Psychotherapy?

[glitter]

This might sound really, really stupid...but what exactly is it?
Like, how is a psychotherapist different from say, a psychologist?
Asking because the psychotherapy team are attending my CPA to see what they can offer me, but I have no idea what they actually do! I've had CBT before, but that was with a nurse...and I've seen a few psychologists and psychiatrists, but this is the first time that a psychotherapist has been mentioned and i'm clueless. Does anyone know what they actually do? Has anyone had experience with them, found them helpful or unhelpful? What are waiting lists generally like?
Thanks x

[slacker]

now i could be wrong here but...

psychotherapists generally train in a particular form of therapy and that's what they do. end of

psychologists - many different types (clinical, counselling, educational...) but those in child & adolescent and/or adult mental health tend to be clinical or counselling types. they train across a range of disciplines and work with symptoms rather than dish out labels. they often practice therapy and are trained in several therapeutic approaches, they don't (or shouldn't) diagnose (they 'formulate') and often work alongside psychiatrists for appropriate medication

nurse specialists train in therapies too but not as deeply trained as a counsellor

a counsellor trains just in therapy is usually not as deeply trained as a psychotherapist

a psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in mental health

you can get brilliant and crap practitioners across all these disciplines and waiting lists are usually a postcode lottery... for some its two weeks for others its two years and anything in between

counselling tends to be more short-term than psychotherapy. the old addage is 'counsellors shore up anxieties and psychotherapists open them up' which means you go deeper over a longer period of time for a deeper healing

best thing is to know what they think you 'have' (your labels) that needs 'treatement' or 'therapy'. dig around what the appropriate therapies are for those issues, and then ask when you're seen what the therapeutic approaches the psychotherapist(s) offer... being an intelligent customer is i reckon a good thing

i hope this is helpful

[glitter]

Yes it is, thankyou!
I suppose I do have a few issues that a psychotherapist could work with, then...just I hate talking about myself so am a bit worried now that it will be a waste of time.

[tamobhuuta]

i've had a few psychotherapy sessions recently. mostly we've just talked, about life, stuff, things i think and sometimes we've "explored" why i think some of the them. i don't think i've ever seen a psychologist so i don't know how they compare, sorry. hope the meeting goes well.

[glitter]

I'm so happy
I may be sticking with my CAMHS psychologist
and having him as my therapist
yayayayayayyayay

[slacker]

excellent news!

[EyelinerAndCigarettes]

I have a pyschotherapist & shes great :)
Great news on your psychologist!
x x x

[tamobhuuta]

that's great news :)