Therapy is not one-size-fits-all, meaning your friend’s therapist may not be the best fit for you and your needs. It is important to read clinician bios as there are many kinds of mental health professionals. Make as many introductory phone calls as necessary to get a feel for the clinician and ensure they are a good fit.
What Is Therapy?
Therapy is a process that invokes the support of a trained mental health professional to help facilitate different techniques to combat various mental health concerns. Often referred to as psychotherapy, therapy is usually depicted as going into an office, laying on a couch, and talking to a therapist who listens and takes notes. While there’s some truth to this, how therapy works is much more complex.
Therapy calls for individuals, couples, or families to dissect and dig into root causes of feelings and behaviors and examine patterns. Benefits of therapy are dependent on what you put into it, but therapy can be very effective (in-person or online) if you are driven and committed. It can leave you feeling empowered, restored, and at peace.
Common Myths About Therapy
Common myths about therapy are that you have to be in a crisis to seek it out, or that therapists will only sit there and continuously ask you “How does that make you feel?”
Common myths about therapy include:
- You have to be “crazy” to seek therapy: therapy is something everyone can benefit from
- Therapy makes you weak: therapy can make you feel vulnerable, but there is so much strength that goes into choosing to discuss whatever issues you’re dealing with
- You need to have mental health problems to seek therapy: you do not need to have a specific diagnosis to seek therapy; therapy is designed to help everyone and anyone
- Therapists only ask how that makes you feel: therapists ask a lot of questions designed to help you think broadly and support a healthy thought pattern
- Therapists will make you go on medications: the choice to begin medication is always your choice and you can not be made to do something you don’t want to; the therapist will support your decisions as long as you are safe.
- Therapists will judge you: therapists have had a lot of training and practice to ensure that patients/clients feel understood and safe
What Kind of Therapist Do I Need?
Knowing whether you need therapy and how to choose a therapist can take time. It is important to read clinician bios as there are many kinds of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and family therapists. You can always make introductory phone calls to ensure they’re a good fit.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who study emotional, behavioral/mental, and developmental health. MDs also study the brain and can assess physical changes or issues in the brain. They complete four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, and four years in residency focused on psychiatry.
Because they are MDs, they can make diagnoses and prescribe medications. They often further specialize in specific diagnoses, and can also make referrals for other providers. In today’s medical system, many psychiatrists do not provide classic therapy sessions so make sure to ask that question if you are primarily seeking therapy services.
Psychologist
Psychologists study emotional and mental/behavioral health and how they impact the way people interact and relate to the world around them. They make diagnoses and complete four years of undergraduate education as well as an additional three to four years of graduate education, including a doctorate. They see individuals, couples, and families and often use psychotherapy as their main approach to address mental health issues. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists in most states cannot prescribe medication. Some psychologists will also perform testing batteries to examine cognitive or personality concerns.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
An LCSW has to complete four years of undergraduate education and two to three years of graduate education with an internship throughout. After graduating with an MSW, they must complete two to three years of supervised clinical work and sit for their licensing exam. They’re often called social workers or therapists who learn about various types of mental health assessments, mental health issues, specific disorders, and techniques for interventions.
They have classes in which they have to role play, understand the history of various issues, and learn how to do proper counseling. They apply what they learn in the classroom in their internships and have to write papers on their work. Many LCSWs go on to get specialization in various types of therapy modalities. LCSWs can be found in many settings such as healthcare, private practice, schools, and legal settings.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapy (LMFT)
An LMFT has to go through four years of education as well as two-three years of graduate school with an internship and licensing process. LMFTs are trained specifically to treat mental health issues in the context of relationships, whether it’s couples counseling or family therapy. These issues include infidelity, separation/divorce, infertility, blended families, remarriage, and dynamics with children.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)/Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
These clinicians provide a variety of mental health interventions for mental health conditions. They also have to go through four years of education as well as two to three years of graduate school with an internship and licensing process. They develop a treatment plan and often work in a variety of settings.
Types of Therapy
Four common types of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and psychodynamic therapy.
Here are details on four common types of therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT works by identifying patterns in thought that contribute to emotional distress, dysfunction and poor behaviors. It helps us change our thought processes to yield better actions, feelings, and behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: DBT involves a mindful approach to addressing negative thoughts and redirecting them through proper emotional regulation. The goal is to help people feel better about managing their negative emotions and learning ways to cope in more healthy ways. There are often specific skills suggested to help in this management.
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing: EMDR works by stimulating the brain’s neural network to process trauma. This is done by directed eye movements, which is a type of bi-lateral stimulation used to help the brain reduce the strong negative feelings associated with a traumatic event.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy aims to understand the unconscious, including someone’s deepest fears, defense mechanisms, and inner conflicts. This kind of therapy is more talk therapy where conversation between therapist and patient helps the patient better understand themselves. Psychoanalysis falls under this category.
Other types of therapy include:
- Play Therapy
- Eclectic Therapy
- Experiential Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Individual vs. Group/Family/Couples Therapy
If you are having issues with your partner or someone else in your family, it’s important to understand where they’re coming from. By trying individual therapy, it may help you understand yourself better and thus understand the context of your issue; however, it’s important to be open to couples and family therapy if needed.
Individual therapy
Individual therapy focuses on the individual patient learning more about their issues and ways to overcome them. In individual therapy, a therapist may engage you in questions as well as discussion to help you uncover more about yourself and your core beliefs. It may also help you deal with specific issues such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When to Choose Couples Therapy
Couples therapy helps couples communicate and connect, regardless of how long they have been together. They help as a facilitator between two people who are having issues feeling heard. Life transitions or specific issues like infidelity can trigger a couple to consider therapy.
When to Choose Family Therapy
Family therapy allows everyone in a family to feel heard and understood in the context of the family dynamic. This therapy helps families uncover issues they did not know of, and bring to light specific issues of one family member that others did not recognize. Each member of the family is tasked to challenge the status quo of the family dynamic.
When to Choose Group Therapy
In group therapy, the therapist is a moderator. The group works together to help one another deal with specific issues, process certain situations, or examine similar life patterns. Groups provide a big network of support. Additionally, being a part of a group can empower individuals, as it ignites a feeling of belonging.
How to Find a Therapist
One great way to find a therapist is by searching an online therapist directory. All licensed therapists are equipped to help people struggling with mental health issues. It is important to read reviews and look at clinician bios to understand the scope of their practice and get an idea about whether their experience suits your situation.
When you’re trying to choose a therapist, many therapists offer a free phone consultation. Another way to locate a therapist is by referral, which can come from a trusted loved one or a physician. Healthcare providers often have access to a network of other providers, too.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering, “What kind of therapy is right for me,” remember that choosing a therapist can be a tough decision, but it is worth the time and effort in the long term. Remember, if you feel it isn’t a right fit, don’t lose hope; try another therapist! There is definitely a mental health professional out there for you.
For Further Reading
What Kind of Therapist Do I Need Infographics
