Psychologist Vs. Therapist - Please Help - Appointment Today

[somegirl]

Hi,

So I finally got an appointment to see someone and just realized that the person I am set up with is not a Psychologist, just a therapist (Masters degree).

I'm not knocking this persons academic merit... It's just that I believe I need really good, experienced help! I want a full Psychologist...

Can you offer any insight as to whether or not this is justified?! Please help, my appointment is today and I don't want to waste $150 if this isn't going to work out!! :S

 

[somegirl]

Also, will she get insulted if I tell her that I was hoping for a full psychologist?

 

[gdf]

Hi some girl--don't know if this will help in decision making but some masters level counselors and therapists actually have more training time and education in actual counseling skills and are better with clinical skills than PhDs/doctoral level psychologists. She should not get insulted if you question her credentials and abilities--if she does it would be a big red flag. I have learned the hard way that "doctor" doesn't mean better.

Depending on the program they are enrolled in to earn their degree, a large part of the curriculum trains psychologists to be researchers and a significant part of their educations include statistical analysis, research, testing and measurement, dissertation, etc. If you want a psychological evaluation of your mental functioning with standardized tests then a psychologist would perform this type of assessment where as a masters level counselor could not (we're talking the States). Canada may be different. If you want a good idea of the concentration of skills ask where they went to school and look at the program they went through. Check out the course catalog and see what class content-descriptions are in the curriculum. That will give you a feel for what they were required to study to earn their degree.

 

[kers]

I think gdf gave some really good suggestions on how to check out your practitioner. In addition to finding out more about the therapist's training, I recommend you ask her about her experience treating people with trauma backgrounds. That experience is really important, as you don't want your treatment to be all trial-and-error. Talking honestly with the practitioner about your needs, and hearing how she responds, will help you decide whether this person is right.

 

[Beverly G.]

I have been to both and I must say that my therapist wins hands down in a popularity contest. However, seeing as this is not about how well the person you choose smiles and seems friendly you should probably take it slow. I go to the person holding the PhD for meds she is not very compassionate, so I go to my therapist for talking through my life. If the therapist is a good one they will tell you if they believe you need a phychologist instead of or in conjunction with them.