What Therapists Do and When to See One

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesReasons to See a TherapistHow to Find a TherapistImpactWhat to ExpectPotential Pitfalls

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Reasons to See a Therapist

How to Find a Therapist

Impact

What to Expect

Potential Pitfalls

Close

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

A therapist is a broad designation that refers to mental health professionals who are trained to provide treatment and rehabilitation. The term is often applied to psychologists, but it can include others who provide a variety of services, including social workers, counselors, life coaches, and many others.

The term “therapist” is not a protected occupational title, but there are many types of therapists who do need to be licensed in order to practice. This includes occupational therapists and marriage and family therapists.

Here is a brief look at types of therapists, what therapists do, and what exactly to expect from your therapist.

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Types of Therapists

There are many different types of therapists. Some of these include:

Therapists can also focus on services that integrate physical and mental health, such as:

Psychotherapists - therapists that exclusively provide mental health treatment - come from diverse disciplines, includingsocial workers,psychologists,psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurses.Many therapists specialize in a particular area of expertise, such as:

Your therapist’s level of education largely depends on the requirements of your mental health facility and state laws. A licensed therapist usually holds at least a master’s degree and has undergone a supervised internship and a state licensure exam.

However, most states allow bachelor’s-level counselors to practice under the supervision of a psychologist orlicensed therapist. Some counselors have training in fields such as addictions or techniques such as art therapy.

No single approach defines a therapist. Therapists may prefer a single school of thought, such asbehaviorismorcognitivism, or may favor a moreeclectic approach, utilizing a few different therapeutic approaches. Many therapists modify their approach to fit the individual client. Therefore, yourtreatment planmay be far different than a friend’s, even if you see the same therapist.

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There are many reasons why you might want to talk to a therapist. Experiencing symptoms related to a mental health condition is one major reason why people decide to see a therapist. Some reasons to talk to a therapist include:

However, it is important to remember that anyone who is experiencing stress or who wants to overcome an issue that might be holding them back can benefit. You don’t need to wait until something is causing you significant distress or interfering with your ability to function to reach out.

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Finding a therapist can be challenging. In order for the partnership to be a success, there must berapport and trustbetween you and your therapist. You will also need to choose a therapist who has experience in the area you would like to work on and who shares your goals with regards to treatment.

A good first step is to ask your insurance company about coverage and to get a list of therapists who are in your network. You can also ask for referrals from your primary care physician or other trusted medical health providers. Friends and family can also offer recommendations, but keep in mind that what is right for your friend may not be right for you.

In addition, theAssociation for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapiesand theAmerican Psychological Associationboth offer online resources to help you find a therapist.

Online therapy companiesalso make it easy to find a therapist and sign up for services. And online therapy directories, which are essentially virtual phonebooks for therapists, can help you search for a therapist near you while also allowing you to filter for what you are looking for, such as a certain therapeutic approach likecognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) oracceptance and commitment therapy(ACT), identities like BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, and populations like children and adolescents.

When you call potential therapists, have a prepared list of questions, including:

It may also be helpful to “interview” a new therapist and, if you don’t click, to try a new one.

Impact of Therapists

A therapist can help people effectively make positive changes in their lives. The impact that a therapist has on your life can depend upon a range of factors, including the severity of your symptoms and the type of treatment that you receive. Some ways that you might benefit from seeing a therapist include:

Just how effective istherapy? Research suggests that psychotherapy can be effective in treating mental health conditions. Compared to medications, psychotherapy has fewer side effects and lower rates of relapse once treatment is stopped.It can also help people develop new coping skills that can promoteresilience.

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It’s normal to have doubts and fears if you have never worked with a therapist before. You may wonder what to expect.

Ultimately, a trip to the therapist is very much like a trip to the doctor.

First, you’ll check in with a receptionist or just sit in the therapist’s waiting area for your appointment and fill out some paperwork, including your medical history (including symptoms and current medications), insurance forms, HIPAA (privacy) forms, therapist-patient services agreement, and a record release form.

During your first visit, your therapist might:

Treatment for Phobias

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the therapist-client relationship simply does not work out. Simple compatibility issues are among themost common reasons for breaking off the therapeutic relationship.

Before you leave, try to work through your issues with the therapist. Sometimes issues such astransference, where you have feelings about your therapist that are actually really about other people in your life, can make you feel like leaving when, in fact, staying is the best choice. Nonetheless, ​"divorcing" your therapist need not be a painful or difficult process.

If compatibility issues are an obstacle or if you feel like the current approach isn’t working, talk to your therapist about seeing a different provider or switching to a different approach.

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3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.What is the difference between psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers?U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Novotney A.The therapist effect.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(2):48.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.What is the difference between psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers?U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Novotney A.The therapist effect.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(2):48.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.What is the difference between psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers?U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Novotney A.The therapist effect.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(2):48.

American Psychological Association.What is the difference between psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Novotney A.The therapist effect.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(2):48.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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