How Psychologists Can Help You

Have you been struggling with challenges or obstacles? Do you think you may have a mental health condition and seek an official diagnosis? Do you just need to talk to someone? Then a psychologist may be able to help you out.

Psychologists provide a wide array of psychological services to help clients with various aspects of their mental health. Sometimes clients just need to talk; other times, they need treatment for a disorder.

But what exactly do psychologists do? And can one help you with your problems? Read on to learn more about psychologists and how exactly they can help you.

What is a Psychologist?

Many people use the terms “counselor,” “psychologist,” and “psychiatrist” interchangeably. However, these are three very different professions that require varying levels of education. They also have three distinct methods for helping their clients.

A psychologist is a professional who strives to understand the mind and behavior. They often work with those who have mental health conditions or disorders but can also help someone through a distressing period of their life.

They focus on figuring out how the brain works in certain situations, so they will break down your thought patterns and behavior to find the source of your anguish and help you heal and grow.

Psychologists do a bit more than a counselor though many people believe they are the same job title. While a counselor does not need advanced training in psychology, psychologists need a Ph.D. This is because they can diagnose and help treat mental health conditions while a counselor cannot.

However, psychologists cannot prescribe medication. A psychiatrist, who is a medical doctor that specializes in psychology, is the only psychological professional that can prescribe medication for a mental illness or psychological disorder.

Types of Psychologists

There are many types of psychologists as they specialize in many roles. You may have seen some of these job titles before. The title often refers to their specialty, but ultimately psychologists always strive to help clients with their mental health and behavior. Depending on your situation, you may want to choose one of these specialists. Some common types of psychologists include:

• Clinical health psychologist
• Psychoanalyst
• School psychologist
• Counseling psychologist
• Forensic psychologist
• Sleep psychologist
• Rehabilitation psychologist

How Psychologists Help

Since psychologists strive to understand the mind and behavior, this is how they help their clients. They do this by diagnosing mental health conditions, providing treatment strategies, or helping their clients with difficult situations.

Mental Illness

Various mental health conditions are getting more attention these days, meaning more people are realizing that they may be living with one. Depending on the disorder, life can be quite challenging.

If you believe you have a mental health disorder, a psychologist can help confirm that with an official diagnosis and provide you with strategies to cope and build a normal and satisfying life.

Provide Treatment

Consequently, they may provide treatment options for these disorders. The treatments could include more therapy, specialized psychological treatment, or lifestyle changes. In some cases, medication may be required. However, since psychologists cannot prescribe medication, they will refer you to a psychiatrist.

Difficult Situations

However, some people go to a psychologist because they are dealing with difficult or distressing situations. Maybe they are going through a divorce or lost a loved one. Perhaps they survived abuse or a natural disaster. Whatever the case, a psychologist can work with you through your distress and help you gain a sense of stability and normalcy.

Final Thoughts

If you are worried or embarrassed about talking with a psychologist, don’t be. Mental health is an extremely important issue. More and more people understand that they need to care for their mental health, and more people are seeking counseling or psychology services now than ever before.

If you are struggling with a mental health condition or you just need to talk with someone, a psychologist will be able to help you with whatever you need.