Is this discipline fairly legitimate, or are they like the Chiropractors of mental health?

Are you asking about a licensed psychologist?

There are good ones and bad ones. Some (not all) go into the profession because they have serious mental issues themselves and they use their profession to mask their own mental issues.

My ex was one such specimen. Serious mental issues (voices in her head, cutting herself, sexually confused), yet after going nuclear on our marriage, she changed her college direction from veterinary science to psychology.

She later became a mental health professional and still does it today.

The profession itself has merit and a good one will use tools to help people with mental issues cope with their lives if that is a possibility.

The key is finding a good match of a therapist with the appropriate experience to the right patient.

Tony.

quote:

Are you asking about a licensed psychologist?

No. A psychologist is a medical doctor. I'm talking about a LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).

Tell me about your childhood and I'll tell you why you're acting the way you are sort of thing.

^^^^^^

No, a psychiatrist is an MD. A psychologist could be a PhD, or in some cases have a Bachelor’s + Master’s degree.

I’d say the level of effectiveness depends greatly on the nature of the problem. I’m sure that venting to someone with a good understanding of typical mental health issues can be helpful for some, but if a patient is suffering from clinical depression, meds (from an MD)are likely to be needed.

Mostly snake oil IMO.

This should be interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
A psychologist is a medical doctor.

I believe you’re referring to psychiatrists.
Psychologists are not necessarily MDs.

Psychiatrist - MD
Psychologist - PhD in Psychology
Licensed Mental Health Counselor - Masters in Psychology, counseling or related.

The answer to your question is Yes. There are legit and there are snake oil salesmen who have no business counseling people - just like any other profession.

I've seen people go to counseling and make a complete change in their life and we've all seen the opposite as well. Depends on if the person truly has a medical issue or truly wants help and to change their life.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
A psychologist is a medical doctor.

I believe you’re referring to psychiatrists.
Psychologists are not necessarily MDs.

Psychologists are not MDs. Period.

There are good ones and there are flake ones. It all depends on the situation and the people involved.

I won't paint them all with a broad brush.

quote:

I believe you’re referring to psychiatrists.
Psychologists are not necessarily MDs.

You are correct. In this particular practice the Psychologists are PHDs, and there are no Psychiatrists which are MDs.

In either event the parties in question are lower down that totem pole.

A clinical psychologist completes nine years of training which includes an internship. They are licensed in all 50 states at the doctoral level. They typically do not prescribe medications although it is permitted in a few states where additional training in pharmacology has taken place. Psychologists are trained to diagnose and frequently provide psychotherapy. They are viewed as physicians under the Medicare program.
LPCs are lower level providers who typically have a masters degree and one or two years of training.
Psychiatrists complete medical school and then complete a residency in psychiatry which may be a total of four or so additional years. The older psychiatrists are trained to do psychotherapy, the younger ones typically do medication management.

Data exists to answer your question. Just need to look at the indication, population and intervention and the results are likely available.

quote:

Originally posted by BamaJeepster:

Psychiatrist - MD
Psychologist - PhD in Psychology
Licensed Mental Health Counselor - Masters in Psychology, counseling or related.

Add to that list, Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Masters in (Psychiatric) Social Work.

quote:

some (not all) go into the profession because they have serious mental issues themselves and they use their profession to mask their own mental issues

My dads cousin, whom I am named after, said the same thing...he was a head shrinker and he told me most of them are just fucked up and trying to figure out themselves.

quote:

some (not all) go into the profession because they have serious mental issues themselves and they use their profession to mask their own mental issues

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In quality programs these individuals are weeded out and encouraged to go into research. It is the same way with all professions.

a1abdj, you have mail.

My wife is an LCSW who is also a clinical diagnostician determining how early Autism can be detected during infancy. She is also a certified counselor.

It’s good for kids with certain issues, autism, and end of life counseling. She also works at a cancer center and has to see kids who are losing a parent to cancer. So it’s good for people who need a nudge in the right direction in how to deal with stuff.

There are people with a heart of gold, who are selfless and committed to help their fellowman.

There are heartless bastards, that will suck the breath of life from a newborn, to live another 5 minutes.

And there are million shades of gray in between those bookends.

And all of those become doctors, lawyers, cops, teachers, blue collar workers, top level executives, judges, mothers, fathers, warriors, ad naseaum.

It's a people thing.

There is science and witchcraft in the areas of mental health.

Sad that so many fall through the cracks given the weak nature of the fabric of all that is the mental health profession. (or, all doctoring....)

Me?

I am rolling the dice, having a "list" in my head of the good things and the bad things to eat, drink and partake, doing my best to lean to the good as often as I can, and not worrying too much about the down side of the list.

And trusting that the Creator, designed all these things to work in my favor for the time allotted.

I have smelled the breath of death more times than I care to recall, but I have no fear of "him", only that I want to run out the clock, keeping the ball as long as I can, and enjoy every damned bit of it.

And doing my level best to not harm another, without just cause, in the game.

Not quite the answer to the question.

Maybe...