How To Choose A Therapist (VIDEO)

You may know that psychologists and psychiatrists are not the same thing, but what many people don't realize is that the popular conception of psychologists as Freudian analysts is largely out of date.

Some psychologists do still specialize in psychoanalysis, but a number of other therapeutic approaches have emerged in the last few decades, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic therapy, a descendant of psychoanalysis.

So how do you know which type of therapy is right for you?

"There are specific therapies that are more effective for certain conditions than others," Dr. Daniel Carlat, a psychiatrist and the author of "Unhinged: The Trouble with Psychiatry," told AOL.

For example, CBT is effective for treating phobias, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and some versions of depression, he says, whereas personality disorders like borderline personality disorder might respond better to, say, DBT or psychodynamic therapy.

However, given that most people don't know which therapy is right for which condition, Dr. Carlat doesn't recommend trying to select your therapy yourself.

"The best thing to do is to simply go to see a therapist, to receive a diagnosis, and then to find out what that therapist proposes."

WATCH:

Comments

[Leo Max]

11:37 PM on 08/13/2011

But what about the free tools and methods on the web.
Times have changed.
I know about the excitement over CBTs.
This article also talks about the
http://www.clarifylife.com/online-therapy.html
Moodgym has a huge following and several studies have proven that it works.
But I still see the skepticism that saddens me because they are free in some cases but people are frightened away from them.
Why not let them try it and see for themselves.

[Jennifer Chappell Marsh]

03:50 PM on 06/29/2011

I agree with Dr. Carlat. As a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, I field a lot of client questions about how to choose a therapist. Most find it daunting and confusing. Clients have to sift through & decode a variety of letters describing the counselor's credentials (MFT, LCSW, PsyD, etc.) and treatment modalities (CBT, EFT, DBT and hundreds of others).

Fortunatley, studies show that the relationship you have with your therapist is one of the most important factors to seeing change in your life. I always recommend a person actually meet with the therapist and ask for a free consultation.
Here's an article that helps individuals start the process of finding "the right" therapist:
http://chappelltherapy.com/resources/tips-how-to-find-a-san-diego-therapist-for-you/

[mcm6]

02:38 PM on 06/29/2011

I think it's also important to understand that you do not need a diagnosis. Of course, insurance companies demand it, but diagnosing can be a very slippery slope. Ask your therapist their views on using a diagnosis.