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?
Lv 4
? asked in HealthMental Health · 9 years ago

whats the difference between a therapist?

counsellor, psychiatrist an psychologist?

Update:

which one would likely be used for deep depression and social anxiety?

6 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    A therapist isn't defined by anything specific as people use the term for anyone from a counsellor to a psychologist. It just means anyone who administers therapy, trained to use psychological methods to help patients overcome psychological problems, but this term can also be used for someone who administers physical therapy.

    A counsellor is less qualified than a psychologist or psychiatrist. They generally just take a course in counselling and can only help with mild psychological problems.

    Psychiatrists are trained in medicine and are able to prescribe medication as well as diagnose mental illnesses, but don't give much in the way of talk therapy. They will also usually advise on which type of treatment is best for the patient.

    Psychologists are trained to deal with deep rooted psychological problems using specific practical techniques, but they cannot prescribe medication.

    For severe depression and social anxiety you would need to see a psychiatrist first to get a diagnosis and they will prescribe you medication if needed. You will then generally need to see a psychologist. Many psychologists nowadays are trained in CBT since it's a method that has been tested and found to work well for most patients.

  • Andy
    Lv 4
    9 years ago

    There's a wide variety of differences, and it can vary between types of therapist or so on.

    A psychiatrist is the easiest to define. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has done some extra training and specialised in mental health issues.

    A counsellor has usually undergone specialist counselling training, which involves non-confrontational communication and the ability to help people talk through their issues without imposing advice or solutions.

    A therapist has a wide variety of definitions, but it again usually involves some training. A relative of mine is working towards becoming a child psychotherapist. She has completed a degree, and is now working on a masters, after which she will apply for a further two years of training and work experience to become qualified.

    A psychologist will usually be trained to some degree if you see them, but it is also a wider term used to describe anyone with some experience in psychology. My sixth form teacher used to call all her students psychologists because we were studying it at A-Level. I don't mean to dismiss any psychologist as less trained or less competent, just to acknowledge that the term is used more widely than the others.

    Sorry about the essay, but I hope that helps.

  • jdphd
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    Psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors are all types of therapists and they are all qualified to treat patients for mental health concerns, including depression or social anxiety.

    Unlike counsellors and psychologists, psychiatrists are able to prescribe medications.

    Source(s): I have a graduate degree in psychology http://recoveredlives.com/treatment/types-of-thera... has good information on different types of therapists and other mental health professionals
  • 9 years ago

    If you are troubled with social anxiety you should ask your doctor to refer you to a COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIST....they are specialists in the treatment of social anxiety.

    A COUNSELLOR supports people through emotional stress..they are not specialists and cannot treat social anxiety.

    A PSYCHIATRIST is a doctor who specialises in mental illness....schizophrenia...bi-polar etc.

    A PSYCHOLOGIST is a mental health professional who helps people change distressing thinking patterns/behaviours

    Act now and talk toyour doctor!

    Good luck!

    Source(s): 41 years Professional mental health experience.
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  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    A therapist is somebody who makes appointments with you to chat approximately emotions and any previous reviews that would have led to you to sense this way, and that they provide verbal consultation and suggestions on your issues and seem at you as a typical person. A psychiatrist isn't something like that. All a psychiatrist will do is spend perhaps 5th-youngster minutes with you to evaluate your emotions, then they label you with issues and ailments and recommend drugs after drugs through fact they have confidence that any unusual undesirable day could be cured with the aid of a pill. for my section, therapists are plenty greater useful than psychiatrist through fact they load you up with tablets and %. your head packed with ability lies approximately who you're till you have confidence something is inaccurate and you're compelled to maintain seeing the guy to get help. rather, all my psychiatrist observed in me become a screwed up seventeen 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous boy with Asperger syndrome, Bipolar affliction, and schizophrenia, wherein this is authentic I rather have AS and would in all possibility be insane, yet am now seeing a therapist and prefer it a lot greater useful. Psychiatrists, for my section, shop you vacationing purely to get that extensive pay examine from each and every time you return see them.

  • 9 years ago

    Phyciatrist i beleive is the one that has a degree to like "use it" and the phycoligist is the one thatwent threw all of its courses

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