Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?

A clinical psychologist has a doctorate, Ph.D., in human behavior. Clinical psychologists evaluate, diagnose, and create treatment plans for individuals. In order to help someone address an issue, a clinical psychologist will take a psychosocial history, ask about current physical and emotional symptoms, conduct a Mental Status Exam, and possibly administer psychological testing. This information is used to develop a treatment plan to help an individual. Goals may include helping develop new thinking patterns, more self awareness, or simply assist in accessing personality strengths present in other areas of functioning.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, M.D., who completed medical school. This mental health professional is trained to diagnosis clinical syndromes in order to provide medication and or psychoanalytic treatment.

How long will counseling take?

The length of time in counseling depends on a person’s motivation or desire to change and the personality strengths already present. Real change means overcoming psychological pain by confronting troubling issues and facing the risk of the unknown. Some people want the issue or pain to go away without wanting to permanently change their thinking and behavior, while other people are expecting to learn a new way of thinking and living. Counseling works for the person who sincerely wants a change in their life.