Psychotherapist: A General Overview
Okay, this one can be a bit more confusing. A psychotherapist could be a psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, counselor, or social worker. Generally, this is not a regulated title. It can mean different things to different professionals. Additionally, professionals can have different reasons for using or not using this title.
Some therapist try to avoid using this label or title because they think it makes therapy sound scarier to the consumer. In some situations, this may be true. Other therapist like to use this title because they feel that it is more likely to attract cleints who are really committed to working at therapy.
In general, people who use the term psychotherapy are more likely to practice a "depth therapy" as opposed to a "solution-focused therapy." This distinction is discussed more elsewhere on the web site. In general, depth psychotherapy refers to a type of therapy that is more focused on making deeper changes and increase self-awareness. This approach to therapy often lasts a minimum of 6-months and may go as long as 2 to 3-years or longer. Conversely, solution-focused therapy focuses more on helping clients achieve their goals quickly and often lasts 12-20 weeks (3 to 6 months). Both types of therapy can be effective, but seek a different type of result.