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What does a Psychotherapist do?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Mental health professionals often specialize in certain types of therapeutic services, from personal counseling to behavior modification to supervised drug therapy. A psychotherapist has both psychological and psychiatric training, but tends to concentrate on the counseling and behavior modification aspects when it comes to the treatment of clients. A psychotherapist generally acts as a guide and mentor while the client works through stressful or self-limiting personal issues.

One of the main tools a psychotherapist would use is talk therapy. During a session, a psychotherapist encourages his or her client to express any concerns, fears, traumatic memories or other thoughts without the fear of public exposure or judgment. The psychotherapist may allow the client to talk for the entire session as a cathartic exercise, or he may ask specific questions to help the client explore a specific issue. The point of a "talking cure" is not for the psychotherapist to force a solution on a client, but to provide a safe environment in which the client can examine his or her issues with the help of an objective counselor.

Psychotherapists talk with patients on a one-to-one basis.
Psychotherapists talk with patients on a one-to-one basis.

Besides one-on-one talk therapy, a psychotherapist may act as the guide for group therapy sessions. Each member of a group session is free to express his or her thoughts and react to other members, but a trained psychotherapist will try to keep the conversation focused on the issue at hand and make sure individual members are treated fairly.

Behavior modification is another mental health service generally provided by a psychotherapist. Helping clients deal with such major issues as bereavement, anger management and addictive behaviors call for a mental health professional familiar with both counseling and drug therapy approaches. While a psychotherapist generally favors personal counseling and talk sessions over drug regimens, he or she is familiar enough with medical psychiatry to make recommendations or referrals for clients who need additional help.

A psychotherapist may help a patient deal with bereavement.
A psychotherapist may help a patient deal with bereavement.

A psychotherapist may work in a private practice and see clients through appointment only, or he may work in a clinical setting and remain on-call for consultations and emergency interventions. Many psychotherapists specialize in certain age groups, such as adolescents or the elderly. Others specialize in services such as marital counseling, sexual disorders and addictive behaviors.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular PracticalAdultInsights contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular PracticalAdultInsights contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon327303

Since a psychotherapist does not prescribe medication, he/she does not need a medical board certification to practice. To practice as a psychotherapist, you do need the psychotherapist board certification to practice.

pollick

Many psychotherapists do hold advanced degrees in psychology, plus years of supervised training in the field. Since a psychotherapist does not prescribe drug treatments like a psychiatrist, however, he or she would not necessarily need special board certification in order to practice. A clergyman can also offer counseling services without becoming a board-certified psychologist or psychiatrist.

anon44060

why is it a pyschotherapist does not need a recognized qualification to practice?

anon25345

what is the difference of a regular therapist and a psychotherapist?

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    • Psychotherapists talk with patients on a one-to-one basis.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Psychotherapists talk with patients on a one-to-one basis.
    • A psychotherapist may help a patient deal with bereavement.
      By: michaeljung
      A psychotherapist may help a patient deal with bereavement.
    • Psychotherapists may be able to help resolve anger issues and prevent future violence.
      By: Monkey Business
      Psychotherapists may be able to help resolve anger issues and prevent future violence.
    • Many psychotherapists specialize in helping the elderly.
      By: Brett Mulcahy
      Many psychotherapists specialize in helping the elderly.
    • A psychotherapist may help to facilitate group therapy sessions.
      By: Monkey Business
      A psychotherapist may help to facilitate group therapy sessions.
    • Psychotherapy may benefit individuals who suffer from chronic stress and anxiety.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Psychotherapy may benefit individuals who suffer from chronic stress and anxiety.