A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in mental health disorders. They receive medical training and study the complex relationship between mental health illnesses and other medical illnesses. They are able to diagnose mental health conditions as well as treat them with a variety of methods including medication, hospitalization, and psychotherapy, (American Psychiatric Association, 2014). The American Psychological Association defines a psychiatrist as, “an individual who has obtained an M.D. degree and has completed postdoctoral specialty training in mental and emotional disorders. A psychiatrist may also prescribe medications for the treatment of psychological disorders”, (APA, 2014). Psychiatrists work with a variety of mental health disorders ranging in severity including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders.

Psychiatrists are qualified to use both medical and psychological tests in order to determine a client’s physical and mental health state. They are able to evaluate both medical and psychological data in order to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for conditions. Some psychiatrists may use psychotherapy as treatment or prescribe medication for mental health treatment. Depending on a client’s unique physical and mental health needs, a psychiatrist may choose to assist the client with their medication management and refer them to an individual who practices psychotherapy for further treatment. Many psychiatrists work in groups with other mental health practitioners, independently in a private practice, hospitals, or community health centers.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners offer many of the same services a psychiatrist offers. This includes assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders as well as treatment and prescription of medications for these mental health conditions. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are regular nurses that specialize within mental health disorders. These nurses work with individuals, families, couples, and groups of individuals to evaluate mental health needs. They also can develop a diagnosis and plan of care to treat mental health disorders. Psychiatric nurse practitioners may use psychotherapy along with medication to treat various disorders depending on the clients needs.

A psychologist is a person who has been professionally trained to help people deal with an array of life transitions, stressors, and mental health issues. They provide a wide range of services that include psychological evaluations, tests, and psychotherapy. A psychologist must attend graduate school and receive extensive supervised training for a number of years prior to becoming a licensed professional in the mental health field. Psychologists are defined as, “An individual with a doctoral degree in psychology from an organized, sequential program in a regionally accredited university or professional school”, (APA, 2014).

Psychologists can help people overcome a wide variety of mental health related issues such as depression, anxiety, anger management, substance abuse and addictions, along with other mental health issues. Although psychologists can help people with a wide range of issues, over the course of their career they may end up specializing in certain mental health areas for example depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, or substance abuse and rehabilitation. Psychologists are trained to administer and interpret psychological assessments and can help diagnose a psychological condition. Psychological tests usually help to gather more information about a person, their personality, and the way they think, feel, and behave.

Psychologists help treat various mental health conditions by providing psychotherapy. They use a wide variety of different forms of therapy to help individuals who are in need of support. Common examples of the types of therapy include cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy or a combination of several different styles and techniques. The type of therapy used by a psychologist is usually dependent on what the research suggests to be most helpful for a particular problem. Empirically supported treatments are specified psychological treatments that have been found to be successful in treatment with a particular population, (APA Policy Statement, 2005). Psychologists utilize the best available research in order to know how to treat particular problems. Most practicing psychologist’s work with a group of other psychologists or other health care providers, as it is common for treatment plans to include referrals for other provides such as a psychiatrist or social worker. They can also work in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, community agencies, schools, hospitals, or manage their own private practice.

No one can tell you which of the many Chicago therapists for children is the best. It is important to find one that fits your individual needs. Every child has different needs and the connection between the child and counselor all depends upon their ability to find a common interest. Nobody walks into a therapist’s office and spills their guts without having some kind of relationship established. It just doesn’t happen.

The Trust Factor

Children are always wary of what they say to adults. They feel that their feelings or actions will be judged by the adult. Think about it! That’s what every parent does. You need an office of caring and open Chicago therapists for children who will not judge your child. The trust factor between a child and his therapist is essential if he is to deal with his issues today and those that he will face tomorrow.

The Development Dilemma

As your child grows, he will face greater issues and occasionally revisit those that have been dealt with in the past. If your child has had a good working relationship with particular Therapists for Children Chicago therapists for children in the past, this is where he should go to handle any new problems or old ones that have resurfaced. The right counselor can have your child happy and productive again.

If you are looking for high quality and affordable behavioral healthcare for your child, you should contact Dr. Parisi & Associates, P.C. They provide services to the residents of Chicago, Illinois and the surrounding suburbs. By calling them at (847) 909-9858, you can get a free phone consultation or set up an appointment for your child.

Psychotherapy is the process of applying expert techniques of skill building and analysis to bring about positive changes in the ways people think, feel, and act.  Although this is, seemingly, a simple definition, there are a lot inherent within the definition in order to truly understand what psychotherapy is (and is not).

First of all, psychotherapy is a “process” of bringing about positive changes.  The idea here is that, generally, for psychotherapy to be effective, there needs to be more than one visit to the psychotherapist.  Psychotherapy involves changes made over time whose cumulative effect can produce profound and lasting improvements in a person’s life.  The changes in psychotherapy do not always feel good, though.  Often, some of the most significant changes in psychotherapy are the result of individuals facing fears or confronting ingrained, unhealthy ways of thinking and behaving.  Positive changes in psychotherapy are often hard fought.  Indeed, there are times in the course of effective psychotherapy that individuals may leave the psychotherapist’s office not feeling especially good and may question if the decision to enter psychotherapy was the right one.  These sort of feelings are normal and often set the stage for positive growth as the individual works through these feelings with their psychotherapist.

Second of all, psychotherapy involves the “application of expert techniques.”  This is important to understand because it is often a misconception that going to see a psychotherapist is kind of like talking with a really good friend that can give advice and can tell you what to do.  To be effective, the psychotherapist must maintain a stance of objectivity and apply expert technique and theory to try to help individuals overcome their presenting problems.  This is precisely why it is not the same as talking with a friend.  A friend cannot be objective when dealing with your problems.  They care about you and do not want to hurt feelings.  They also do not have an understanding of normal versus abnormal thinking and behavior and cannot distance themselves from your problem situation to critically analyze it from the outside in.  Although a friend can certainly give advice, effective psychotherapy is premised upon “skill building” – or, learning more effective ways of coping with life stressors, including stress management, anger management, and problem-solving skills – and “analysis” – or,  critical examination of the factors that contribute to individuals’ problem situation with particular emphasis on focusing on factors that can be controlled or changed.

Last, effective psychotherapy is designed to bring about positive changes to way people think, feel, and act.  There are different ways that psychotherapists try to achieve this end.  But, make no mistake, the goal of all forms of psychotherapy is to produce positive changes in your life and, hopefully, help you overcome whatever issues brought you into counseling.