Types of Therapists:
Therapists have different educational backgrounds:
- Psychologists have a Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy D) and need to be licensed to practice. They are registered with the California Board of
Psychology. www.psychboard.ca.gov
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) have a Masters Degree and are registered with the California Board of
Behavioral Sciences. www.bbs.ca.gov
- Psychiatrists have a medical degree (MD or DO) and can prescribe medication. They may also provide therapy. www.psych.org
- Psychoanalysts are therapists that have received post-graduate training in analytical theories and earn a Doctoral degree.
Types of Therapy you may have heard about:
- Behavioral therapy tends to be more instructive and directive using reward systems (often used with children).
- Cognitive therapy works by identifying the way you think about your problems and changing thinking patterns.
- Psychodynamic therapy focuses on identifying how your problems impact your relationships and modifying these interpersonal dynamics.
- Couples or Family therapy focusses on the relationships of the couple or the entire family. Both partners attend couples therapy sessions whilre the
entire family usually attends family therapy sessions.
- Psychoanalytic therapy is long-term therapy that requires multiple sessions per week and the focus is on unveiling unconscious drives,
exploring your history, and understanding how these factors impact your current relationships and behaviors.
- Play therapy is a group of therapies most often used with young children where the focus is on play rather than talking.
What to consider when selecting a Therapist:
When selecting your therapist you want to take your time to find someone that is right for you. Therapy is a committment to work on yourself it is also an
investment. You want to make sure you select someone you feel comfortable and safe with. Some of the key terms that people have used to describe what they look for in a therapist
are:
- kind
- welcoming
- professional
- experienced
- educated
- well trained
- engaged
- non-judgmental
- understanding
- attentive
- emotionally healthy
- clear communicator
- provides up front information about office routines, payment, scheduling, etc.
- willing to answer questions about the therapeutic process
What should not happen in Therapy:
You should not feel threatened, insulted, or lectured by a therapist, nor treated in an angry manner.