What is a Therapist? Types, Job, Impact

People nowadays are realizing the significance of mental health in our lives, and they consider psychological issues a serious problem. Psychologists and therapists are the specialized experts that deal with mental health issues. Today, we’ll discuss what is a therapist; its job details, types, impact, expectation, and drawbacks.

What is a Therapist?

A therapist is a mental health licensed professional who specialized in offering rehabilitation and therapeutic treatment. The other synonymous term for it is psychologist, and they offer a wide range of services like life coaching, counselors, social workers, and others. They have the expertise of lowering mental issues, developing better emotional and cognitive skills, and helping you deal with other challenges of life.

When we use the term therapist, it’s not a professional title. There are different types of psychotherapists, and it’s mandatory for them to have the license to treat patients. However, it comprises family therapists, marriage, and professional therapists. The therapist plays a significant role in dealing with mental health issues.

Job of Therapists 

Therapists work closely with psychological patients and help them treat their mental issues. Some of the services they offer are as follows;

• Actively listening
• Studying and analyzing the current issues
• Making the clients comfortable
• Assisting patients without any biased friends/family members
• Diagnosing the exact underlying cause of mental illness
• Assisting patients to deal with the symptoms of mental issues
• Helping patients to change their thinking pattern and maladaptive attitude and behavior
• Assisting clients to comprehend themselves and others
• Teaching communication, cognitive, and emotional skill
• Teaching people to resolve their professional, relational, and emotional conflicts
• Help them to process their difficult thoughts like a suicidal, abusive, breakup, sexual assault, infidelity, trauma, and grief
• Guiding them to establish a new relationship and improving the current one
• Convincing clients to develop the habit of meditating, deep breathing, thinking exercises, and much more
• Provides suggestions and advice
• If it comes to it, then referring them to a medical professional or psychiatrist facility
• Lowering the shame of therapy or mental illness

Types of Therapists 

Some of the main types of therapists are as follows;

• Yoga therapists
• Psychotherapists
• Physical therapists
• Occupational and professional therapists
• Music therapists
• Family and marriage therapists
• Massage therapists
• Child therapists
• Art therapists
• Addiction therapists

Therapists are from different fields, some of the main fields and areas are as follows;

• Substance abuse
• Rehabilitation
• Career and schools
• Mental health community
• Behavioral disorder

Specialization in any field requires certification and proper training. Different countries have different requirements for therapists to practice various treatments. Therapists practice different types of approaches and therapies like eclectic, cognitive, or behaviorism. They modify and upgrade their approaches in order to meet the needs and requirements of customers.

Psychologist vs. Counselor vs. Therapist vs. Psychiatrists 

Often people use the terms therapists, counselors, and psychologists interchangeably. They all refer to the professional expert that deals with mental health professionals. However, there are various connotations associated with the term dealing with the patients.

For instance, the therapist implies that the professional deals with clients and resolves their mental issues. The psychologist is for those professionals that do the research work. However, some professionals prefer to call themselves psychologists, it doesn’t mean that their work is different from therapists.

On the other hand, psychiatrists are trained mental health physicians that have the license to prescribe medicines. They also offer the services of therapies. There is no valid evidence to support the fact the services of psychiatrists are different than other counselors, psychologists, and therapists.

Why See a Therapist 

People see therapists for various reasons whenever they’re facing any of the symptoms of mental health issues. Some of the main reasons are as follows;

• Trauma
• Self-harming and suicidal thoughts
• Alcoholic and substance issues
• Stress
• Social issues
• Relationship issues
• Gender identity and sexuality questions
• Trouble sleeping
• Dealing with chronic pain
• Negative thoughts
• Low self-esteem
• Grief
• Worthlessness feelings
• Loneliness
• Symptoms of eating disorder
• Going through life-changing circumstances
• Depression
• Behavioral issues
• Anxiety and stress

Finding a Therapist 

It’s difficult to find a good trustworthy psychotherapist. In order to make the treatment work, the patients and therapists both have a trusting and friendly relationship. You should choose therapists that work in your area, understand your predicament, and willing to work on your goals and objectives of the treatment.

Your insurance company would refer a number of psychotherapists in your area. Before making any decision, you should check out the referrals and recommendations of friends and family members. While doing so, it’s important to mention it here that what worked for them may not work for you.

You should ask yourself the following questions while choosing the therapist;

• Does he have a license?
• What type of training and approach has he/she learned?
• What is his/her field of expertise?
• The orientation treatment
• What are the charges per session? Hourly/monthly
• Scheduling procedure
• Short term and long term procedure

Impact of Therapist 

If everything goes as planned, then the psychotherapist could bring positive changes in your life. It all depends on the type of treatment you’re receiving and the seriousness of the symptoms. However, some of the main benefits are as follows;

• Expressing your worries, burden, and fear to the neutral person
• Learning new stress management skills
• Better relationships
• Self-awareness
• Better insight into your behavior and experiences
• Understanding and supportive feelings
• Thinking about things from various perspectives
• Knowing your own thoughts and how they impact your behavior
• Better mental and physical health

Studies have shown that psychotherapy is more effective. It has got lower side effects than medicines and other types of treatments. It makes your resilience to face various challenges.

Expectation 

If it’s your first time visiting the psychotherapist, then feelings of doubt and fear are normal. It’s like visiting any type of doctor. However, after making the appointment, filling out the paperwork about your medical history, and the psychotherapist would ask you questions like;

• Inquiring questions about your symptoms and what you’re planning to achieve
• Conducting an in-depth interview, and examining you physically
• Discussing treatment plans like diagnosis, goals, and required sessions
• Referring you to some other specialist for diagnosis testing

Drawbacks 

It doesn’t matter how hard you try, the therapy doesn’t work sometimes, and the relationship between the shrink and the client breakup. However, you should transfer to the other therapist, instead of leaving.

Conclusion: What is a Therapist? Types, Job, Impact 

After an in-depth study of what is a therapist; its types, job details, impact, benefits, and drawbacks; we’ve realized that psychotherapists help you deal with mental illnesses. If you observe any of the abovementioned symptoms, then you should consult a mental health professional.