sports psychologists work with professional and amateur athletes. Some athletes consult with a sports psychologist when they have a problem. Problems include recovery from injuries, anxiousness, or loss of focus, as well as difficulties controlling anger or interacting with teammates. 

3. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Industrial and organizational psychologists are concerned with psychology in the workplace. Areas include productivity and training, applicant screening, research management, and marketing. 

4. Developmental and Social Psychologists

Developmental psychologists study human development throughout one's life, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physiological development. Many developmental psychologists may specialize in one aspect of development, such as early childhood or gerontology. 

5. Neuropsychologists and Cognitive Psychologists

Neuropsychologists specialize in the biological aspects of the brain system, how it works and its relationship to behavior. For example, neuropsychologists can study how the brain stores memories, or the effect of neurological diseases or brain injuries on human behavior, emotions, or perceptions. 

6. Forensic Psychologists

Forensic psychologists work in the legal system and many are also trained in law in addition to psychology. Forensic psychologists are used in a wide range of legal situations.

Reasons to See a Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists use talk therapy to help you work through daily life troubles that include: 

- Resolving relationship problems

- Easing anxiety or stress from work or other situations

- Living with major life changes

- Managing unhealthy reactions

- Coming to terms with a serious health issue

- Recovering from abuse

- Handling sexual problems

- Getting better sleep

Sometimes these daily issues can become bigger challenges. Psychotherapists diagnose and treat most mental health disorders like: 

- Anxiety disorders

- Mood disorders

- Addictions

- Eating disorders

- Personality disorders

If you’re experiencing any of these challenges, you may benefit from psychotherapy. Your psychotherapist will help you resolve these issues and begin feeling better.

What Problems Do Physiotherapists Treat?

Physiotherapists focus on both prevention and rehabilitation. Treatment can be for problems caused by injury, disease, or disability. Here are some examples:

- Neck and back pain caused by problems in the muscles and skeleton

- Problems in the bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments, such as arthritis and the after-effects of amputation

- Lung problems such as asthma

- Disability as a result of heart problems

- Pelvic issues, such as bladder and bowel problems related to childbirth

- Loss of mobility because of trauma to the brain or spine, or due to diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis

- Fatigue, pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of muscle strength, for example during cancer treatment, or palliative care

Do Physiotherapist Techniques Work?

Besides being able to properly identify the signs and symptoms of various injuries, physiotherapists are trained to use a variety of techniques to help their patients get faster, stronger, and move their bodies in new ways. Many of these techniques have been shown to work through rigorous scientific research.

While physiotherapy doesn’t cure injuries, it can help speed up the recovery process and get you back to doing the things you love.

Here are some of the techniques that physiotherapists use.

1. Exercise prescription—This is the process of determining what exercises will help your body recover faster, based on your individual needs. Your physiotherapist will take into account your current level of fitness, your injury, and the exercises you’re able to perform.

2. Stretching and foam rolling—Stretching is important after any activity that causes you to overexert your muscles. It helps to prevent injury by preparing your muscles and tissues for increased activity.

3. Range of motion—This is the measure of how much you can move your different joints in all directions. Your physiotherapist will evaluate how much movement you have in each joint and, based on this, recommend ways to improve your range of motion.

4. Heat and ice—Heating and cooling your muscles may sound like a traditional Chinese medicine remedy, but it’s a physiotherapy technique. By applying heat to your muscles and then soothing them with ice, your therapist can promote blood flow to your muscles and increase their flexibility.

What Should I Expect from Physiotherapy?

Your first appointment will normally be 30 minutes and follow-up appointments are usually 15 – 20 minutes. Your physiotherapist will ask you questions about your injury/problem and how you are feeling generally. Then they will usually examine the affected area. Please remember to bring shorts or a vest top. Your initial appointment will include a thorough examination.

Your physiotherapist will work out a treatment plan with you and there will be time for you to ask any questions. Your Physiotherapist will let you know if you need further appointments.

Everyone’s treatment is individualized depending on what is most appropriate for them and their goals. A significant part of physiotherapy involves exercises, movement modification, and modification of your valued activities. We believe that education about your condition and how to manage it is essential for a good outcome as well as providing you with strategies to self-manage in the future. Alongside these principles, other treatments can be used to help with your recovery. 

