Some terms get used interchangeably by many people when discussing therapy. However, each of these terms indicates different things. These terms are psychotherapist and therapist. While both of these fields are charged with providing mental health support and services, they do so in different ways. Psychotherapist refers to counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical psychologists. Therapists, on the other hand, provide professional therapy solutions in the area of physical and mental health.
Exploring Therapist’s and Psychotherapist’s Differences
We’ll start our exploration with therapists. This profession covers a lot of different specialties. As a result, the term therapist covers those who work with patients to address various patient issues, concerns, and categories. Let’s explore a few of these specialists:
- Marriage and Family Therapists – This specialty focuses on managing interpersonal relationships. They provide patients with the communication skills necessary to express themselves and their emotions clearly and openly. This starts with doing so in the safe environment of therapy sessions.
- Mental Health Counselors – These specialists work closely with those battling behavior, and mental issues. The forms of treatment provided vary on the struggles of the individual patient.
- Occupational Therapists – These specialists primarily focus on those with disabilities and injuries. The process they use helps improve skills impacted by the patient’s disability. They stick with the patient throughout the recovery process.
- Physical Therapist – This form of therapist focuses less on the mental health concerns of the patient and more on the physical challenges they face. They work with these individuals to help recover from injuries by restoring strength and mobility through rehabilitation.
Psychotherapists receive much of the same training that a psychologist does. There are licensing requirements, training, and additional degrees. While these specialists cannot prescribe medication, they can determine if the therapist should send the patient to a psychiatrist. The primary approach that psychotherapists take is to approach the patient from a “whole picture” approach. This requires them to learn about the patient’s upbringing, underlying conditions, and environment.
It’s common for these specialists to have training in a variety of fields. Common examples include mental health counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy. When working with psychotherapists, patients often meet with them once or twice weekly. Therapy can take from months to years to complete, and many patients continue to work with their psychotherapists to help maintain their progress.
Contact Your Mental Health Specialist For More
Additional questions about mental health specialists can be directed to your provider. They’ll be able to sit with you and explain how the specialties vary. Through this process, they’ll help you determine what kind of treatment will work best for you. Mental health professionals are available in various fields and help a diverse patient population address the concerns they struggle with. Good mental health is necessary to live a whole and fulfilling life. Those who struggle with mental health concerns can achieve this goal with the help of a qualified specialist. Start your journey to improve your mental health today with a consultation!
