How do you choose a therapist?

Good question, Money Talks.  The titles are used so interchangeably, it's understandable that they can be confusing.

Here's a short answer:

A psychiatrist has a medical degree and can prescribe medications.  [The good ones spend a fair amount of time talking with the client/patient before doing so.  The not-so-good ones just throw pills at the problem.]

A psychologist usually has a PhD.  Hopefully, the person has had extra-curricular training over and beyond the book-learning provided by the degree.  Many of them confine themselves to administering and interpreting psychological tests but others choose to do therapy with clients.

A psychoanalyst may or may not be a psychiatrist.  S/he has had extensive training in the methodology first developed by Freud and added to by a number of later specialists.

There are several types of counselors:  Clinical counselors do the "talking cure" and, in certain circumstances, will refer a client to a psychiatrist if medication is indicated.  Career counselors help people determine their aptitudes regarding finding work that will be fulfilling.  Drug counselors help people overcome addictions to drugs.  Etc. Etc.

A therapist is a generic term which can mean any of the above.

And then there are several different disciplines practiced by all the above.  The title, "psychoanalyst" pretty much tells you what you're getting when you walk in the door.  Otherwise, though, you need to ask the therapist the type of therapy they practice: psychodynamic, behavioral, emotive, client-centered, are the main generic types -- which are all broken down into several minor disciplines.

The most important issue, though, whatever the title or type of education the person received before hanging out a shingle, is this:  are you comfortable talking to him or her? 

about four years of education.

A good therapist usually be weighed by their experience while Psychiatrist and Psychologist are by their achievements and specialties.

Base on years of experience. 

As you go through the process of choosing the therapist that will best serve your needs, trying to first decipher the confusing array of academic degrees, licenses, and certifications used in the psychology profession can seem daunting, to say the least. You may come across literally dozens of designations, such as Ph.D., M.D., MA, Psy.D., M.F.C.C., or L.C.S.W.

A therapist who is expert and has a care to it's patient.

Psychiatrists mainly take down your symptoms and prescribe medication. Psychoanalysts specialize in psychoanalysis, using mainly Freudian techniques to change personality. It,s an ambitious goal often not attained. Psychologists and social workers usually use cognitive-behavioral therapy and other more modern techniques to change thinking patterns, mood, and behavior. You can use Craigs List, contact the APA and other legitimate sources online, and ask others. But the only way to know if you,ve picked the right therapist is to try him/her out and see if you click.

A  Psychologist, you can have nice talks with, at this time don't think that they can give medication, a Psychiatrist can diagnosis what your problems may be to a point, and are a Doctor that can prescribe medications if needed..

Sweet G