Some of the rehabilitation treatments we offer to our pediatric patients include:

- Muscle strengthening exercises and stretching

- Posture and balance training

- Referral to the gym group 

- Movement pattern training

- Support and advice to parents on managing their child’s condition

- Onward referrals where required

Types of Psychotherapy Treatments

Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals use several types of therapy. The choice of therapy type depends on the patient’s particular illness and circumstances and his/her preference. Therapists may combine elements from different approaches to best meet the needs of the person receiving treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people identify and change thinking and behavior patterns that are harmful or ineffective, replacing them with more accurate thoughts and functional behaviors. It can help a person focus on current problems and how to solve them. It often involves practicing new skills in the “real world.” CBT can help treat a variety of disorders, including depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and eating disorders. For example, CBT can help a person with depression recognize and change negative thought patterns or behaviors that are contributing to the depression.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short-term form of treatment. It helps patients understand underlying interpersonal issues that are troublesome, like unresolved grief, changes in social or work roles, conflicts with significant others, and problems relating to others. It can help people learn healthy ways to express emotions and ways to improve communication and how they relate to others. It is most often used to treat depression.

Dialectical behavior therapy is a specific type of CBT that helps regulate emotions. It is often used to treat people with chronic suicidal thoughts and people with borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and PTSD. It teaches new skills to help people take personal responsibility to change unhealthy or disruptive behavior. It involves both individual and group therapy.

Psychodynamic therapy is based on the idea that behavior and mental well-being are influenced by childhood experiences and inappropriate repetitive thoughts or feelings that are unconscious (outside of the person’s awareness). A person works with the therapist to improve self-awareness and to change old patterns so he/she can more fully take charge of his/her life.

Psychoanalysis is a more intensive form of psychodynamic therapy. Sessions are typically conducted three or more times a week.

Supportive therapy uses guidance and encouragement to help patients develop their own resources. It helps build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, strengthen coping mechanisms, and improve social and community functioning. Supportive psychotherapy helps patients deal with issues related to their mental health conditions which in turn affect the rest of their lives.

Additional therapies sometimes used in combination with psychotherapy include:

1. Animal-assisted therapy – working with dogs, horses, or other animals to bring comfort, help with communication, and help cope with trauma

2. Creative arts therapy – use of art, dance, drama, music, and poetry therapies

3. Play therapy – to help children identify and talk about their emotions and feelings

Benefits Of Physiotherapy

There are so many benefits of physiotherapy that it is almost impossible to list them all in one article! Regardless, here are 7 of them that you must know:

1. It helps you recuperate from a sports injury.

Physical therapists are trained to recognize how various sports will raise the risk of such injuries. Such injuries may be stress fractures, especially for distance runners. They will develop effective rehabilitation or preventive exercise plans for you so that you can return to your sport safely.

2. Enhance mobility.

Physiotherapy can help you stand, walk, or move more easily, regardless of your age. Doing some stretching and strengthening exercises will greatly help you to regain your mobility.

3. Reduce or eliminate pain.

There are a few therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy procedures that may help alleviate pain and restore muscle and joint function. Joint and soft tissue mobilization and therapies like ultrasound and electrical stimulation are such treatments.

4. Avoid surgery.

Surgery may not be necessary if physiotherapy helps you eliminate discomfort or recover from an injury. Even if surgery is necessary, pre-surgery physical therapy can be beneficial. In certain cases, if you go into surgery stronger and in better condition, you can heal more quickly. In addition, avoiding surgery lowers healthcare costs.

5. Manage Women’s Health and other conditions.

Pregnancy and post-partum treatment are two of the most common health issues for women. Physiotherapists may provide personalized care for women’s health problems. Bowel incontinence, lymphedema, male pelvic health, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence are all conditions that physiotherapists may help with.

6. Recover from a stroke.

After a stroke, it’s normal to lose some function and movement. Physiotherapy aids in the strengthening of weaker body parts as well as the improvement of gait and balance. They may also help stroke patients transfer and travel about in bed. This allows patients to be more self-sufficient at home. It also reduces the burden of caring for toileting, bathing, dressing, and other everyday activities.

