What Is A Mental Health Therapist
Medically Reviewed By Lauren Guilbeault, LMHC
A mental health therapist is someone who helps you when you're experiencing trauma or a psychological condition. If you're going through a divorce, either yours or your parents, or if you're experiencing trauma from abuse, for example, these are things that a mental health therapist can help you with. But they can also do a great deal more than that. They can also help you with the thoughts and feelings on a normal basis and help you improve your life in any way you want. In short, this type of therapist is all about helping you live a better, happier, healthier life.
Do I Need A Mental Health Therapist?
The truth is that anyone can benefit from a mental health therapist. You don't need to have a mental health condition or a trauma in your past or present life. Absolutely anyone could benefit from having someone to talk to at least once in a while. Of course, those experiencing any psychological problem would most definitely benefit even more from this type of help and may overcome the problems they face if they reach out to a professional. So it's important to take a look at your current situation at least.
There are several different questionnaires and quizzes online that will help you better understand whether you should seek out some form of therapy, but in general, it has to do with the way that you feel. If you feel like there is a behavior or an emotion that you feel isn't normal for you, it's good to speak with someone about it, especially if it seems to worsen. If you're struggling to cope with things in your life and aren't sure how to get through even seemingly minor setbacks, you may want to speak to someone as well.
If you have recently experienced trauma or if you have trouble concentrating on things that are important to you, this can also be a problem. If you've recently lost someone close to you, even if it is from a divorce or a fight rather than death, you may need to speak to someone about the feelings that you are experiencing and going through. In general, anything that you're experiencing that doesn't seem normal to you is a reason to seek a professional and find a different way to work through the problem.
What Is A Therapist?
The therapist you speak to has done a lot of training and schooling to understand the human mind. They understand how different mental health disorders and different traumas in your life can affect your brain and how your brain's changes can affect the rest of your body. That means they can help you to understand better those changes and how you can overcome them. But you can only overcome them by talking about what you're going through and what you're feeling at the moment.
There are all different therapy types that focus on specific aspects of your personality and your childhood or even different types of trauma or different situations. Some therapists offer only group sessions or only individual sessions. Some focus on addiction, while others may focus on the loss of a loved one. The key is finding someone who can help you with the specific situation you're experiencing to start to understand yourself better and start to overcome the problems you are facing, no matter what they are.
Attending Therapy
If you decide to go to therapy, you must be completely open and honest with your therapist at all times. Remember, this person doesn't know you outside of the office, and they aren't there to judge you. Instead, that person is there only to listen and help you better understand yourself. That means you can tell them absolutely anything, and they will help you. You don't need to worry about hurting their feelings or telling them something they don't want to hear. The sole thing you need to think about is the truth and how I can overcome it.
During each session, you may be asked to talk freely and say whatever comes into your mind. You may be asked questions that you can focus on and discuss more in-depth. You may be asked to re-experience certain events in your life and explain exactly what is happening or what you're thinking or feeling throughout the event. These different treatment types can help you better understand yourself through understanding your present or your past. But it's going to depend on the specific therapist and type of therapy that you engage in.
Getting Professional Help
If you're looking for a therapist for yourself, you want to find someone you can fully open up to. This might require a little bit of additional help because there often aren't enough therapists for you to choose from. But if you check out the online options, you'll find that there are plenty more therapists available than you might have thought. My Therapist is one online resource that lets you find out more about mental health conditions and different therapists who are out there and ready to help you.
With this online service, you can reach out to anyone that you want, and you'll be able to start getting the help you need quickly and easily. Not only that, but you'll also be able to reach out from anywhere that has an internet connection. This helps you feel even more comfortable and helps you better understand what is happening throughout the therapy. From your own home, sitting in your favorite spot, you're going to feel a whole lot better about opening up about anything that's going through your mind, and that's where MyTherapist can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a mental health therapist do?
Mental health professionals provide support, counseling, and treatment options for individuals who would like to improve their mental health, whether that means recovering from trauma, addressing mental illness, or simply feeling more integrated and empowered in their lives. They use cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and counseling to help people improve their overall well-being. They may see patients in their office, in a hospital setting, or through online therapy.
What are mental health therapists called?
Mental health services include a wide range of professions, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), mental health nurses practitioners, and pastoral counselors. Generally, you call a mental health professional by their degree and the type of therapy they provide.
What does it take to become a mental health therapist?
The best mental health professionals are passionate about helping others. They need to have a highly scientific mind and interpret and respond to people’s stories. At times, they may hear or witness distressing material or behavior, so this profession is not for the faint of heart. Every mental health professional must have a strong sense of ethics, cultural sensitivity, and a non-judgmental attitude. Aspiring mental health professionals also need to be committed to their field — it takes many years to complete the required training and education.
What is the difference between a mental health counselor and a therapist?
The difference is semantic: mental health counselors are one type of therapist, and “therapist” is a broad term. In practice, though, most people use “therapist” to refer to a clinical psychologist, a marriage and family therapist or other mental health professionals who provide psychoanalysis or advanced cognitive-behavioral therapy. In contrast, mental health counselors typically provide talk therapy and general psychotherapy. When finding a therapist, look for someone who provides the type of therapy you want and treats the mental illness or symptoms you have.
Who qualifies for mental health diagnosis?
Anyone can be diagnosed with a mental illness, no matter their family history, upbringing, or general lifestyle. Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety affect a broad spectrum of people and maybe chronic or temporary. In practice, though, getting diagnosed is not as simple as you might imagine. Some patients have to prove their illness to their health insurance provider constantly or to obtain disability benefits. Some diagnoses, such as depression, tend to be regarded as more “treatable” than others, which causes some people to assume that they are not disabling. This is not true.
When seeking help for your mental illness, remember that only health care professionals can diagnose you. You cannot diagnose yourself by taking an internet quiz or reading the DSM-5. Even your primary care physician can technically diagnose you; however, it is recommended to speak with a licensed, degree-carrying psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor specializing in mental health care.
What are 3 general methods used to treat mental disorders?
Most mental health professionals will use psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, pharmaceuticals, or a combination thereof. Psychotherapy comprises the most common methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and regular talk therapy. Additional options to treat mental illness include art therapy, movement therapy, and bodywork, although these fall under the banner of psychotherapy.
Do therapists diagnose you?
Yes, mental health counselors can make a diagnosis for one or more mental illnesses. Sometimes, they may first identify syndromes to guide a treatment plan and give you an official diagnosis later. Misdiagnoses of mental illness can cause many problems, so don’t worry if your mental health professional wants to take their time in evaluating your symptoms.
Can a therapist diagnose mental illness?
Yes, mental health professionals will refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and other resources to evaluate possible mental illness. However, their primary goal is to create an effective treatment plan in accordance with your goals. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy, marriage and family therapy, and even group therapy.
Is it too late to become a therapist?
Becoming a professional, a licensed therapist does take quite a bit of time. Most mental health professionals spend at least 8 years in school. However, if you want to become a mental health professional, you can absolutely start your education and training later in life.
How much does a mental health counselor make per hour?
Licensed Mental Health Counselors make about $22-32 per hour in the United States, depending on where they are. A therapist with more training and education, such as a clinical psychologist or a marriage and family therapist, often makes upwards of $60 per hour.
How many years does it take to become a therapist?
A professional therapist's education and training process can take anywhere from 8 to 14 years, depending on their specialty, methodology, and state’s licensing requirements.
