Psychotherapist and psychologist - what's the difference? What is the difference between a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a psychiatrist and a psychoanalyst?

In our country, people somehow distrust the psychological help. With the accumulated problems, it is customary to seek consolation in strong drinks or "crying at the waistcoat" of a friend. However, neither the friend, nor the next glass of wine can solve the difficult problems. Without the help of a qualified specialist can not do. But here comes the burning question: the psychotherapist and the psychologist - what is the difference between these specialists? Let's try to understand the materials of this publication.

What are the functions of a psychologist

It is customary for a psychologist to apply if there are problems in the family relationship between spouses or with "difficult" adolescents. Sometimes people turn to this specialist individually. The difference between a psychologist, a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist, of course, exists. The first of these has no medical education, so it is not his responsibility to diagnose the disease. Such a specialist has no right to prescribe medication for a person who came to see him at the reception. According to the person who addressed the psychologist, he makes an overall picture of the situation, evaluates it and gives recommendations. In his competence is the study of the nature of the person, while the specialist often uses standard questions and tests.

Let's analyze the concepts "psychotherapist" and "psychologist". What is the difference between them? A lot of work falls to the share of psychologists working in children's general educational institutions. On the behavior of the child and the identification of some skills, they will have to determine the level of development of the baby, and then give appropriate recommendations to parents and teachers. We can say that a psychologist in children's general educational institutions is the same teacher. He assesses the child's mental state , identifies certain problems, and then works with them. A specialist practicing with an adult population uses similar methods of work.

Education psychologist

The difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist lies in basic education. In our country, psychologists undergo a 5-year education in universities at the Faculty of the same name. Therefore, the main work of this specialist is based on interaction with healthy people having any vital and psychological difficulties. A young person who has not yet decided on his priorities in life who is in search of himself can turn to a psychologist.

Very well, such specialists help athletes to tune in to the most important and responsible start in life. Well, as we have already said, they are simply irreplaceable in helping to overcome marital crises, postpartum depression, and also in interaction with children of transitional age. If a person wants to change his life, but does not know how to do it and where to start a new chapter, he can also make an appointment with a psychologist.

Working with healthy people

Well, here we are in brief and figured out what a difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist. The first specialist works exclusively with healthy people who are in certain life difficulties. It helps people to find a way out of the situation. Not everyone pays attention to the importance of professional assistance, trying to overcome difficulties alone. But in vain. Timely skilled work of a specialist will help avoid complications, and will not lead to serious neglected clinical cases.

Psychotherapist

If a person has lost sleep and appetite, thoughts of suicide have settled in his head, who can help in this case: a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a psychoanalyst? The difference between these professionals is not obvious to everyone. In the absence of interest in life, the help of a psychologist will be of little use. Here there is a serious form of depression, from which a person can not get rid of through ordinary advice. In this case, a full examination of the therapist is needed, which, according to the diagnosis results, will prescribe the treatment and select an antidepressant.

The importance of treatment

In no case should one do self-medication. Any strong antidepressant in our country is sold only on the prescription of a doctor-psychotherapist. In view of the fact that these medicines, as a rule, have a long list of side effects, they should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor. In case of individual intolerance or a weak effect of the prescribed remedy, the psychotherapist makes adjustments to the treatment. This specialist necessarily has a basic medical education, as well as a certificate or license from a doctor-psychotherapist. In other words, in addition to basic medical education, he must listen to an additional specialized course.

When should I go to a therapist?

Now we know who the psychotherapist and psychologist are. What is the difference between them, too, figured out. Now is the time to talk about the constraints of people recognizing the psychological problems that have arisen. Many people who are depressed consider it shameful to turn to professionals for help. And God forbid, if one of the relatives hints at the treatment, the grievances will be just endless. In the Western world, the treatment of a depressive disorder is not something shameful. People often seek help from psychotherapists, treat the disease and recover.

At us in most cases the alternative to the qualified psychotherapist is a bottle. Maybe that's why the percentage of drinking population in our country is much higher than in the same America. Some people believe that good treatment is impossible without financial investments, and complain about the lack of money. However, if you add up the money spent on drinking, you can go through more than one treatment in a paid clinic. Therefore, one should not be afraid of such words as a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a psychiatrist. The difference in the potential appeal to one or another professional is observed only in the general psychoemotional state and in symptoms.

Characteristic symptoms of depression

Further, we list some manifestations and symptoms, observing which, it is necessary to consult a doctor-psychotherapist:

• Continued panic attacks.
• The presence of apathy and loss of interest in your favorite hobbies.
• Uncontrollable bouts of crying or laughing.
• Completely lost the appetite or there was a craving for overeating.
• Feeling of increased unmotivated anxiety.
• Frequently repeated outbursts of anger.
• Obsessive thoughts dominate the person or he mechanically performs ritual actions.
• There are new phobias.
• Physical pains of psychogenic properties.
• The person is endlessly tormented with insomnia.
• The continuing state of acute grief and lack of interest in life.

The task of the therapist

In today's article, we get acquainted with such specialists as a psychotherapist and a psychologist. What is the difference between them? A psychologist can not take on the functions of a psychotherapist, but rotation in reverse order is possible. So, if necessary, the doctor-psychotherapist can supplement the treatment prescribed to the patient with psychological methods and methods. In the end, the patient must regain his joy for life and return to his former channel, feeling freed from oppressive thoughts. Also, the doctor helps the patient to adapt quickly to new conditions.

Psychiatrist: Functions

We talked about the differences, which include the concepts of "psychologist" and "psychotherapist". What is the difference between these specialists and a psychiatrist? We learn about this right now. As you already knew, a psychiatrist is a doctor. However, to become it, basic medical education is not enough. As a student, this specialist is trained at the Faculty of Psychiatry. And really, this doctor should know everything about the organic and biochemical properties of the psyche, about the rudiments and the development of various mental disorders, and also to select medication in especially severe cases.

In severe cases, one should understand such mental disorders as schizophrenia, psychosis, epilepsy, dementia and other serious mental disorders. Also, severe forms of disorders include a state of delusions, visions of non-existent objects, communication with voices that no one hears, an inability to cope with severe depression with antidepressants. Hence it can be concluded that the psychiatrist is only dealing with severe cases, the treatment of which is carried out in a clinical setting.

Psychoanalyst

Now our readers are well-versed in the question of who is a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a psychotherapist. What is the difference between these specialists and the psychoanalyst? If you often watch foreign thrillers or dramas, you absolutely remember exactly what a professional is called, to which it is fashionable to walk ordinary people experiencing certain life difficulties. In the western version, such a specialist necessarily has a medical education and has the methods of psychoanalysis. In our country, things are somewhat different, and psychoanalysis is studied not only in medical schools. This method can be subordinate to graduates of psychological faculties.

Long-term education and continuous development

However, in order to become a psychoanalyst in our country, it is not enough to have a basic humanitarian education. According to the chosen method of psychoanalysis, additional education is mandatory. A graduate of a university can choose for himself the opportunity to study under European programs. But that's not all. Such an expert must constantly develop, choose a supervisor-mentor from the number of acting psychoanalysts. And in a few years, after going through this whole thorny path, an ordinary psychologist can become a psychoanalyst.

Such can become and the doctor-psychotherapist. Only for this, he will also need to receive additional education and for a long time actively interact with a practicing psychoanalyst-supervisor. If we summarize the above, this specialist should perfectly master the chosen method of psychological analysis.

Conclusion

In this article you have become acquainted with such professions as psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst. The difference between them is significant. If there are any difficulties in your life or in the life of your family members, now you know which of them you need to contact.