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Psychologists are much better trained than therapists. If at all possible, see a psychologist. Therapists are minimally trained, and do not understand neurolog

by gt_ 9y ago

Psychologists are much better trained than therapists. If at all possible, see a psychologist. Therapists are minimally trained, and do not understand neurological conditions on nearly the same level. If your issues are beyond basic depression, a therapist will not be able to tell.

blakes 9y ago
I'm probably biased (my wife is a therapist), but I disagree with you. Therapists require a lot of training (depends on state/specialization). Thousands of hours of supervision and a Masters degree in the field. I would not say that is minimally trained. Less so than a psychologist however. Therapists are trained in understanding systems and the why/how something is. You are very much right about psychologists understanding neurological conditions far better than a therapist. Therapists with a bachelor degree in psychology (like my wife) mostly agree that it is useless for a lot of therapy. Depression is a tough one. I'd just see both a therapist and a psychologist. Probably go for a therapist first and try to get some understanding of what is going on. It may help a lot! Or maybe not at all, with the nature of depression. Then see a psychologist and get some medication.
holman 9y ago
(OP here). I don't necessarily want to disagree with you, but I think the answer with all of these things is "well, it depends". It really depends on the person, the situation, and everything. I think some people are perfectly fine seeing a therapist. My therapist was a psychologist as well, so that opened up some avenues that we might not have been able to explore otherwise, but when it came to any brain chemistry thing he was very quick to say, hey, go see a specialist in this area. I think that's kind of the commonality here; I know people who have seen different people (of varying professional degrees) and they hated their person. Sometimes it just depends on if you click or not. (Unfortunately, "hey go see a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist, but also it might take you a few months and people before you're comfortable!" is not a great rallying cry for people who are really depressed. But unfortunately that's how it goes sometimes.) In either case, I do agree with you that it's important to know what type of person you're seeking out, and whether you think that'll jive with what will help.

by gt_ 9y ago

blakes 9y ago

I'm probably biased (my wife is a therapist), but I disagree with you. Therapists require a lot of training (depends on state/specialization). Thousands of hours of supervision and a Masters degree in the field. I would not say that is minimally trained. Less so than a psychologist however. Therapists are trained in understanding systems and the why/how something is. You are very much right about psychologists understanding neurological conditions far better than a therapist. Therapists with a bachelor degree in psychology (like my wife) mostly agree that it is useless for a lot of therapy. Depression is a tough one. I'd just see both a therapist and a psychologist. Probably go for a therapist first and try to get some understanding of what is going on. It may help a lot! Or maybe not at all, with the nature of depression. Then see a psychologist and get some medication.

holman 9y ago

(OP here). I don't necessarily want to disagree with you, but I think the answer with all of these things is "well, it depends". It really depends on the person, the situation, and everything. I think some people are perfectly fine seeing a therapist. My therapist was a psychologist as well, so that opened up some avenues that we might not have been able to explore otherwise, but when it came to any brain chemistry thing he was very quick to say, hey, go see a specialist in this area. I think that's kind of the commonality here; I know people who have seen different people (of varying professional degrees) and they hated their person. Sometimes it just depends on if you click or not. (Unfortunately, "hey go see a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist, but also it might take you a few months and people before you're comfortable!" is not a great rallying cry for people who are really depressed. But unfortunately that's how it goes sometimes.) In either case, I do agree with you that it's important to know what type of person you're seeking out, and whether you think that'll jive with what will help.