Job Description Of Psychotherapist San Francisco CA

By Patricia Harris


When dealing with psychological issues, it can often be difficult for the medical professional and client. For, while a psychotherapist San Francisco CA can treat a number of different conditions, the individual may be more in need of a psychiatrist or psychologist. While this is the case, there are many areas in which a psychotherapist can be of help including applied behavior analysis or ABA or, in helping individuals resolve and overcome negative behavioral habits or patterns.

Psychotherapy is often used to help people overcome problems and change negative behavioral patterns. One of the primary goals of the practice is to improve overall mental and physical health and well being. Whereas, in more difficult cases, the therapy is used to resolve issues related to emotions, beliefs, thoughts, compulsions while improving social skills.

Currently, there are more than 1,000 techniques being used by psychotherapists around the world. In most cases, these individuals focus on ethical aspects in different areas in the field of psychology. For example, if an individual goes to a Christian based psychologist or psychotherapist, most often individuals will be counseled on how to live a more religious or spiritual based life in order to overcome issues. Whereas, psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists working in the secular sector often offer treatment based on text book answers and past experience.

In most cases, psychotherapists tend to work one-on-one with clients, though some may also work with family or group therapy. Any mental health professional with the proper training and certification can provide psychotherapy or identify as a psychotherapist. These individuals include, professional counselors, family therapists, marriage counselors, clinical social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists.

The American Psychological Association or APA now sees psychotherapy as a valid practice and an aspect of ABA. In addition, the organization has now accepted psychotherapy as part and parcel to a socially accepted and authorized relationship between client and therapist. For the most part, due to the number of successes which have been proved by psychotherapists over the last 10 years.

Definitions can overlap when it comes to the jobs of psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Although, each of these positions provide different forms of treatment. As such, it is important to know in which field one desires to specialize before registering and paying for college or filing a degree plan. For those desiring to become psychiatrists, individuals must hold a four year degree in a Bachelors of Science and attend medical school, followed by an internship and residency.

In addition to applied behavior analysis, sociotherapy and somotherapy also reside under the umbrella of psychotherapy. For, both use techniques associated with the practice. These techniques include using an individual's past illnesses and injuries to effect change when it comes to somatherapy. Whereas, sociotherapy practitioners often use ABA to change behavior in social settings. While a non-traditional aspect of treatment, a number of psychotherapists will also provide spiritual guidance to clients upon request.

Some therapists use an improvisational or interpretative approach to treat clients such as Freud. Whereas, as this is considered psychoanalysis, it too is in a different category than traditional psychotherapy. Regardless, most therapists provide services based on a client's profile and needs. As such, most psychotherapists include a combination of treatments from within the larger psychological community based on client needs.




About the Author: