Psychology is a branch of science that investigates human cognitive states, actions, and conduct. Simply put, psychology is the scientific study of the mind concerning its effects on human activities and behaviors. So, what exactly is a psychologist? It’s a straight deduction that people who practice psychology are known as psychologists (also known as psychotherapists). However, that doesn’t effectively explain who a psychologist is. 2
Read on in this article to learn more about what psychologists can treat and how to find a psychologist near you who best suits your recovery needs.
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Our team is standing by to address your questions. Your call is confidential and no obligation is required.
A psychologist is a highly trained medical professional specializing in the study of the mind (mental health) and its effects on behaviors and actions. Beyond just studying mental health conditions, however, a psychologist is also knowledgeable about the various indications and best treatment procedures for treating and managing mental health conditions. 3
There are several different types of psychologists, each type with its area of specialization. As such, there are several possible places you’ll be able to find a psychologist. A simple google search of “psychologists near me” should leave you with some ideas of where to find a psychologist. However, if you would instead not do a “psychologists near me” search, you should know that there are several places where you’ll be able to work as or find a psychologist.
Some psychologists prefer the option of a private practice where they work directly with clients. Others may opt for public practice, which will allow them to work in several institutions such as schools, jails, community health centers, hospitals, and even rehabilitation clinics. There is also a third option of research. Psychologists who prefer not to “practice” or interact with individuals directly can work in research institutions that focus on making discoveries and improving the knowledge base of psychology.4
As mentioned earlier, the mind is a very vast space with countless unknowns. Hence, several fields of discipline aim to improve man’s understanding of the mental and its effects on actions and behaviors, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists. Some people use these terms interchangeably, but these professions are different, each with a specific, unique characteristic.
One of their key objectives is to assess their clients’ thought and idea patterns and identify the links between these patterns to observable behaviors and actions. They usually accomplish this by doing the following:
A psychiatrist is a licensed health professional specializing in preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental diseases. A psychiatrist is educated to distinguish between mental health issues and other physical illnesses that may appear with psychiatric symptoms. Beyond diagnosis, however, psychiatrists are also authorized to issue prescriptions since they are licensed medical practitioners. A psychologist, however, is not permitted to give prescriptions to individuals, so they mostly only handle the “psychotherapy” part of things. A psychologist will usually only handle mental illness cases that do not require medication for treatment in private practice. 7
Some of the mental illnesses psychologists can help treat include:
In addition to the above, health psychologists take part in individual or group therapies and conduct several types of research. They could investigate the causes of mental health issues and how to prevent them. They may also assist individuals in comprehending and accepting a medical diagnosis or sticking to a treatment plan to improve treatment outcomes. 16
A neuropsychologist is a mental health professional specializing in identifying and diagnosing several neurological health disorders. 17
Neuropsychologists help detect the presence of neurological diseases like dementia and help determine the stage and severity of the neurological condition. From their diagnosis, they can also suggest treatment procedures that will help improve the individual’s condition. 18
Rehabilitation psychologists study several disabilities and chronic health conditions to provide excellent quality of care and support. They help people who have a disability or chronic health diagnosis accept their diagnosis and adapt to new living requirements and conditions. They are also typically in charge of developing appropriate treatment plans after individual examination and diagnosis. 19
If you’re ready to start your recovery journey, contact us. Our team members are here to help you, and we look forward to getting to know you and growing alongside you.
At EHW, we accept health insurance plans from most providers. If you are covered by a private or commercial insurance policy, your plan may cover your substance use and mental health treatment costs.