Dreamer_D
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2007
- Messages
- 28,723
As an FYI, anyone can call themselves a "counsellor" or a "therapist", even without any qualifications at all. And there are as many different styles of therapist as their are people out there. So choose wisely. You doctor may or may not actually know someone suitable, depending on his/her experience.
I suggest looking first for someone with a PhD in clinical psychology (only degree allowed to use the term "Psychologist" and only people legally allowed to diagnose, which might be required for insurance, though some medical doctors will diagnose too, though I do not think they should, personally, as they are not trained in psychological diagnosis in the same way that psychologists are). You may also consider someone with a PsyD degree, though I am not sure if they can engage in formal diagnosis (though I think they can, we do not have that degree in Canada). If diagnosis is not required for you insurance or you are not interested in a formal diagnosis (e.g. differentiating depression from anxiety, for example, if one of the tricky parts of diagnosis), then a therapist with an Masters in Councilling or, in some cases, a Master's in Social Work would also be degrees/qualifications that I would recommend, along with suitable referrals and licensing from the appropriate boards for their respective societies.
If you end up pursuing therapy longer term, you may also want to seek out someone trainted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a method that is empirically validated and proven to be very effective. There are other therapeutic approaches, some that have been shown to be very effective for some types of issues but not others (e.g., emotion focused therapy seems to work well for some depression; this is why diagnosis is important!), but most talk therapy has not been shown to be effective from an empirical standpoint -- concrete improvements in people's wellbeing from pre- to post-therapy. That said, most people who seek out therapy report that it is very helpful, so depending on how you look at it, there is something to perhaps gain from any type of therapy, at least from a subjective standpoint.
If you are wondering how I know this and whether I am just making it all up or something, I completed a Master's in Clinical Psychology before switching my area
And good luck. I know this is a scary thing -- it is really hard for anyone to admit to themselves that something is not right and they need to change. But it is a real sign of strength to seek help. You and your family will benefit if you can muster the courage and take the risk of seeking guidance!
I suggest looking first for someone with a PhD in clinical psychology (only degree allowed to use the term "Psychologist" and only people legally allowed to diagnose, which might be required for insurance, though some medical doctors will diagnose too, though I do not think they should, personally, as they are not trained in psychological diagnosis in the same way that psychologists are). You may also consider someone with a PsyD degree, though I am not sure if they can engage in formal diagnosis (though I think they can, we do not have that degree in Canada). If diagnosis is not required for you insurance or you are not interested in a formal diagnosis (e.g. differentiating depression from anxiety, for example, if one of the tricky parts of diagnosis), then a therapist with an Masters in Councilling or, in some cases, a Master's in Social Work would also be degrees/qualifications that I would recommend, along with suitable referrals and licensing from the appropriate boards for their respective societies.
If you end up pursuing therapy longer term, you may also want to seek out someone trainted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a method that is empirically validated and proven to be very effective. There are other therapeutic approaches, some that have been shown to be very effective for some types of issues but not others (e.g., emotion focused therapy seems to work well for some depression; this is why diagnosis is important!), but most talk therapy has not been shown to be effective from an empirical standpoint -- concrete improvements in people's wellbeing from pre- to post-therapy. That said, most people who seek out therapy report that it is very helpful, so depending on how you look at it, there is something to perhaps gain from any type of therapy, at least from a subjective standpoint.
If you are wondering how I know this and whether I am just making it all up or something, I completed a Master's in Clinical Psychology before switching my area
And good luck. I know this is a scary thing -- it is really hard for anyone to admit to themselves that something is not right and they need to change. But it is a real sign of strength to seek help. You and your family will benefit if you can muster the courage and take the risk of seeking guidance!
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