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Frequently Asked Questions |
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These are some of the questions that clients typically ask of psychologists. 1. How Do I Choose a Good Therapist? 2. What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist? 3. How do I know if I'm crazy? How Do I Choose a Good Therapist?
Choosing a good therapist is not quite as easy as it seems. When you see a professional therapist for the first time, you have the right to "interview" the therapist, just as he or she is interviewing you. Any therapist that becomes upset with you asking questions about their background and policies should be avoided. Certainly, the first considerations should be regarding the therapist's credentials and licensure. Any therapist you see should have graduated from an accredited university and be licensed in the state in which he or she is practicing. Social workers should be licensed as either an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) or MFCC (marriage and family counseling). A psychologist should have either a PhD or PsyD and be licensed by their governing board in their state. A psychiatrist will have an MD and may or may not be "board certified", which means that he or she has passed a special test in the field of psychiatry. Asking questions regarding the professional's length of time in the field is also a good idea, although just because a therapist is relatively new to the field does not mean he or she is not qualified. A new therapist may be more aware of the latest research in their field. You may also chose to contact the state licensing board and find out if there have been any disciplinary actions taken against the therapist. National associations such as the American Psychological Association can also provide you with information regarding their members. Beyond these basic qualification issues are the more subjective issues that make choosing a therapist more difficult. When choosing a surgeon, for example, technical expertise is of primary importance and the surgeon's personality makes little difference in most situations. However, with a psychotherapist, the personality and style of the therapist is of primary importance. Different people work best with different therapists. This is in no way to say that Therapist A is necessarily better than Therapist B, but rather that Therapist A's personality and style "mesh" better with yours. It is very important that you feel comfortable with your therapist. This may require seeing several different therapists at first in order to find the right "match." Be up front with the therapists you interview. Tell him or her that you are looking around for a therapist and want to get some information before deciding with whom to work. Most therapists will accept this and see no problem. If the therapist does have a problem with this, look elsewhere! Here are some questions to ask prospective therapists:
Other questions regarding the therapist's policies on confidentiality, missed appointment, and payment. are also pertinent and should be asked during the first session. What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?The simple answer to this is: a psychiatrist has an M.D. and a psychologist has a Ph.D. or Psy.D. A more complete answer is that a psychiatrist has been to medical school and then done a "residency" in psychiatry. A residency in on-the-job training in a particular specialty of medicine. A psychiatrist may or may not be "board certified," meaning that he or she has taken a test on expertise in psychiatry. Not all psychiatrists are board certified. As with any M.D., a psychiatrist may prescribe medications. In fact, nowadays, prescribing medications in the primary function a psychiatrist performs in most settings. Expect only a brief appointment, usually no more than 15 minutes, although your initial intake appointment may be longer. A psychologist has had special training in human behavior and psychopathology in graduate school, usually beginning after the initial 4-year degree. During graduate training, a psychologist has worked under supervision in various settings, getting on-the-job training even before graduation. After classroom work is completed, a psychologist-to-be serves a one-year internship or residency for further on-the-job training. In addition, the psychologist is required to perform an original piece of research. Once all this is completed, the various states require further on-the-job training (in most states), as well as successful passing of a written examination and often an oral examination. At the current time, a psychologist, without any other degrees, cannot write prescriptions for medications. Appointments are usually for an hour at a time. In addition to "talking therapy," psychologists are also trained in the administration, scoring and interpretation of various psychological tests, including IQ tests and personality tests. How do I know if I'm crazy?The term "crazy" is not one used by most mental health professionals. We generally don't define it. Still, this is a term that many people use and is often a fear that people with mental health problems express. While most mental health problems usually involve some distortions of thinking, being "crazy" usually involves a rather extreme departure of "reality." A "crazy" person often hears voices that no one else hears and may believe that others are plotting against them. Some have grandiose ideas that have little to do with the person's reality. Here are a couple of examples of being "crazy." One of my patients came in one day and stated to me that her cat was telling her to kill the president and take over the government of the United States. Now, most of us cat-lovers believe that our cats communicate with us, when they feel like it. But this patient's ideas were clearly beyond the scope of reality. In fact, when she was stabilized on medication, she told the Secret Service officer (whom I had informed of her ideas, as required by law) that she was quite well aware now that her cat cannot talk. Another patient believed that her neighbors were entering her house at all times of the day and night and hiding her possessions, such as her wallet and keys. There were no signs of breaking and entering and her neighbors knew nothing about the situation. They have noticed this patient out in her backyard, talking and yelling at people who are not there. Certainly, cultural and religious beliefs can confuse the situation. For example, when patients tell me that they have been "visited" by a recently deceased loved one, I don't assume hallucinations. Finally, as the old saying goes, "just because a person is paranoid doesn't mean they AREN'T being followed!" In judging someone "crazy," even ourselves, we have to tread carefully. |
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