By Tonia Michael
If things in the Rose City are getting you down, you may benefit from therapy. A Portland therapist can help you to look at things in a new way and to get your smile back. It can seem overwhelming to find the right one for you with all the possibilities available. However, it's really quite simple if you know how to go about it.
When choosing who to go to, you first have to consider your budget or what your health plan is willing to cover. You also have to think about the type of problem you have. Then you can decide whether you want to see a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a counselor.
A psychiatrist usually offers the most expensive type of therapy, since he or she is a medical doctor. Psychiatry usually focuses on the physical causes of mental health issues. For example, depression is often a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain and with the right medication, this imbalance can be rectified and the depression can be brought under control. However, a good psychiatrist will not only prescribe you a few pills and expect you to get better. He or she will also use psychotherapy to let you talk about what is bothering you and to find ways to deal with these problems by altering your behavior.
A psychologist will use psychotherapy too, but without the medicine. The psychologist looks mainly at how your feelings, reactions and behaviors affect you. He or she will help you see how you can change things for the better. In severe cases the psychologist may get a psychiatrist's help so that you can take medication as well. Psychologists and psychiatrists usually work with a patient over a long period of time.
One of the more economic options is to see a counselor. While treatment by a psychiatrist or psychologist tends to be long term, a counselor looks at a particular issue and will try to help you resolve this in a couple of weeks. The issue doesn't have to be one of mental health. Couples or families often go to counselors to help their relationships, for instance. There are organizations that have free counseling services, such as the police or women's organizations offering rape trauma counseling.
Once you have decided on the type of therapist you need, you can find one in a directory of health practitioners in the city. It is a good idea to choose one that is close to the area where you live or work. Since you will see this person quite often, especially in the beginning, you don't want to travel too far to get there.
One of the most important parts of therapy is that you feel comfortable and safe with the person providing the treatment. There are many types of therapy, so ask about the one that you will receive. If you don't get along with the therapist or if the type of therapy is not for you, find another one.
Remember that therapy is not a quick fix. Your Portland therapist cannot solve your problems for you without your input. You need to commit and do some hard work too. If you're willing to do this, though, you will find that therapy may have been one of the best investments you've ever made.
When choosing who to go to, you first have to consider your budget or what your health plan is willing to cover. You also have to think about the type of problem you have. Then you can decide whether you want to see a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a counselor.
A psychiatrist usually offers the most expensive type of therapy, since he or she is a medical doctor. Psychiatry usually focuses on the physical causes of mental health issues. For example, depression is often a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain and with the right medication, this imbalance can be rectified and the depression can be brought under control. However, a good psychiatrist will not only prescribe you a few pills and expect you to get better. He or she will also use psychotherapy to let you talk about what is bothering you and to find ways to deal with these problems by altering your behavior.
A psychologist will use psychotherapy too, but without the medicine. The psychologist looks mainly at how your feelings, reactions and behaviors affect you. He or she will help you see how you can change things for the better. In severe cases the psychologist may get a psychiatrist's help so that you can take medication as well. Psychologists and psychiatrists usually work with a patient over a long period of time.
One of the more economic options is to see a counselor. While treatment by a psychiatrist or psychologist tends to be long term, a counselor looks at a particular issue and will try to help you resolve this in a couple of weeks. The issue doesn't have to be one of mental health. Couples or families often go to counselors to help their relationships, for instance. There are organizations that have free counseling services, such as the police or women's organizations offering rape trauma counseling.
Once you have decided on the type of therapist you need, you can find one in a directory of health practitioners in the city. It is a good idea to choose one that is close to the area where you live or work. Since you will see this person quite often, especially in the beginning, you don't want to travel too far to get there.
One of the most important parts of therapy is that you feel comfortable and safe with the person providing the treatment. There are many types of therapy, so ask about the one that you will receive. If you don't get along with the therapist or if the type of therapy is not for you, find another one.
Remember that therapy is not a quick fix. Your Portland therapist cannot solve your problems for you without your input. You need to commit and do some hard work too. If you're willing to do this, though, you will find that therapy may have been one of the best investments you've ever made.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.garyfink.com for more helpful information about Finding The Portland Therapist For You