What Are A Psychotherapist And How Do They Help People Cope With Mental Health Conditions?
Psychotherapy and counselling go by many different names. They are all interpersonal forms of treatment that seek to address problems that have a major impact on a person’s ability to live an active life. It may be as simple as helping the client to manage depression, or it might involve more complex issues like alcohol or drug dependency. However, they all have in common the desire to assist clients achieve their potential in areas where they are weak or struggling. In this article, we’ll take a quick look at some of the most common types of psychotherapy and counselling available today.
Many psychologists fall under the clinical classification of psychology. This means that they specialize in the treatment of mental disorders and the learning of how to cope with them. Psychotherapists are considered qualified therapists when they have successfully treated at least one patient with a mental disorder over the course of two years. Some psychiatrists choose to expand their practice and offer counselling and psychiatric treatment outside of the clinical setting, but most psychology experts stick to the traditional psychotherapy model. Clients seeking this form of treatment should consult a psychologist who has expertise in the field.
The other type of psychologist working in the field today is known as a counselling psychologist or psychotherapist. Unlike clinical psychology, psychotherapists do not perform medical assessments or prescribe medication. Instead, they offer a wide range of general therapies, including social skills training and group discussions to help clients manage depression, anxiety and stress. Many psychologists are trained in social and cognitive behaviour therapy to enhance client satisfaction and prevent relapse.
The most popular psychotherapy method used today is cognitive behavioral therapy. This approach addresses issues related to distorted thoughts and beliefs. For example, it can help clients realise that certain thoughts about themselves, others and things are actually irrational. Cognitive behavioural therapy was developed by two Canadian psychiatrists, yet it can be adapted from other successful strategies. A combination of techniques have been proven to be effective.
Psychotherapists can either specialize in one particular area of psychology or a whole field known as psychotherapy. In Canada, there are three main professional organizations. They are the Association for Psychotherapy and Counseling, the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychotherapist Association of Canada (or CPA). All three have members who are considered psychologists. A psychologist can also be called upon to give individual consultations or provide educational advice in a variety of psychological areas. The umbrella term ‘psychotherapy’ refers to all the methods of mental health care, a psychologist provides.
An example of psychotherapy methods would include cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, counselling and psychotherapy. In recent years, alternative forms of therapy such as yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis and meditation have also been recognized as being part of the field of psychology. Nowadays, the term psychotherapist is commonly used to describe any therapist who provides counselling and advice in the form of both standard and alternative treatments.
Psychotherapists can become licensed in either a specific area of psychology or in any of the three specializations available in Canada. These include: Clinical Psychotherapist, Marriage and Family therapist, and Industrial or Counseling Psychotherapist. All psychotherapists must be licensed before they can practice. Some states recognize a Psychotherapist License that is in addition to a psychologist’s license. However, most states allow psychotherapists to be just a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Psychotherapist helps people cope with mental health conditions by providing cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT. This type of therapy helps patients identify negative thoughts and alter their behaviour so they can feel better about themselves and stop suffering from depression or anxiety. With the help of a psychotherapist, people may find that the cause of their depression or anxiety is not as severe as they thought and begin to feel better. Psychotherapy for mental health conditions like depression or anxiety is an effective treatment option and a promising career for a qualified psychotherapist.