Go see a therapist, okay, but which one? Psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychopractitioner or psychoanalyst. All are professionals of the psyche. But they have different approaches and training. What sets them apart and how do you know who to consult?
Difference Between Psychologist and Psychiatrist
The training and the tools used differ among these professionals who help people struggling with psychological distress.
The Psychiatrist Is a Physician
Among all the other mental health professions, this is the only one that is a physician. After completing a medical curriculum, they chose a specialization in general psychiatry. Upon completing this training, the psychiatrist can choose areas of intervention such as addiction medicine, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, etc.
As a doctor, they diagnose and can prescribe medications: anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics… They can also practice psychotherapy, although this is not automatic. The psychiatrist who is also a psychotherapist offers supportive therapies in addition to treatments. They may use tools such as EMDR or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
The Psychologist Is Trained in Psychology
To become a psychologist, you must complete a five-year course of study in psychology. The degree is recognized by the state. There are several branches within psychology. The clinical psychologist sees patients to help them with their stress, anxiety, or phobias, for example.
They can practice in private offices or in hospital settings, schools, correctional facilities, in companies, etc. Not being a physician, they do not make medical diagnoses. However, they are the only ones qualified to administer psychometric tests.
The Psychotherapist and the Psychopractitioner
Both therapists, they differ in their training paths.
The title of “psychotherapist” has been regulated by law since 2010. It can be awarded to psychiatrists and to psychologists. It is also awarded to professionals who have completed a five-year university program, a 400-hour theoretical training, and a minimum five-month internship.
The psychopractitioner is a psychotherapy professional who has completed recognized training, but not university-based. They often belong to a professional association. Psychotherapist and psychopractitioner use established methods such as CBT, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), systemic therapy, etc.
Finally, the psychoanalyst has not undertaken academic training. They follow the tenets of Freud, who invented this method at the end of the 19th century. Analytic treatment is based on talking. Through free association and the analyst’s neutrality, the patient explores their psyche and emotions. The psychoanalyst themselves has undergone a long analytic treatment.
Which Therapist Should You Choose?
Of course, the therapeutic relationship is first and foremost about rapport. The final choice will therefore depend on personal affinity. Here are, however, some criteria to consider.
Different Psychological Currents
There are different schools in psychology, themselves divided into a multitude of approaches.
- CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on how the patient thinks and behaves. They help the patient identify patterns and adjust responses. They are particularly suited to depression, phobias, anxiety disorders, traumatic experiences, etc.
- Psychoanalytic therapies focus on resolving unconscious conflicts. They are indicated to help address childhood traumas, but also in cases of depression or phobias.
- Humanistic therapies start from the premise that each person holds within themselves their own solutions and resources. The therapist helps the patient uncover their potential. They support change and are tools for personal development.
- Finally, systemic therapies explore the relationships the patient has with their environment. Sessions can be individual or in a group.
The Duration of Follow-Up and Cost
A therapy course can last a few weeks, notably with brief therapies. Some can last a lifetime: this is seen with analyses that span decades!
While duration should not be the sole criterion, it is still important to consider.
Additionally, seeing a therapist comes with a cost. In this exceptional period, some initiatives have provided free access to a psychologist, but psychotherapy sessions are not typically reimbursed. Note that visits to psychiatrists are often reimbursed. As for psychologist consultations, they may soon be fully reimbursed by supplementary health plans in some systems.
In any case, don’t hesitate to check with your health insurer, as plans vary greatly.
