| Types of Therapy......which one is right for you? |
Social Work
A Social Worker, can work in many environments and provide a variety of services. A masters level, board certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) can provide psychological therapy in a private practice setting. The LCSW is a Therapist that may specialize in certain areas such as age related disorders, relationship problems, mood disorders or mental illness. They will use different types of psychological theory structure such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy or Family Systems Therapy, to help you with your problems.
Social Workers may also connect you to community resources, collaborate with other health care services and monitor your progress. Social work is a social science involving the application of social theory and research methods to study and improve the lives of people, groups, and societies. It incorporates and utilizes other social sciences as a means to improve the human condition and positively change society's response to chronic problems. Social Work is the profession committed to the pursuit of social justice to the enhancement of the quality of life, and to the development of the full potential of each individual, group and community in society. It is unique in that it seeks to simultaneously address and resolve social issues at every level of society and economic status (but especially among the poor and sick). Social Workers are concerned with social problems, their causes, their solutions and their human impacts. They work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Social Worker.
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Psychologist
A Ph.D. Psychologist is an expert in psychology, the systematic investigation of the human body, including behavior, cognition, and affect. Psychologists are usually categorized under a number of different fields, the most well-recognized being clinical and counseling Psychologists. Doctoral level trained Psychologists are also the experts in the provision/administration and interpretation of psychological tests and assessment.
A psychologist may have completed a master's degree, or if fully licensed, holds a doctoral degree from a university or a professional school, a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology), or an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education). Generally, if he or she is in clinical practice, the degree will be in Clinical Psychology. Psychologists treat mental and emotional disorders with psychotherapy. Clinical Psychologists also specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.
Psychologists.
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Counselors
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is a licensure for mental health professionals. The exact title varies by state, but the other most frequently used title is Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC Licensed Professional Counselors are one of the six types of licensed mental health professionals who provide psychotherapy in the United States. No controlled study has ever found a difference in effectiveness between therapists of different education levels or licensure.
In the United States, licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor occurs at the state level and requires a master's degree in counseling or a related field. In addition to their education, LPC must obtain supervised clinical experience and must pass a state licensing exam, either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Certified Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). LPC are regulated by federal and state laws, which define the scope of practice of a professional counselor and stipulate certain client protections. If a LPC is also a member of a professional association or has received additional certifications, they must adhere to the codes of ethics of the professional association or certification body with which they have aligned.
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Speech and Language Therapist
Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person's speech, language, cognition, voice disorders, swallowing disorders and the rehabilitative or corrective treatment of physical and/or cognitive deficits/disorders resulting in difficulty with communication and/or swallowing.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) address people's speech production, vocal production, swallowing difficulties and language needs through speech therapy in a variety of different contexts including schools, hospitals, and through private practice.
Communication includes speech (articulation, intonation, rate, intensity), language (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics), both receptive and expressive language (including reading and writing), and non-verbal communication such as facial expression and gesture.
Swallowing problems managed under speech therapy are problems in the oral, laryngeal, and/or pharyngeal stages of swallowing (not oesophageal).
Depending on the nature and severity of the disorder, common treatments may range from physical strengthening exercises, instructive or repetitive practice and drilling, to the use of audio-visual aids and introduction of strategies to facilitate functional communication.
Speech therapy may also include sign language and the use of picture symbols (Diehl 2003).
Speech therapists are also trained to assess, treat and manage swallowing difficulties.
Speech Therapist
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Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist (OT) is a person trained in or engaged in the practice of occupational therapy. The role of an occupational therapist is to work with a client to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of "purposeful activity or interventions designed to achieve functional outcomes which promote health, prevent injury or disability and which develop, improve, sustain or restore the highest possible level of independence. A practical definition for OT can also be illustrated with the use of models such as the Occupational Performance Model (Australia), known as the OPM(A). At the core of this approach is the ideology that occupational therapists are concerned with the occupations of people and how these contribute to health. Specifically it is a person’s occupational performance that influences their health and personal satisfaction of their individual needs. The OPM(A) is constructed on the following definition of Occupational Performance:
"The ability to perceive, desire, recall, plan and carry out roles, routines, tasks and sub-tasks for the purpose of self-maintenance, productivity, leisure and rest in response to demands of the internal and/or external environment.
It can be seen that occupational performance, the roles it creates for a client, and the areas it can encompass are so far-reaching that an occupational therapist can work with a wide range of clients of various limitations who are being cared for in an array of settings.
In summary, Occupational Therapy is about helping people do the day-to-day tasks that “occupy” their time, sustain themselves, and enable them to contribute to the wider community. Its these opportunities to “do” that occupational therapy provides that prove important and meaningful to the health of people.
Occupational Therapist
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What is a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a physician (a medical doctor--either an MD or a DO) who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders.
Psychiatrists are trained in the medical, psychological, and social components of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and utilize a broad range of treatment modalities, including diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, psychotherapy, and helping patients and their families cope with stress and crises. Psychiatrists increasingly work in integrated settings and often lead or participate on treatment teams and provide consultation to primary care physicians and other medical specialties.
Educational requirements
A psychiatrist must complete an M.D. or D.O. degree from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy (or international equivalent). In order to obtain a license to practice medicine, physicians must a pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam, a multi-part professional exam sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners. Psychiatrists must then complete at least 4 years of accredited residency training, including a minimum of 3 years in psychiatry.
Board certification
After completing educational and examination requirements, psychiatrists may seek certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The ABPN is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Board certified psychiatrists have achieved the highest level of education and training possible in the field of psychiatry.
Psychiatrists seeking board certification must have an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, must maintain a high standard of personal and professional conduct, and must meet standards set by the ABPN. They also must pass both a written and oral exam administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and must be re-certified every 10 years.
Subspecialty board certification requires additional training. Board-certifiable subspecialties include:
Many people are confused about the difference between psychiatry and psychology
A psychiatrist has completed medical school and holds an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree or a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. In Residency, he or she received specialized training in the field of psychiatry. As physicians, psychiatrists have achieved a rigorous medical education and abide by the medical traditions of professional ethics and medical responsibility for providing comprehensive care.
A psychologist may have completed a master's degree, or if fully licensed, holds a doctorial degree from a university or a professional school, a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosphy) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology), or an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education). Generally, if he or she is in clinical practice, the degree will be in Clinical Psychology. Psychologists treat mental and emotional disorders with psychotherapy. Clinical Psychologists also specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.
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Physical Therapist
Physical therapy (or physiotherapy is a healthcare profession concerned with prevention and management of movement disorders arising from conditions and diseases occurring throughout the lifespan. Physical therapy is performed by either a physical therapist (physiotherapist) or a physical therapist assistant (PTA) acting under the direction of a physical therapist. Despite this, various alternative health professions continue to employ the use of some physical therapeutic modalities in practice. A program of physical therapy will typically also involve a patient's caregivers.
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