My therapist (MD) won't tell me a diagnosis

[whiteraven]

in the UK there are clear definitions between, gp(docter), psychologist, therapist/counsellor, psychiatrist.

Are psychiatrists not *allowed* to do talk therapy or is it just understood that they don't?

 

[rumor18894]

Yeah, I think part of my confusion is that I spent a bit of time in the UK where definitions are more distinct. So it was easier to call him a therapist because that's mainly what we do. Hope I can get some more concrete insight.

He has an MD, prescribes medication for me and also does talk therapy with me and we are in the US. Psychiatrist?

 

[Survivor3]

Are psychiatrists not *allowed* to do talk therapy or is it just understood that they don't?

they're not trained in talking or understanding.

 

[rumor18894]

I also am unsure how to edit the title of the so that it's clearer. Maybe I should just delete the thread.

 

[Survivor3]

I've never met a psychiatrist that could even have a good conversation let alone do talk therapy.

I also am unsure how to edit the title of the so that it's clearer. Maybe I should just delete the thread.

I don't know, it's gaining momentum. Why change it. IT's an interesting outlet for people.

 

[rumor18894]

I've never met a psychiatrist that could even have a good conversation let alone do talk therapy.

He was trained as a psychoanalyst (plus other things that I have forgotten and am unsure about asking him about because he definitely told me about himself hence me knowing about his being trained to do psychoanalysis lmao) but he also went through medical school. Our relationship is kind of like a 95% talk therapy, 5% prescribed medication deal. I actually wasn't prescribed anything for the first couple of years and only recently started a prescription last fall. He and I have a really good rapport! I think my insecurities are just because forgetting things is a big deal for me and I hate having to ask again because then it's apparent that I've forgotten and I feel like an idiot.

 

[whiteraven]

I also am unsure how to edit the title of the so that it's clearer. Maybe I should just delete the thread.

No need! Your title is fine. With lots of threads, we have to read through to understand exactly what is needed/being said. No worries. You explained well within the thread.

 

[Sideways]

I've never met a psychiatrist that could even have a good conversation let alone do talk therapy.

I've known at least a dozen psychiatrists who are incredibly effective at therapy. My current pdoc (psychiatrist) is my 'talk therapy' preference over a psychologist, who have their own professional limitations in the talk therapy they can provide.

 

[Survivor3]

I've known at least a dozen psychiatrists who are incredibly effective at therapy. My current pdoc (psychiatrist) is my 'talk therapy' preference over a psychologist, who have their own professional limitations in the talk therapy they can provide.

Your lucky @Sideways. I didn't experience that.

 

[joeylittle]

I've never met a psychiatrist that could even have a good conversation let alone do talk therapy.

This can be true. But some do actually specialize in doing both. It's more common in the US to see these doctors specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry - I worked with two child/adolescent psychiatrists (while I was an adult) who also did talk therapy and they were both really good at it. But, there are other psychs who are totally all about the neurology side, and modalities involving talk therapy are not their strength.

Just depends on the person, and their area of emphasis.

 

[Friday]

Things in the US are different from the UK. A therapist can't diagnose here.

They can if they’re psychiatrist.

It’s actually fairly similar in the US... only the very top tier of psych professionals can diagnose (or diagnose & prescibe, which is an ever higher level in the US, usually only found in prescribing nurses, even though that’s a lower bar in the UK where nurses can Rx certain medications with doctor review/oversight after the fact) ; we simply include doctorates in nursing, psych, & social work, who’ve gone to that extra level of education/training/certificate... instead of purely for medical doctors only.

The vast majority of therapists in the US are not able to diagnose.

in the UK there are clear definitions between, gp(docter), psychologist, therapist/counsellor, psychiatrist. These labels are frequently blurred in the US.

Nope. Not really. A GP is a general practitioner (medical doctor who has specialized in general medicine), a psychologist is a masters of psychology who has passed their boards and completed their internship hours; PsyD is a doctorate of psychology (can usually diagnose, but not prescribe); Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has gone on to specialize in psychiatry.

Therapist & Counselor have specific meanings that people often mix up (counselor is anyone below a masters level, including no education/training, like peer counselors and priests, or all the way up to in their masters program/internship but haven’t completed it, yet... therapists are anyone above a masters level that has passed their internships & boards). For example... to be a trauma therapist? As opposed to a trauma counselor (or rape counselor, etc.) A person has to have completed their masters or doctorate, whilst specializing IN trauma.

People outside of the field often don’t pay attention to the letters that come after a person’s name, or what they mean... they just “want to see someone”... and end up calling a dinky little CDC, or life coach, or spiritual guide their therapist, or conversely call their psychiatrist, or PsyD, or prescribing psychiatric nurse practitioner (which is a 3’fer, doctorate, and specialty, and Rx powers! I <3 Nurse Practitioners!) their counselor. :facepalm: But the lines are still there.

Using the terms wrong, doesn’t mean that the lines are blurred.

It like, just because nurses in the UK can prescribe some medications? Doesn’t blur the line between doctor and nurse. Even if it would confuse American tourists.

However, since @rumor18894 is in the US? And seeing an MD? I’m not sure how any of this is relevant?

So should I be calling him my psychiatrist then?

Not unless he’s actually a psychiatrist ;) Not all MDs dealing with psych conditions are. Psychiatry is a speciality, just like any other (surgery, cardiology, dermatology, etc.) But not all docs who perform surgeries, or treat heart conditions or skin conditions are surgeons, cardiologists, or dermatologists.

If you like, you can always ask him. Or get all sneaky and ask for a card :sneaky:

I was under the impression that psychiatrists don't do talk therapy, they focus on medication

Most don’t, most psychiatrists work in tandem with a therapist who does therapy, whilst they do medication management; however many do.

 

[joeylittle]

The vast majority of therapists in the US are not able to diagnose.

Yes - and just to add, in the US, this varies by state.