Types of Therapists

Modified: 2009-11-29

Many types of therapy and therapist exist. The common rule of thumb is that if your current therapy is not working, switch. What kinds of therapy exist? Here is a short and non-inclusive list:

Clinical psychologist
- Scientist-practioner (Boulder model)
- Has Ph.D. degree
- Has one year internship
- Works with disturbed clients
Counseling psychologist
- Scientist-practioner (Boulder model)
- Has Ph.D. degree
- Has one year internship
- Works with normal clients
Psychiatrist
- Physician
- Has M.D. degree
- Has medical internship and residency in psychiatry (3 years)
- Works with disturbed and normal patients
Psychoanalyst
- Psychiatrist or psychologist with all requirements above +
- Admission to a psychoanalytic institute (3 years)
- Performs own psychoanalysis
- Becoming rarer
Social Worker
- Social work emphasis (i.e., a systems approach)
- Has MSW degree
- Has one year intership
- Works with normal and disturbed clients

URLs

Theories and Approaches in Psychotherapy--index, basic , short, links, graphics

Covers the following approaches: Adlerian, Gestalt, client-centered, psychoanalytic, Jungian, cognitive behavior, existential, reality, behavior, and transactional analysis. http://www.gallaudet.edu/~11mgourn/

How to Choose a Psychologist--text, basic, long, links, graphics

From APA, provides advice on how to choose a psychotherapist. http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/howto.html

Types of Therapies--text, interm., long, links, graphics

Describes four different approaches to therapy: psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic (existential), and eclectic. http://www.grohol.com/therapy.htm

Psychoanalytic Resources--index, basic, medium, links, graphics

Page on modern psychoanalysis, contains links to: FAQ, Jung, Klein, Lacan, Laing, miscellaneous resources and institutes, and more. http://www.umdnj.edu/psyevnts/psa.html

Glossary of Mental Health Terms--index, basic, short, links, graphics, search

Page allows user to see definitions of commonly used terms in mental health. http://www.findcounseling.com/

Therapy FAQ--FAQ, basic, short, links, graphics

Answers 13 common questions about therapy: why go to a therapist, what kind of therapist do I choose, when should I end therapy, and more. http://abulafia.st.hmc.edu/~mmiles/faq.html

Disorders and Treatment--index, basic, long, links, graphics

Page consists of a comprehensive list of disorders and their treatments. http://www.cmhc.com/disorders/

Group Psychotherapy for the Layman--text, basic, medium, links, graphics

Linked text page describes and discusses group psychotherapy: how does it work, who can benefit from group psychotherapy, what is expected from the participant, and more. http://freud.tau.ac.il/~haimw/group1.html

Dr. Magoo's Office--index, basic, short, links, graphics

Page has six links to childhood behavioral problems (anxiety disorders, behavioral disorders, developmental problems, disorders of physical functioning, psychotic disorders, and other problems). Clicking on the problem reveals a linked list of cases. Clicking on each case reveals therapies for that case. http://tuweb.ucis.dal.ca/~drmagoo/intro.htm

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