7. Improve your balance and prevent falls.

You will be tested for fall risk before you begin physiotherapy. If you’re at risk of falling, therapists will give you exercises to challenge your balance in a safe and controlled manner, simulating real-life scenarios. Physiotherapists will also support you with balance drills and assistive devices to help you walk more safely. They may perform complex maneuvers to rapidly restore proper vestibular functioning.

The Different Types of Exercises in Physiotherapy

An exercise program at home will almost certainly be part of the treatment plan in physiotherapy. Physiotherapy exercises have been proven to be an extremely important modality in the management of many musculoskeletal conditions.

A detailed and personalized program developed by your physiotherapist will help target the appropriate goals and avoid injuries. This program should include different types of exercises aimed at the deficiencies identified in your specific condition. Also, make sure to use proper physiotherapy exercise parameters (number of sets/repetitions, number of times per day/week, duration, rhythm, resistance level).

Mobility exercises have two objectives: to lubricate joint surfaces and to increase or maintain the range of motion. They consist of repeated movements of a section of the body up to the maximum amplitude of movement.

Stretching exercises are performed to improve flexibility. The objective is to move the origin and insertion of the muscle to stretch it. For these exercises to be effective, you must maintain proper alignment of the body sections involved by correcting compensations. It is also important to exhale properly to help the muscle relax and minimize its resistance. The stretching positions are maintained for a long time and a small number of repetitions.

Strengthening exercises are used to improve strength, endurance, or muscle power. They can target two different types of muscles: mobilizer and stabilizer muscles. Strengthening can be done with no load (freehand) or with weights, elastic bands, pulley systems, your body weight, etc.

Proprioception exercises are useful for those who have a decreased ability to know where their body is in space (position) or how their body moves in space (movement). For example, practicing a single-leg stance with progression will improve the sense of the position of the lower limb. To improve the sense of movement, you could try an exercise where you draw the letters of the alphabet with the body part you are training.

Functional exercises are recommended to practice a movement of your daily life that you are having difficulty with. If indicated, the physiotherapist may ask you to perform a specific movement you do at work, at home, or in your sport.

Cardiovascular exercises, such as stationary bike, walking, running, elliptical, and swimming, are indicated to regain your previous level of effort. Yoga is another activity that trains cardiovascular health, as well as flexibility, strength, mobility, and proprioception.

Tips for Successful Physiotherapy Sessions

While physiotherapy can help speed up the recovery process and get you back to doing the things you love, you need to put in the work too. Here are some tips to help make each physiotherapy session more effective.

1. Listen to your body—If you’re in any pain, you should stop the physiotherapy session immediately. Your body is telling you that something is wrong and you need to take a break.

2. Take your medications—Even if you’re feeling better, you should still take your pain medication as prescribed by your doctor. This will allow you to get the most out of your physical therapy sessions.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—If you don’t understand something during your physiotherapy session or feel like you need more explanation, don’t be afraid to ask your physiotherapist questions. They’re there to help you get better, not to make you feel bad for asking questions.

How Often Should You Get Physiotherapy?

Depending on the nature of your injury, the treatment process, and your response to therapy, your physiotherapist may recommend that you have therapy as often as four times per week. However, most people can comfortably get by seeing their physiotherapist three times per week. The takeaway here is that your therapist will recommend a schedule that’s best for your individual needs which can range between 2-3 times per week, often tapering down to 1-2 times per week as treatment advances. 

Getting the Most Out of Psychotherapy

Take steps to get the most out of your therapy and help make it a success.

1. Make sure you feel comfortable with your therapist. If you don't, look for another therapist with whom you feel more at ease.

Approach therapy as a partnership. Therapy is most effective when you participate actively and share in decision-making. Make sure you and your therapist agree about the major issues and how to tackle them. Together, you can set goals and measure progress over time.

2. Be open and honest. Success depends on the willingness to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to consider new insights, ideas, and ways of doing things. If you're reluctant to talk about certain issues because of painful emotions, embarrassment, or fears about your therapist's reaction, let your therapist know.

3. Stick to your treatment plan. If you feel down or lack motivation, it may be tempting to skip psychotherapy sessions. Doing so can disrupt your progress. Try to attend all sessions and give some thought to what you want to discuss.

4. Don't expect instant results. Working on emotional issues can be painful and may require hard work. You may need several sessions before you begin to see improvement.

