How Do I Know Which Type of Counseling or Style of Psychotherapy is Right for Me?

Posted on by Dr Mark Parisi

The type of psychotherapy or counseling that is best for you is largely dependent on your individual preferences and needs. There are certain techniques and approaches that are more helpful than others when dealing with specific types of problems and your therapist will be knowledgeable in those approaches. For example, panic disorder is typically treated with various forms of controlled exposure therapy as research suggests it is most effective in treatment. Arm yourself with knowledge and research about the best type of therapy pertaining to your issue. This can be helpful in narrowing down what type or style of counseling is best for you.

Psychotherapists typically use an evidence-based practice and approach towards treating psychological problems. Evidence-based practice is the integration of the best available research along with the mental health practitioner’s clinical expertise, in the context of the individual’s characteristics, culture, and preferences, (American Psychological Association, 2014). Therapists consider these factors when selecting the type of therapy for treatment. They use their knowledge in research regarding the appropriate techniques to use for a specific issue and determine what the best course of treatment is based on their past experiences treating other patients and integrate your personal preferences, character and values, (APA Policy Statement, 2005).

There are many different theoretical approaches to psychotherapy and practicing psychotherapists usually draw on one or more of these theoretical perspectives to help them understand their client’s problems. The theoretical perspective of your psychotherapist will affect what goes on in therapy. For example, therapists who utilize a cognitive-behavioral approach may assign you tasks to complete or ask that you practice a new skill outside of therapy. Where as a therapist who uses a psychoanalytic approach might focus on talking in depth about your past and present memories, thoughts, and emotions rather than doing specific tasks. Most therapists combine components from several different styles of psychotherapy and blend different approaches to tailor treatments to their clients needs.

The relationship you have with your therapist is an important one and evidence suggests that development of a good relationship between a therapist and client actually predict better outcomes in therapy. Integrated throughout therapy should be efforts from the therapist to establish a genuine, nonjudgmental, and trusting therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship that is created between you and your therapist is a valuable one and this relationship can act as a catalyst to help facilitate change. After you have determined that your therapist is experienced, skilled, and knowledgeably, a good indicator of whether the type of counseling is right for you would be your comfort level working with your therapist. Most importantly, remember psychotherapy is a process. It takes time, commitment, and effort.

Contact Dr. Parisi for low cost therapy in Chicago, Mt. Prospect, and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, Evanston, and Wilmette.

What is the Difference Between Counseling and Psychotherapy?

Posted on by Dr Mark Parisi

What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy? Is there a difference? This answer can be a bit confusing at times, but put simply these terms have similar meanings among individuals in the helping profession and are often used interchangeably. There are some subtle differences among the terms, however most of the time they may be referring to the same concept or idea.

The nature and purpose of psychotherapy is to promote growth and self-discovery in an interactive and safe environment. Psychotherapists are specially trained to use therapeutic techniques and interactions in order to treat psychological conditions. Psychotherapists use a wide range of different techniques based on theoretical concepts to increase an individual’s overall sense of well-being. The American Psychological Association defines the term psychotherapy as, “Any group of therapies, used to treat psychological disorders, that focus on changing faulty behaviors, thoughts, perceptions, and emotions that may be associated with specific disorders” (APA, 2014). Essentially psychotherapy is a term used to describe a therapeutic process that occurs between a therapist and a client; this process is interactive and collaborative, and aimed at improving emotions and behaviors.

Counseling has a broader meaning and is defined as, “the act of consultation, exchanging opinions and ideas from a knowledgeable or specialized person”(Merriam-Webster, 2014). Typically counseling refers to a specific consultation regarding a particular problem or symptom. Therefore one can receive counseling from an individual who is educated or skilled in any specified topic, for example legal counseling, finical counseling, or psychological counseling. In the mental health profession a counseling psychologist is defined as, “A psychologist who specializes in providing guidance in specific areas” (APA, 2014). These specialized areas can include substance abuse, marital conflict, school problems, vocational selection and more. Counseling psychologists may also use a wide range of therapeutic techniques to help treat a variety of psychological problems.

