I need some help with this therapy thing!

Ok, so what the freak is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, clinical worker, LCSW, and what not?

If my goal is to find new ways to cope with my stress, and change some of my existing behaviors in response to my stress, and ways in which to deal with the situation with my father, what type of therapist should I be looking for?

Me confused.

Please help.

Re: I need some help with this therapy thing!

well a psychoatrist is best if you need meds, a clinical social worker and LCSW are pretty much the same thing, but you want to make sure the clnical social worker is an LCSW (this means he/she is licensed), or to create matters worse you can see a psychologist. Each discipline has different treatment approaches, I think you may want to choose someone who has a speciality geriatrics, they can be supportive and educational. Good luck

One more thing a social worker can be clinical but fairly new to the profession, a more seasoned therapst is a LCSW, a "new" social worker is an LMSW. Ok, now you must be REALLY confused

Message edited 12/27/2007 9:29:53 PM.

Re: I need some help with this therapy thing!

Psychiatrists [MDs] can prescribe medication.

Psychologists [PhDs,PsyD] cannot prescribe meds and do various type of talk therapy, as well as behavioral therapy, etc.

Social workers [MSW/CSWs/LCSWs] cannot prescribe either, but also do a variety of talk therapy.

They all can and do use the same type of therapies, depending on what their own orientation is. Social workers have the 2 year MSW degree...To be a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) they need to pass the licensing exam and have about two years of graduate training in therapy, as well as completion of an internship and supervised experience in the field.

I think most people would say go for who you feel the most comfortable with...I've never been, but generally I go for people who have more schooling because I feel like I am getting more bang for my buck. That's the reason I won't see a NP...I figure if I am paying the same copay, I might as well see a real dr.

Message edited 12/27/2007 9:37:10 PM.

Re: I need some help with this therapy thing!

The most important thing is to find someone you are comfortable with.

I've been to all kinds and it really comes down to a "vibe" you get with that person.

My best piece of advice is make an appointment with a few different people and choose the one you like best.

If you don't like the person it doesn't matter what their degree is.

As an aside, if you do wind up feeling like you need medication, most social workers/psychologists will work with you to help you find a Psychiatrist/MD to get you the prescription.

Re: I need some help with this therapy thing!

Re: I need some help with this therapy thing!

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Posted by Bxgell2

Ok, so what the freak is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, clinical worker, LCSW, and what not?

If my goal is to find new ways to cope with my stress, and change some of my existing behaviors in response to my stress, and ways in which to deal with the situation with my father, what type of therapist should I be looking for?

Me confused.

Please help.

OK - I may confuse you even more, but it sounds like you may be interested in speaking with a cognitive behavior therapist...

A psychologist and LCSW will just do talk therapy, which really doesnt help everyone. A psychiatrist will prescribe you drugs, which really is a band aid more than anything else.

If you actually want to change behavior in specific situations, then you may really need to "rewire" your thinking, and train yourself to think and act differently in specific situations. A cognitive behavior therapist will give you concrete and hands on tools to do this. I personally think that this is the best way to go. If you are interested, I can share with you more infor on cognitive behavior therapy...

Re: I need some help with this therapy thing!

I'm an LCSW and have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it is just a matter of taking courses, anyone can regardless of prior degree,I agree that you should "interview" a few therapists, I have a private practice and whenever I start with a new client I always encourage them to use the 1sty session as an interview process, sometimes you don;t feel the vibe with the therapist and that is totally fine, make appts with 3 different therapsts and take it from there

Re: I need some help with this therapy thing!

Thank you SO much everyone - from talking a little more extensively to a few on here, and to a good friend who is a LCSW, I think that the cognitive behavioral therapy orientation is probably best for me - I don't care who does it, whether it's a psychologist or a LCSW as long as that is their orientation, so I'm going to make a few calls today and start doing my research to narrow down my search a little!

THANK YOU!!!