I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts with regard to the differences between therapists & psychologists in terms of the effectiveness of their treatment styles & strategies. Most of the therapists I see listed, whenever I look through various listings, are trained as social workers. I may see an occasional psychologist. But, unfortunately, they never seem to be located in an area I can get to since I'd have to take the bus.

I'd have to say that, in the past, I've had both at different times. And I can't say that one was any better than the other. Currently I don't have a T at all. But I keep thinking that if I could find a really competent psychologist, maybe a neuropsychologist, perhaps I'd have a better experience than I've had in the past. There's no doubt I could use the help! Thanks

A psychologist is a therapist with usually a PhD. I've found the quality of therapy isn't really related to the level of degree for the most part, although I do find my psychologist to have a broader range of training than the therapists I saw with different degrees. They were still very good, but there is difference in approaches in my personal experience.

[brillskep]

I don't know what to tell you but it's an interesting discussion. In my country, most therapists are psychologists, and it's a longer and more elaborate process to become a therapist than it is to become a psychologist.

[unaluna]

I would try to get a referral to a gladd therapist. Or just check their websites to see if they mention it. You would want someone knowledgable and experienced in your field? It just might make things easier than having to educate a newbie. I remember telling my first t (at uni) that i felt like a neuter. This was in the mid-70's. He pretty much argued with me. Now its an entry on freakin facebook?! Obviously i was ahead of my time.

[Travelinglady]

"Therapists" can be social workers or psychologists or psychological associates. The types of psychologists who do therapy have Ph.D.'s, Psy.D.'s, or perhaps M.A.'s. (Although in the U.S. people have to have a doctorate to be called a "psychologist.")

I don't think there is much difference in the quality of the therapy they do. I prefer social workers because of my bias that they tend to be more down to earth.

[Rive.]

Therapist is more of an 'umbrella' term really, whereas Psychologists have more training/expertise generally. I think what might help best is to look for someone's credentials re experience in your field (i.e. your needs) and their area of specialty, practical and theoretical. IMO psychologists would have more field experience/training and might be preferable.

Still, I would advise to interview a bunch of them (both social workers & psychologists), either by phone or initial meeting & 'grill them' re your concerns & questions, how they propose to help and so on. This way, you can see their attitudes already and if not competent, knowledgeable or prejudiced, you can weed them out early on. This would hopefully avoid further heartache down the road.

I truly hope you finally find someone who'd stand by you and give you the support you need.

[sweepy62]

T2 which I love and miss dearly was a family and marriage therapist , when she left she said she was going to leave me in the best qualified hands possible. A clinical psychologist and art therapist and she did make the best choice. Her therapeutic approach is way different and I notice her expertise .

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[Crescent Moon]

Clinical psychologists are also therapists... so the term therapist includes lots of different credentials/licenses. But in my opinion, it's not the credential/license that matters. It's whether the therapist and client 'click' - whether the client feels the therapist 'gets' them.

[waxnwane]

Interesting. Apparently, my thinking on this has been completely wrong. I've never had luck with any therapist I've ever seen and attributed it to their lack of a specific degree or specialty. My assumption was that a social worker would never be able to help me and that I needed a 'specialist' in PTSD who was an actual 'doctor' of psychology. On paper I finally found 'the one' but after three months of seeing her the only thing I know differently now than before is that she added another diagnosis to my PTSD. I'm still sitting here three months later wondering when we are going to start therapy but am not experienced enough to know if this feeling is coming from my lack of experience with 'doctors' and that chatting about our lives is her special technique to create a trusting relationship or if I should have moved on a month ago. I know a lot about my therapist, which isn't the norm, so I'm not sure that a degree or speciality or years of experience matters at this point. I'm trying to be patient but so far I don't see anything different with her than I did with anyone else.