Phychiatrist, psychologists, or counselor?

Question:

I would like to iron out some thoughts. Who would I go to? What's the difference?

Answers:
A psychiatrist has been to medical school and specializes in mental health. They can prescribe meds. A psychologist usually has a doctorate (phd.) which involves about 4 years schooling after the bachelor's degree, but they are not medical doctors. A counselor usually has a master's degree and has been in school for about 2-3 years after the bachelor's degree. I agree.try the counselor first. They all deal with mental health, but from slightly different perspectives. Actually, the psycholgist and counselor may do very similar things in session. By the way, if you don't like your counselor, just try another. It has to be a good fit.

Other Answers:
Psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
Psychologists, cannot.
Try out the counselor first.

counsellor.
Psychiatrist, treats mental illness.
psychologists, a scientist and/or clinician who studies psychology.
counsellor, trying to help u find ans in ur life.

Psychiatrists usually just prescribe medications. They are medical doctors first and foremost. Some however do specialize and do therapy especially in areas of mental health that are less common and more severe. My ex is a dissociative identity disorder and has received most of his help from a psychiatrist even though he's not on meds since his diagnosis was changed. :(Most of his life he was misdiagnosed and on meds for schizophrenia.) Severe childhood abuse and resulting dissociative disorders or DID is very a very specialized area. Not just anyone can work with someone who is DID, in fact many well meaning counselors have made things worse for someone with this disorder.

Psychologists are often only trained in testing and measurement. (Such as school psychologists who test and place children in programs for learning disabled or developmentally disabled.) You have to ask what their background and experience is to know if they have experience in therapy or counseling. Some only do research.

Counselors can be very good, but again it depends on what they are used to working with. I've found many who just want to chat and really aren't that helpful if you need to uncover and deal with deepseated problems like childhood abuse or PTSD. Again, you have to ask them if they have experience and are comfortable dealing in that area. Most have master's degrees in social work or some similar area and then are licensed by the state after testing and years of supervision.

Ultimately, it depends on how deep your problems go and the working experience of the person you seek help from. If you want to iron out some thoughts you can go to a counselor.

Research shows that what works is a good fit between the counselor and the client. So if you don't feel the ability to be open and feel safe within a few sessions then find another counselor. If the counselor or your primary care provider feels you need a psychologist or psychiatrist they should tell you. If you need medication the counselor should be able to tell and discuss your best option (primary care provider or psychiatrist).

There are some psychiatrists who do mental health therapy but many now days just do psychopharmacology (mental health drugs). Counselors can listen to your problems and help you sort through them, as can a psychologist.

Some psychologists only do research and others do testing or therapy or a combination of this.

Ask your primary care provider if they have heard of someone who is good with your age group and type of problem. Your doctor (primary care provider) is a good resource for this and has to protect your privacy unless you are under 13 years of age (I think 13 is the cut off but ask your doctor).

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Phychiatrist, psychologists, or counselor?

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