Therapist, Psychiatrist, and Psychologist

Who is a Psychologist?

A psychologist specializes in the study of behaviours and mental processes. This includes emotional and cognitive processes, how people interact with their environments and how they interact with other people.

Psychologists help people learn to understand and handle different life problems and mental health issues. A psychologist diagnoses and treats mental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioural problems. They may provide treatment for chronic problems or acute problems, and they can do so in an individual, family, or group setting. The most common type of treatment used by psychologists is psychotherapy, or talk therapy. 

Psychologists help patients handle stressful events, beat addictions, or manage illnesses. People may seek counselling or treatments from psychologists for things such as traumatic experiences, a death in the family, or long-term anxiety.

One of the most notable differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that psychologists are not medical doctors. They do not have a medical degree and are not trained in general medicine or in prescribing medications.

Who is a Psychiatrist?

Like psychologists, psychiatrists specialize in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of emotional, mental, behavioural and developmental issues. Psychiatrists diagnose mental disorders and focus on chemical imbalances in the brain. They can assess both the mental and physical effects of a disorder.

However, unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are medical doctors or physicians with a degree in medicine. Psychiatrists must complete an undergraduate and medical degree plus a four-year residency in psychiatry. They may then choose to complete a fellowship in a sub-speciality.

As medical doctors psychiatrists can prescribe medication and while they may provide some counselling a psychiatrist might refer a patient to a psychologist or therapist for additional counselling or therapy.

Who is a Therapist?

In Arkansas, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers to provide mental health services. Therapists require master’s degrees and approval of their licensing boards to practice in the mental health field. Therapists provide mental health diagnoses and develop a treatment plan. Therapists work in offices, hospitals, treatment centres and group homes. There are many different types of therapy such as play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, animal-assisted therapy, dialectal behavioural therapy, and many others. Therapists cannot recommend or order medications but they can refer you for evaluation for medication or other treatments.

When you begin therapy your therapist may ask what brings you to therapy, your concerns, and any symptoms you experience. Your therapist may ask you to complete some questionnaires and learn about your childhood, education, work history, current relationships, and long-term goals. Your therapist will then set goals with you and work to help you achieve them. Therapy can be short or long-term depending on the problem/diagnosis and its severity. Therapy can be done in an individual, family, couple, or group setting.  

What is mental health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and ageing.

What are mental disorders?

Mental disorders are serious conditions which can affect your thinking, mood, and behaviour. They may be occasional or long-lasting. They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. Mental disorders are common; more than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with one at some time in their life. But there are treatments. People with mental disorders can get better, and many of them recover completely.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is important because it can help you to:

•         Cope with the stresses of life
•         Be physically healthy
•         Have good relationships
•         Make meaningful contributions to your community
•         Work productively
•         Realize your full potential

Your mental health is also important because it can affect your physical health.

For example, mental disorders can raise your risk for physical health problems such as stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

What can affect my mental health?

Many different factors can affect your mental health, including:

•         Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
•         Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
•         Family history of mental health problems
•         Your lifestyles, such as diet, physical activity, and substance use

You can also affect your mental health by taking steps to improve it, such as doing meditation, using relaxation techniques and practising gratitude.

Can my mental health change over time?

Over time, your mental health can change. For example, you may be dealing with a difficult situation, such as trying to manage a chronic illness, taking care of an ill relative, or facing money problems. The situation may wear you out and overwhelm your ability to cope with it. This can worsen your mental health. On the other hand, getting therapy may improve your mental health.

What are the signs that I might have a mental health problem?

When it comes to your emotions, it can be hard to know what is normal and what is not. There are warning signs that you may have a mental health problem, including:

•         A change in your eating or sleeping habits
•         Withdrawing from the people and activities you enjoy
•         Having low or no energy
•         Feeling numb or like nothing matters
•         Having unexplained aches and pains
•         Feeling helpless or hopeless
•         Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual
•         Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared
•         Having severe mood swings that cause problems in your relationships
•         Having thoughts and memories that you can’t get out of your head
•         Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
•         Thinking of harming yourself or others
•         Not being able to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

The Taboo Around Mental Health

Although the general perception of mental illness has improved over the past decades, studies show that the stigma against mental illness is still powerful, largely due to media stereotypes and lack of education, and that people tend to attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to other diseases and disabilities, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

Stigma affects not only the number seeking treatment but also the number of resources available for proper treatment. Stigma and misinformation can feel like overwhelming obstacles for someone who is struggling with a mental health condition. Here are a few powerful things you can do to help:

• Showing individuals respect and acceptance removes a significant barrier to successfully coping with their illness. Having people see you as an individual and not as your illness can make the biggest difference for someone who is struggling with their mental health.
• Advocating within our circles of influence helps ensure these individuals have the same rights and opportunities as other members of your church, school and community.
• Learning more about mental health allows us to provide helpful support to those affected in our families and communities.