Fresno Area Psychological Association (FAPA)

LOOKING FOR A PSYCHOLOGIST?

Choosing a therapist is a personal choice and can be difficult. The following are key points to keep in mind as you search for a professional therapist.

First you should determine who needs the services for which issues. Do you need individual, family or couples therapy, and specifically what are the difficulties that you experience? The more specific you can become in your definition, the better you can present your issues to the professionals involved. Next, you should look for a professional trained to provide these services. You can ask friends or relatives for recommendations, or check with your insurance company which often provides a list of providers in your area.

Please CLICK HERE to search our directory of a psychologist

The Board of Psychology provides a web site (www.psychboard.ca.gov) which details this search with more depth and may help guide you further by providing background information on licensed psychologists.

WHO CAN PROVIDE SERVICES?

Mental health services may be provided by many different types of professionals such as social workers, therapists and psychologists. Anyone can advertise that they provide therapy, so savvy consumers should ask questions regarding degrees and licenses in the field.

PSYCHOLOGIST: In order to use this title, the psychologist must have received a doctorate degree plus pass a state board exam consisting of both written and oral exams. Psychologists passing these exams then register with the board of psychology and receive a license. Psychologists are qualified to provide psychological testing which give more in-depth understanding of cognitive, neurological and emotional processing as well as therapy. Psychologists do not prescribe medications.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANTS: Psychological assistants are psychologists in training and must be registered by the board of psychology. They provide limited psychological services under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist or board-certified psychiatrist. Psychological assistants have a master’s degree in psychology and are usually in the process of earning supervised hours towards licensure.

PSYCHIATRIST: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor licensed by the Medical Board of California. They have doctorate degrees in medicine and must board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Psychiatrists prescribe medication. Psychiatrists may also provide psychotherapy for their patients, but this is rare.

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER: Social workers have earned a Master’s degree in Social work and completed a supervised internship. In addition, they must pass examinations to be board certified. Social workers who earn licenses by exams become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS: Also known as MFTs, these professionals are licensed by the board of behavioral sciences. They have earned their master’s degree which requires a two year internship. They must also pass the Board’s written and oral examinations.

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS: Licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, Educational Psychologists must have master’s degrees and at least 3 years of experience as school psychologists. In addition, they are also required to pass a written exam. Educational psychologists may provide limited educational testing only and usually work in schools or private practice. Their services normally revolve around educational services.



OTHER ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Feel free to interview prospective therapists. Ask questions regarding their fee structure, insurance billing, cancellation and emergency practices, how long they’ve been in practice and whether they are familiar with and have had experience working with the type of issues that you wish to discuss.

You may wish to interview a few therapists to find someone with whom you feel comfortable.

You may also wish to give some thought as to whether you would feel more comfortable working with a man or a woman.

Remember, all professional therapists and counselors need to adhere to ethical guidelines. At no time or point is sexual contact appropriate in therapy.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

Theoretical orientation may be of issues for you. This describes the therapists’ basic philosophy and belief system regarding what is causing your distress and how the therapist approaches working with you. Ask your therapist about their theoretical orientation and how they propose to work with the general problem described. Below is a very brief summary of the various different theoretical orientations. If an orientation is not presented below, you may wish to ask for more information as there are various treatment techniques encompassed by the orientations as well as novel techniques or orientations that have not had research support.

Depending upon the referring question and type of problem, different therapeutic approaches may be helpful in differing ways.

BEHAVIORAL: This theory is founded on the belief that behaviors can influence our attitudes and feelings. Based more on physiological responses, clients are taught to pair desired behaviors with reinforcement and extinguish unwanted behaviors with unwanted consequences.

BIOFEEDBACK: Clients learn to utilize monitors of internal functions such as temperature, brain waves or heart rate to assist them in developing awareness of their physiological responses. Biofeedback therapy also helps clients learn how to control some of these physiological responses to improve coping with stress or other health related problems.

COGNITIVE/BEHAVIORAL: In this type of therapy, the therapist takes an educational stance and is usually active in the therapy, directing the patient and providing therapeutic homework. It is based upon the notion that negative emotions are elicited through negative self statements, irrational beliefs and self-defeating behaviors. Due to its nature, cognitive behavioral therapy has traditionally been seen as more time-limited, directive and usually requires that patients have the capacity to examine their inner belief systems and are more verbal.

FAMILY SYSTEMS: The family is seen as an organized system in which each member plays a part. Examination of each member’s specific roles and how those roles affect them in their current relationships is the main focus.

FEMINIST THERAPY: focuses upon assisting women develop an understanding of the traditional molds which may contribute to poor self-esteem and difficulty asserting rights. This is a therapy which is often utilized for victims of sexual and/or spousal abuse.

PLAY THERAPY:   Is based upon some of the precepts of psychodynamic therapy, but utilizes toys, art work and play for both children and adults to examine emotional issues, provide mastery over negative emotion states as well as find alternative solutions. Play therapy is usually utilized with children due to their relatively limited verbal capability, but has been found to be helpful for adults as well.

PSYCHOANALYTIC (encompasses a variety of theories including, psychodynamic, Jungian depth, object and self psychology): This type of therapy usually requires good verbal and insight capabilities. It is based upon the belief that unconscious thoughts, motives and feelings drive our behaviors. The therapist works to help the client reduce symptoms and resolve internal conflicts by raising awareness of unconscious drives through self examination.

SOLUTION FOCUSED: Solution focused treatment begins by pointing out the strengths of the client and tries to assist the client in recognizing when the symptoms diminish or are absent. Utilizing these moments of symptom abatement as a starting point, the therapist works with the client to build upon these moments to decrease the moments of depression and/or anxiety.

ECLECTIC: Since human behavior is vast and varied, eclectic therapist may utilize a variety of theoretical approaches and techniques to assist in the therapeutic process.