Licensed Psychologist

Patients are always surprised to learn that there are very few laws governing the practice of medicine. In fact, a physician who is licensed to practice medicine on its health - whatever his specialty - can legally give advice to anyone, even if he or she has absolutely no training in psychology at all !

For example, just because a doctor calls himself a psychiatrist is not a guarantee that is actually competent to practice psychiatry. For example, legally, a proctologist, a physician certified as a specialist in disorders of the rectum, may label itself as non-psychiatrist holding a certificate and counseling of adolescents for problems with drugs or psychotherapy for suicidal patients, all with no training in psychology.

A urologist, certified only as a specialist in the treatment of urinary disorders, may again identify themselves as a psychiatrist, but not a certificate, and continue to treat a dangerously bipolar patient, and a dermatologist, actually certified As a specialist in skin disorders could call a psychiatrist himself and treat your child for ADHD, it is all legal and can be done without any training in psychology or mental health treatment.

These three examples may seem ridiculous. But, remember the men and women often get their treatments for depression and anxiety without ever checking, or even caring to see if they visit the doctor holds a certificate in psychiatry?

Do not assume your doctor has the right to exercise the powers of high quality psychological counseling or psychotherapeutic treatment. After all, the certification board even psychiatry is not a guarantee, as most psychiatrists have a certificate of only 3 years of specialized training in mental health treatment.

Most of their training in physiology, chemistry, science and general medicine. Therefore, they usually prescribe drugs and do little, if any, counseling or psychotherapy.

The screen of your therapist possible with three questions:

1. Are you certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology?

Make sure that if your doctor labels himself as a psychiatrist that is certified by the American Board
of Psychiatry and Neurology. If he is, it would mean that it has received specialized training in treating mental health issues.

However, remember that the training of psychiatrists has often focused on physical therapies, such as prescription drugs and even the use of shock treatments. Psychiatrists sometimes receive little training in psychotherapy, counseling or psychological testing.

You know what that means. If you see a psychiatrist that the chances are that you leave with a prescription.

Certainly, there are psychiatrists who are more balanced in their training and does some psychotherapy. However, it is likely that if your doctor has an MD or DO degree, you will walk with a prescription for your treatment as the main or sole.

2. Are you certified or licensed by the State Board of Psychology as a clinical psychologist?

Although there are many thousands of professionals
the United States that some type of counseling or psychotherapy, only a small percentage of them are high-level practitioners who are licensed to practice clinical psychology!

To become a clinical psychologist requires about 6 years of college and specialized graduate training in mental health, counseling, psychotherapy and diagnostic testing. This training is obtained during the last two years of college, followed by about 3-4 years of specialized higher education after college.
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