Locating The Right Psychotherapist San Francisco CA

By Patricia Harris


When it comes to psychological issues, there are often practitioners which provide counseling and therapeutic services in a number of specialized areas. For example, a Psychotherapist San Francisco CA may focus on one specific area or provide service in a multitude of areas. While this is the case, the background and education of these individuals often have the same requirements before a therapist can work with clients.

While often used to help individuals in these areas, the goal of most psychotherapists is to help heal the body, mind and soul of each client. In more difficult situations, the therapy can also be used to help cease, mold and shape negative social skills, compulsions, beliefs, thoughts and emotions to a healthy and more positive state.

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.

Recently, the American Psychological Association began recognizing psychotherapy as an official practice associated with applied behavior analysis or ABA. While it took some time to get to this point, the association now sees the practice as being an aspect of ABA. For, a number of psychotherapists have proved that various aspects of psychotherapy can be used to provide healing in a number of different areas.

While there are differing practices, procedures and techniques among therapists, the definitions tend to overlap among professionals working in the field of psychology. Although, most psychologists and psychiatrists work with clients on an ongoing or long term basis. Whereas, clients of professional counselors and psychotherapists often respond to treatment more quickly.

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.




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