While it’s a great help to have so many different counseling services available to us, it can sometimes be difficult to know what’s right for you. Individuals with difficulties ranging from schizophrenia to career dissatisfaction to marriage problems may seek out a mental health professional, but it’s important to know what type of therapist you should look for. The specifics of several types of practitioners are explained below.
Going to a Therapist
The title of therapist is the broadest of the three terms: a therapist might be licensed in stress management, marital counseling, grief counseling, or a range of other realms. You might want to go to therapy because of a significant life change or loss, or you might be looking to further some personal goals. Psychologist and life coaches are types of therapists, but often take on more specific roles and have more specific degrees than your therapist might.
Psychologists and Psychological Testing
While a therapist may have a range of licenses or degrees, being a psychologist means having a psychology degree from an accredited university or college. These types of mental health professionals are trained to diagnose mental illnesses or disorders and may work in combination with a psychiatrist, who prescribes medicines for those possible disorders. Someone working through bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, for instance, would likely want to go to a psychologist for evaluation, while someone recovering from infidelity or seeking premarital counseling might be better off with a therapist licensed in those areas.
Life Coaching: Reach Your Goals
While psychology and therapy generally help individuals examine past events and work through issues associated with those, life coaches look toward the future. If you’re feeling dissatisfied with your career, a recent life change, or personal goals, you could seek out a life coach, some of whom are part of counseling centers that also include other types of mental health services. Life coaches can help you to do several things:
- Figure out obstacles or problems
- Learn and practice techniques for overcoming those obstacles
- Set goals for the future
- Take pride in and celebrate your achievements
The sessions will vary widely depending on your needs and desires, and as you work with your life coach, you’ll develop personal strategies that aid you in crafting a fulfilling life for yourself. Whether you’re focused on those future goals, struggling with a mental disorder, or need help sorting through a marital problem, seeking out the right McKinney counselor can help you move forward. At our North Dallas counseling center, you can gain access to the help you want, no matter what kind of counselor you need.
