Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A Guide To Finding A Portland Therapist

By Tonia Michael


If life in the City of Roses doesn't seem so rosy anymore, you may want to consider therapy. There is a variety of professionals who can help you deal with your problems and improve your state of mind. Choosing a Portland therapist may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be.

To tackle the difficult task, you first need to think about the therapy that will be most suitable. This will be determined by two main factors. What you can afford to pay will especially affect whether you should opt for psychiatry, psychoanalysis with a psychologist or sessions with a counselor. The nature of what it is that's bothering you is a determining factor too.

Usually the most costly therapy is psychiatry. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who looks at the physical factors that cause mental health problems. Many mental health problems are actually as a result of some chemical imbalance, usually in the brain, and medication can fix this. However, this treatment is most successful if it goes hand in hand with psychotherapy, which a psychiatrist should offer too.

A psychologist uses psychotherapy as well, but cannot prescribe you any medicine. Here the focus is on finding non-medical solutions to your problems and instead of focusing on the physical, the psychologist will look at the way you react to circumstances, how your behavior affects your life and how you can alter your reactions and behavior to improve your life. Sometimes a psychologist may refer you to a psychiatrist for medication too.

A counselor tends to use less time, usually only a few weeks, to focus on one problem instead of several issues. He or she will give you advice, but mainly provides an environment where you can talk freely and openly about what's bothering you. Organizations like women's shelters or Veterans' Associations often offer free counseling, for example to help you work through abuse or post traumatic stress disorder. There are also couples and family counselors who help people with their relationships, and counselors who specialize in other areas like career counseling or drug rehabilitation counseling.

When you've decided what type of therapy you want, you can look for a therapist in a directory of health-care providers in Portland. There are several online directories. Try to choose a service provider whose offices are near your home or work. In this way it will be easier for you to attend regular sessions.

One of the most important parts of therapy is that you feel comfortable and safe with the person providing the treatment. There are many types of therapy, so ask about the one that you will receive. If you don't get along with the therapist or if the type of therapy is not for you, find another one.

Many people think that therapy is as quick and easy as popping a pill. However, it requires hard work and commitment from your side to be effective. If you're prepared to give it your all, regular sessions with a Portland therapist will be a really great investment.




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