Which Professional Should I Seek Help From?
If you've already read the other pages in this section, the answer to this question should come as no surprise: It depends! This is especially true if you are looking for therapy or counseling services. All of the professionals discussed in this section may provide therapy services. Additionally, there are excellent therapists from each of these backgrounds.
What is important is to find a therapist who is the right fit for you and your needs. A therapist who is a good fit is someone you feel comfortable with and is qualified to work with the particular issues you wish to work on in therapy.
If you are seeking services other than therapy, different types of professionals may be a better fit. For example, if you are wanting to consider medication, then a psychiatrist is generally the best choice. If you are trying to connect with a professional that can help you find appropriate mental health resources, a social worker may be the best choice.
As someone who is seeking to become an informed consumer, one thing you may want to consider is how much information about the professional you are able to obtain. Does he or she provide you with information to help you make a decision about if they are the right fit for you? If not, then the lack of information or openness to providing this information may be a sign that it's not the right fit for you as an informed consumer.