Therapist vs Psychologist

WHEN YOU ARE INVESTIGATING YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM, YOU MAY WONDER WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A THERAPIST VS PSYCHOLOGIST IS. MANY EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT APPROACHES RELY ON OR UTILIZE BOTH THERAPISTS AND PSYCHOLOGIST, BUT IT CAN BECOME CONFUSING TO FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW EACH PROFESSION IS DIFFERENT.

Many evidence-based treatments use talk-based therapy. These techniques can include things like an individual therapy program in St Augustine FL, group therapy, and behavioral modification treatment. While both therapists and psychologists are qualified to provide many types of therapeutic treatments, a therapist vs psychologist distinction is important to recognize. A therapist can help treat many mental health and substance abuse treatments, but can’t diagnose mental health disorders.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A THERAPIST VS PSYCHOLOGIST?

During treatment, it is common for both therapists and psychologists to help you recover. But, there are several important differences between a therapist vs psychologist.

A therapist:

• Typically has a bachelors or masters degree
• Has additional certifications to perform counseling services
• Provides individual and group therapy
• Can utilize evidence-based treatment approaches
• Can help refer you to additional services
• Meanwhile, a psychologist has additional education to conduct evaluations, testing and diagnose certain mental health conditions.

A psychologist typically:

• Has a Ph.D. in psychology
• Undergoes extensive graduate education
• Performs diagnostic testing
• Completes forensic evaluations
• Performs specialized testing
• A psychologist can offer short-term or long-term treatment, but it is common for a psychologist to solely meet you to perform a detailed evaluation and refer you to additional treatment providers. Therapists, on the other hand, are able to form a longer relationship with patients.

Both psychologists and therapists rely on you verbally sharing your thoughts, feelings, and emotions in an honest manner.

HOW CAN THERAPY HELP TREAT ADDICTION?

Whether you receive help from a therapist vs psychologist, evidence-based treatments are among the most successful methods to treat mental health and substance abuse problems. During addiction, your brain chemistry changes, impairing your cognition and making you deal with intense cravings. Negative thinking patterns often play a role in addiction.

Learning how to better understand and identify your thoughts, feelings and behavior allows you to begin your recovery process. Evidence-based treatments help you better recognize how to cope and control your emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Developing a realistic relapse prevention plan is another way treatment helps you recover from addiction. Since nearly half of all people in recovery for a substance abuse problem experience at least one relapse, it is important to have a plan to deal with triggers and cravings following treatment.

Addiction treatment also utilizes behavior modification, which means you learn how to change the way you respond to people, places or things. During addiction, you rely on substances to cope with negative life events, so an important part of treatment is finding healthy and positive ways to deal with distressing things.

FINDING HELP TODAY

While the differences between a therapist vs psychologist are minor, they both can drastically improve your chances of recovery. At Pearl of the Sea Retreat, we offer the best individual therapy program in St. Augustine, FL.

Call us today at 866-962-1907 to discuss your treatment options.