5. Do your homework between sessions. If your therapist asks you to document your thoughts in a journal or do other activities outside of your therapy sessions, follow through. These homework assignments can help you apply what you've learned in the therapy sessions to your life.

6. If psychotherapy isn't helping, talk to your therapist. If you don't feel that you're benefiting from therapy after several sessions, talk to your therapist about it. You and your therapist may decide to make some changes or try a different approach that may be more effective.

9 Tips for Finding the Right Therapist

Here are some tried-and-true methods for finding a therapist to help you reach your therapeutic goals.

1. Consult your provider directory 

If you plan to pay for therapy through your insurance plan, your first step might be to look through your plan’s provider network. It’s also a good idea to find out whether your plan limits the number of sessions you can attend each year and whether using an out-of-network therapist will affect your out-of-pocket costs.

2. Ask someone you trust

A referral from a friend, colleague, or doctor you trust is another way to find a therapist who might be a good fit for you. While a referral is a good place to start, it’s important to recognize that you may have different needs and goals with your therapy than the person giving you the recommendation. So, a good match for one of you might not be as beneficial to the other.

3. Use a reliable online database 

Several mental health organizations maintain up-to-date, searchable databases of licensed therapists. Your search could start as simply as typing in your ZIP code to generate a list of counselors in your area. You may also be able to search for specialists, like marriage and family counselors or therapists who focus on drug and alcohol use.

4. Explore local resources

Your community may also have resources to help you. If you’re a student, your school might provide access to a counseling center. If you’re employed, your human resources team might offer a list of therapists available through a workplace wellness or employee assistance program. If you need counseling related to domestic or sexual abuse, you might be able to find a group or individual therapy through a local advocacy organization. If you want your faith to inform your treatment, you might consider reaching out to your church, synagogue, mosque, or another worship center for a list of licensed therapists affiliated with your faith.

5. Reach out to organizations that address your area of concern

If you’re looking for a therapist to help with a specific mental health condition, you might find local therapists through a national association, network, or helpline.

6. Think about your goals ahead of time

What do you want to accomplish in therapy? Studies have found that when you and your therapist both work together toward the same goals, your outlook will be better. If you think some type of medication may help with your symptoms, you’ll want to find a psychiatrist or practitioner who can prescribe medications. If you’ve heard that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy have been effective for others with your condition, you’ll want to look for a therapist with certifications or specialized training in those treatment approaches. Suppose you want to be part of a supportive network of people who understand your experiences. In that case, you may want to consider looking for a therapist who’s involved with support groups or group therapy sessions. Your goals may change as you work with a therapist. It’s OK to talk with your therapist about changing the direction of your treatment plan as your needs evolve.

7. Try an online therapy app

Some people find a digital therapy platform to be more convenient and more affordable than in-person therapy. Weekly sessions range from $35 to $80 for online therapy. At least one study found that people with depression felt that their symptoms improved after online sessions. It’s worth noting, however, that two of the researchers involved with this study were consultants or employees of the digital therapy provider used.

8. Ask questions about the things that matter to you

When you meet your therapist, whether it’s online, on the phone, or in person, it’s not uncommon to completely forget every question you wanted to ask. To make sure you have the information you need to make a good decision, keep paper and a pen, or a notes app, handy for a few days before your meeting. Jot down questions as they come to you.

9. Pay close attention to your responses

No matter how many professional accreditations your therapist has, your feelings of trust and comfort should be your top priority. Will the therapy be uncomfortable from time to time? Possibly. After all, you’ll likely be discussing difficult, personal topics. But if you feel uncomfortable with your therapist for any other reason, it’s all right to look for someone else. You don’t need a reason to switch therapists. It’s enough that you don’t feel comfortable.

Here are a few things to notice as you talk with your therapist:

- Does the therapist interrupt you, or do they listen carefully to what you’re saying?

- Does the therapist respect your time by being prompt to appointments?

- Does the therapist brush off or invalidate your concerns?

- Do you feel seen, heard, and respected during your session?

Sources:

WebMD

Very Well Mind

NHS

Healthline

MedicineNet

PsychCentral

CHRON

Wikipedia

American Psychiatric Association

Mayo Clinic

ZipRecruiter

MBG Mindfulness

Physiogo

EKHUFT

College PT

Freedom

Conseil Sante

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.