Therapist? Psychologist? Social worker..?

BornToResist · 08-29-2007, 03:03 PM

What is the difference? From what I read, all 200 pages of doctors do the same exact thing. How am I supposed to choose?

I'm looking into seeing some sort of counselor (my "homework" my doctor called it), but I can't get past all these terms. They all seem the same to me.

There's a therapist - generally marriage & family therapy...then there's psychiatrist...and then a "licenced clinical social worker"...

Can anybody tell me what the difference is?

I'm so confused.

freudj2000 · 08-29-2007, 03:20 PM

Checkout the following link
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

BornToResist · 08-29-2007, 04:09 PM

Thanks so much, that link had all the info I was looking for.

But now I gotta pick a name...any name...

freudj2000 · 08-29-2007, 04:26 PM

I would definitely visit more than one, there are some therapists who will have the first session free of charge. Regardless of the qualifications, it is very important that you feel comfortable with that person. Also, I would just google their name, see which schools they have attended to, what are their research areas (strengths). Google and yahoo tend to return this information. For instance enter the following into a search engine. Assuming that the name is John Doe

"John Doe" + psychologist

This turns back decent information, you can see which school they went to (more reputable, the better), how many research papers they have, do they belong to professional organizations, what are their areas etc etc.

Good luck

BornToResist · 08-29-2007, 06:24 PM

This is way scarier than picking a dentist.

BUT I have an appointment with one that a friend goes to and loves so, wish me luck.

Thanks for all your help!!

freudj2000 · 08-29-2007, 08:21 PM

My pleasure. Best of luck

08-29-2007, 03:03 PM	#1
BornToResist Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 1,846	Therapist? Psychologist? Social worker..? What is the difference? From what I read, all 200 pages of doctors do the same exact thing. How am I supposed to choose? I'm looking into seeing some sort of counselor (my "homework" my doctor called it), but I can't get past all these terms. They all seem the same to me. There's a therapist - generally marriage & family therapy...then there's psychiatrist...and then a "licenced clinical social worker"... Can anybody tell me what the difference is? I'm so confused. __________________ “Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” - Robert Gary Lee

08-29-2007, 04:09 PM	#3
BornToResist Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 1,846	Thanks so much, that link had all the info I was looking for. But now I gotta pick a name...any name... __________________ “Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” - Robert Gary Lee

08-29-2007, 06:24 PM	#5
BornToResist Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 1,846	This is way scarier than picking a dentist. BUT I have an appointment with one that a friend goes to and loves so, wish me luck. Thanks for all your help!! __________________ “Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” - Robert Gary Lee

08-29-2007, 03:20 PM	#2
freudj2000 Offline Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Gender: Male Age: 33 Posts: 64	Checkout the following link [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-29-2007, 04:26 PM	#4
freudj2000 Offline Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Gender: Male Age: 33 Posts: 64	I would definitely visit more than one, there are some therapists who will have the first session free of charge. Regardless of the qualifications, it is very important that you feel comfortable with that person. Also, I would just google their name, see which schools they have attended to, what are their research areas (strengths). Google and yahoo tend to return this information. For instance enter the following into a search engine. Assuming that the name is John Doe "John Doe" + psychologist This turns back decent information, you can see which school they went to (more reputable, the better), how many research papers they have, do they belong to professional organizations, what are their areas etc etc. Good luck

08-29-2007, 08:21 PM	#6
freudj2000 Offline Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Gender: Male Age: 33 Posts: 64	My pleasure. Best of luck