[pinkvilla]

I have been to both. I find therapist discuss just like what a friend would do. But on the other hand,psychologist gives an indepth analysis of why I'm feeling it and the root of it. I donot understand why everyone says to go to see a therapist who just doles out a friendly chat. Does anyone else feel like this. I am not being negative but trying to understand why . I've been to a couple of therapists and hence it is not an issue of finding the right one. I'm so disappointed in what they provide as solutions and explanations.

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

To me, therapist is the overall word for anything talk therapy related. So psychologist, psychiatrist (if they do talk therapy and not just meds, and these 500 different credentials one can get otherwise.

To me, counselors were the only ones that couldn't effectively help me, since they are there more to guide you than to actually fix difficult mental health problems.

With my T, a psychiatrist, I never had that issue. But I'm pretty sure that some counselors would be able to help me, and some psychiatrists would not. Although you say that it's not an issue of finding the right one, it still is. For some people 90% of therapists might be useful, for some only 20% or less. Each therapist has a different way of talking, some might click well with you, some may not.

[zoiecat]

I think it depends on the therapist or the psychologist. I too have been to both and my psychologist was more like a friend I knew everything about her family my therapist on the other hand has good boundaries I know very little about him and he is help me a thousand times more than the psychologist ever could have.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by ChickenNoodleSoup

To me, therapist is the overall word for anything talk therapy related. So psychologist, psychiatrist (if they do talk therapy and not just meds, and these 500 different credentials one can get otherwise.

To me, counselors were the only ones that couldn't effectively help me, since they are there more to guide you than to actually fix difficult mental health problems.

With my T, a psychiatrist, I never had that issue. But I'm pretty sure that some counselors would be able to help me, and some psychiatrists would not. Although you say that it's not an issue of finding the right one, it still is. For some people 90% of therapists might be useful, for some only 20% or less. Each therapist has a different way of talking, some might click well with you, some may not.

I also just use "therapist" as a general term. My ex-T was a social worker (LCSW) and my marriage counselor and my current T are both psychologists (PhD), and I think of them all as "therapists." In terms of their approach to working with clients, much of it comes down to personal style and what modalities they use. Both MC and current T are psychologists, as I mentioned, but both have very different therapy styles.

I agree that it's not so much about their degree or title, but whether they're a good fit, whether they, as ChickenNoodleSoup said, "click well with you." One way to approach this is, if you're thinking of trying out a new therapist, either in an initial phone call (some offer free phone consultations) or the first appointment, tell them what you're looking for in a therapist and see if they seem to "match."

Another helpful way to see how they might fit is to look through Psychology Today profiles in their Find a Therapist section. Many of the profiles also link to their websites, so you can see how they present themselves. Of course, it often comes down to meeting them to really know if they're a good fit, but I've certainly crossed some options off the list just by seeing their profiles.

[maybeblue]

As other people have said, "therapist" is a general term. In order to call yourself a "psychologist" in most states you have to have either a PhD or a PsyD in psychology and be licensed. LCSW means "licensed clinical social worker" which is a 2-2.5 year master's program followed by another two years of supervised practice. Another common license someplaces is a LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist" "Counselor" is another generic term. Licenses for counselors varies by state...sometimes they are called "licensed mental health counselors," etc. In some places you can call yourself a "therapist" or a "counselor" without any license at all. Insurance won't pay without a license, but often there aren't laws to keep them from self-pay practice.

[MRT6211]

I’ve had varying degrees of good and bad with both psychologists and therapists. I did have one psychologist do a lot of damage to me, though. My current therapist has helped me fix that damage/has been very solutions-focused and I like it.

[Wonderfalls]

Also licensed professional counselors (LPC) and psychiatrist nurses, who can also prescribe non-scheduled drugs. I've read that PsyD's are more into therapy while PhD psychologists are research-oriented. The only psychologists my insurance would pay for are associated with academic medical schools and don't take patients. My ideal is what I had: a psychiatrist heavily invested in therapeutic treatment as well as drugs. Most of them nowadays are strictly into psychopharmacology which pays much better plus you don't have to deal with messy personal situations (Go medical school!)

I haven't had much other experience--I would love to try a psychologist--but it seems like social workers are more into giving you (possibly annoying) advice.