Psychotherapy is generally a longer process that usually focuses on chronic emotional or psychological problems, where as counseling is typically shorter in duration and focuses on a specific problem. Counseling often involves giving advice and directive guidance regarding an issue that is currently taking place, while psychotherapy may aim to explore past events, thoughts, emotions and the impact these have on thoughts and behavior. There is a lot of overlap between the two terms and there meaning. Individuals who are trained to provide psychotherapy may also provide counseling, such as Psychologists and Marriage and Family Therapists, a Counselor may or may not be trained to provide psychotherapy, such as a Vocational Counselors.

Contact Dr. Parisi for low cost therapy in Chicago, Mt. Prospect, and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, Evanston, and Wilmette.

What is a Psychotherapist or Counselor?

Posted on by Dr Mark Parisi

A psychotherapist may also be referred to as a counselor and is a person who works with individuals, couples, families, and groups across all ages, to help them deal with a wide variety of psychological problems or emotional issues. Psychotherapist and counselor are terms that are often used interchangeably. A psychotherapist provides therapy to assists people with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, and stress. These feelings are normal, although sometimes they can become overwhelming and impact our daily activities causing a significant amount of distress. Psychotherapy, or counseling, can help provide guidance in managing difficult emotions and behaviors. Psychotherapists provide therapy, also called psychotherapy, to help support people and teach them ways to cope and deal with various life stressors.

There are many different approaches that psychotherapist use to help people develop healthy and effective coping skills. These approaches are based from theoretical perspectives. Theoretical perspectives act as guides to help psychotherapists understand their client, their clients problem, and to assist in developing solutions to these problems. The type of psychotherapy an individual receives is based on a variety of factors. These factors include consideration of what the problem is, the client’s unique personality and circumstances, the best available research regarding the treatment of the problem, and the therapist’s theoretical orientation. Some of the more common types of psychotherapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, along with many others. Sometimes psychotherapist will combine different elements from several different theoretical frameworks into their psychotherapy in order to tailor treatment to client’s individual needs. Ask your therapist the orientation in which they work from in order to better understand their perspective on various issues.

Contact Dr. Parisi for low cost therapy in Chicago, Mt. Prospect, and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, Evanston, and Wilmette.

How Does Psychological Trauma Affect People?

Posted on by Dr Mark Parisi

Psychological trauma is damage that occurs to a person’s psyche as the result of a traumatic event.  A traumatic event can be a single experience or one that consists of repeated events that overwhelm someone beyond his or her means of coping. However, the actual effects of the trauma may be delayed for years before a person actually experiences the symptoms.

Psychological Trauma may be the result of exposure to natural disasters, war, abuse, rape, assault, death, or any situation which is beyond the scope of normal, everyday experience.

In many cases, psychological trauma occurs when there is some sort of physical trauma involved.  But, it is important to understand that people perceive and experience things differently.  Not all people who experience trauma cope the same way, and, so, it is important to know the symptoms of abnormal coping so that proper help can be sought.

The symptoms of psychological trauma may include:

• A person may re-experience the trauma through flashbacks.

• Intense feelings of anger may come about.

• A person may experience blockages in their memory surrounding the event.

• A person may feel emotionally exhausted.

• A feeling of permanent damage may come about.  A person may feel that they are damaged beyond repair.

• Dissociating from painful emotion by numbing of all emotion.

• A person may experience insomnia.

These are some of the symptoms that an individual may experience when exposed to trauma.  Since people cope with trauma differently, they may experience these symptoms or other symptoms such as mood swings and depression.

It is important to seek out a licensed mental health professional to work through emotional problems resulting from traumatic exposure.  Psychotherapy can be extremely helpful in helping individuals work through the pain associated with traumatic exposure; sometimes, prescribed medications can assist the healing process.  Often times, a combination approach produces the most lasting, effective results.