What does a psychotherapist do?
A psychotherapist uses talk therapy to help you live a healthier and happier life. They can help you manage general emotional unrest or illness. They can assist you in coping with various issues, including everyday stress, grief, and mental illness. Sometimes, they may also combine psychotherapy with medication and lifestyle changes.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), a good therapist:
- has a developed set of interpersonal skills
- takes time to build trust with you
- has an individualized treatment plan that is adjusted accordingly
- monitors your progress
- offers hope and is realistic
All psychotherapists are not licensed to prescribe medication.
What kind of education and training do psychotherapists receive?
The process of becoming a psychotherapist includes the following:
- Getting a doctoral degree. Those who only practice with a master's degree are considered counselors, not psychologists or psychiatrists.
- Successfully completing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.
- Completing practicum hours for supervised training.
Every state may have particular requirements to practice as a psychotherapist. A psychotherapist's role is to understand your experiences, engage in conversations, and help figure out solutions to your problems.
What are the differences among counseling, therapy, and psychotherapy?
The distinctions among "psychotherapy," "counseling," and "therapy" can sometimes become blurred as people often use these terms interchangeably. However, there are nuanced differences to consider:
1. Psychotherapy: Specifically addresses mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. It is a comprehensive and often longer-term treatment that aims to provide deep insights into an individual’s problems or help manage mental health conditions.
2. Counseling: Generally involves shorter-term treatment tailored to specific symptoms or situations. Psychotherapists commonly use it for issues such as marital conflicts or family problems. Counseling aims to offer guidance and support within a defined scope.
3. Therapy: An umbrella term encompassing various therapeutic approaches to address a range of conditions. It's worth noting that therapy extends beyond mental health and includes treatments like speech therapy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, radiation therapy, and more. Although "therapy" is sometimes a shortened form of "psychotherapy," it can also refer to any form of treatment.
What are some types of psychotherapy?
Psychotherapists use different approaches depending on your concerns and preferences. Some of these are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): It focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors, affecting your feelings or actions. CBT can help with low self-esteem, anxiety, and other issues.
- Interpersonal therapy: It helps you understand the underlying interpersonal issues and focuses on helping you express your emotions and communicate better.
- Psychodynamic therapy: It addresses how your past experiences affect your current thoughts and behaviors, making you aware of the source of your feelings.
- Family therapy: It can provide a safe space for family members to express their views, understand each other, and find solutions to any issues.
- Group therapy: It usually involves participants with similar concerns, such as substance misuse and depression.
- Online therapy: Psychotherapy is easily integrated into daily life, thanks to online therapy. It can be specifically helpful for someone who cannot find a suitable psychotherapist near them or cannot make it for in-person treatment.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is a form of talk therapy rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy. DBT can help individuals who grapple with intense emotions. Therapists practicing DBT aim to balance acknowledging and accepting who you are along with your challenges while encouraging positive changes. Through DBT, you can acquire new skills for managing and regulating your emotions. This approach encompasses both individual and group therapy.
- Animal-assisted therapy: This involves interactions with animals like dogs or horses to provide comfort, enhance communication, and assist in coping with trauma.
- Creative arts therapy: This approach incorporates art, dance, music, and poetry to complement traditional talk therapy, fostering communication and emotional expression.
- Play therapy: Primarily designed for children, play therapy helps youngsters recognize and articulate their emotions and feelings through play-based activities.
- Marriage counseling/couples therapy: This form of therapy can help you and your spouse or romantic partner. Licensed marriage and family therapists can assist couples identify and address their relationship challenges. Topics often include communication, parenting, financial matters, understanding each other's mental health conditions, and more.
What can you expect from psychotherapy?
If you are struggling with your mental or emotional state, contact your doctor, who can help you decide whether psychotherapy would help you. People seek psychotherapy for different reasons, such as:
- facing difficulty with everyday challenges
- having relationship problems
- struggling with significant life changes
- having overwhelming feelings of sadness or helplessness
- using drugs or alcohol in a way that affects your health
- at risk of harming yourself or others
- feeling anxious most of the time
- dealing with abuse in the present or past
- coping with a mental health condition like schizophrenia
While some may receive referrals for psychotherapy, you may also look for assistance on your own. When you find the right psychotherapist, you may have to complete some paperwork, including your demographic details and medical history. Your first few sessions will be focused on the therapist trying to get to know you better. It will help them identify the best treatment approach. Your therapist will also determine some short-term and long-term goals for you.
The time it takes to see improvements may vary from person to person. While some people may notice a change in six to twelve sessions, others may require psychotherapy for years.
It may also help you learn more about yourself, identify what causes problems in your relationships, and develop plans to face any challenges. Psychotherapy can be beneficial when you are willing to participate, actively engage in the process, and be honest with your therapist.
How can you make the most out of sessions?
When you start therapy, remember to keep these things in mind:
- Choose the right psychotherapist for you. Find someone to address your concerns instead of settling for a therapist. Consider their specializations, certifications, and the approach that they use in therapy.
- Before getting started, address concerns like therapy fees, insurance, and duration of the treatment.
- Your therapist will only guide you. You are the one who initiates opening up and actively engaging in these sessions.
- If you struggle with opening up about negative feelings or thoughts that make you hesitant to discuss them, explain this to your therapist. Allow them to help you with your struggles.
- Acknowledge any feelings that may come up during these sessions. Your therapist will help you reflect on these thoughts and emotions.
- Take notes throughout the week and speak about them with the therapist. It helps you remember the details you wanted to address in the session.
- Apply what you are learning from your experience at therapy.
Remember that therapy is a safe space to share your innermost thoughts and feelings. Finding the right therapist is essential to embrace the process and move toward a happier life.
Finding a psychotherapist near you in Cleveland, Ohio
With Zocdoc, you can find a therapist who is a good fit for you. Enter keywords like "psychotherapist" and "Cleveland" to find qualified psychotherapists near you. Each profile includes qualifications, certifications, and other detailed information about the psychotherapist.
You can also find verified reviews and ratings by past patients for every profile on Zocdoc. Filter these results based on gender, wait time, languages known, and other important factors. Once you have selected a psychotherapist, booking appointments in-person or online is safe, quick, and free.
You can also find out whether the psychotherapist treats children. Once you’ve chosen a psychotherapist, you can book appointments during, before, or after office hours, depending on the availability of the specialist. Similarly, you can also book appointments on weekends or holidays.
If you have healthcare insurance, mention the details so Zocdoc can help you find in-network psychotherapists near you.
Mental health statistics in Ohio
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, roughly three in ten adults in the country reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in 2020. Whereas in 2019, approximately one in ten adults reported similar symptoms. It shows that mental health concerns have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2021, around 26.4% of adults in Ohio reported having symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder.
Suicide has been one of the leading causes of death. In September 2020, an estimated 11.9% of adults reported extreme thoughts of suicide in the U.S. However, suicide deaths have decreased by 5.6% from 2019 to 2020. In 2018-2019, about 6.1% of adults in Ohio reported having severe thoughts of suicide, which was higher than the national average.
Health Professional Shortage Area (HSPA) designations help identify areas with a shortage of health professionals. Mental health professionals meet about 38.3% of the demand in Ohio, higher than the national percent of 28.1%.
Among adults who reported having symptoms of anxiety or depression, roughly 27.7% said they did not receive the needed therapy. In 2020, approximately 12.2% of Ohio children (3 to 17 years old) received mental health care.
Sources
WebMD
MedicalNewsToday
PsychCentral
Kaiser Family Foundation
Cleveland Clinic
