| Qualifications Page 2 Information About the Mental Health Professions Presented by Alan R. Eastman, DCH |
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Education: A Psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor who has undergone specialized post-graduate internship as a psychiatric resident. To the best of my knowledge Psychiatrists have little formal schooling in theory and psychotherapy, but have a lot of hands on intensive psychiatric training.
Theory: Most Psychiatrists generally invoke the medical model as it relates to illness. The biological component is stressed. In my opinion this is the avenue to pursue when there is an expressed biological component to the illness. This is the appropriate avenue to follow in cases of major depressive illness, anxiety, suicide risk clients, and other major psychiatric illness.
Costs: In Canada psychiatric treatment is covered by the health care insurance of each Province. In the United States and in other areas of the world a Psychiatrist may charge from $125- $200 per hour.
Education: The education for a Psychologist to become chartered and registered varies in each Province and State. Generally a Psychologist has at least a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Most Psychologist have a least a Master's degree in Psychology or related discipline, some places require a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree in Psychology along with clinical internship to become chartered. In Australia to become a Psychologist you must have an honors Bachelors degree in Psychology with clinical supervision. In Alberta to be a Psychologist you must have a Masters degree or equivalent and participate in at least 1600 hours of post-graduate clinical supervision. If you are interested in the requirements in each state or province it is best to call a Psychologist in your region for clarification.
Theory: There are many schools of thought within the Psychology profession. There are upwards of 200 different types of therapies. Most Psychologists are generalists and are able to use many different types of therapies which will best help their clients. It is best to talk to the particular therapist about what types of therapy they practice and how they can best help you with your concerns and to achieve your goals and dreams.
Costs: Costs vary from each Province and State. Generally the costs are from $90-$120 per session. The costs of a Psychologist can be covered by most insurance plans up to a certain limit. Check with your own insurance plan to see if you are covered, and check out the requirements of having your visit covered. Most insurance companies will stipulate just who you can see and the degree requirements of the particular therapist.
Education: These therapists have an advanced degree, usually a Masters or Doctoral, along with a clinical internship. Again each State and Province has different requirements as to licensing requirements. For instance, in Alberta, Canada there are no licensing requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists. Marriage and Family therapists usually become members of their respective registering body such as, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Theory: The usual school of thought is systems theory. Systems theory basically is how the individual relates to the whole of the environment around the individual.
Costs: The usual cost of a Marriage and Family Therapist ranges from $60 to $100 per session. Marriage and Family Therapists may or may not be covered by private insurance plans, please check with your therapist or insurance plan for more information.
Education: These therapists have a degree in Social Work. Generally to be a RSW you must possess a Bachelor's in Social Work. If a Social Worker continues into private practice the therapist will usually possess a Masters of Social Work, along with clinical supervision. Again each State and Province has different requirements for registration, however all Social Workers generally belong to their registering association.
As an example, in Alberta, Canada registered social workers may apply to be listed in a private practice roster, applicants are screened for competence in private practice. In addition, in Alberta, Social Workers may also be granted admission to the private practice roster for the Canadian Association of Social Workers, which requires even a greater degree of competence in private practice.
Theory: Social Systems, systems theory, and other related psychological theories.
Costs: A social worker in private practice will usually charge from $40 to $100 per session.
Education: Varied degrees in various schools of training ranging from social work, sociology, psychology, counselling. Degrees range from a Bachelors to Ph.D. counsellors. Some States and Provinces have a LPC designation, the Licensed Professional Counsellor. To get the LPC designation you must possess a Master's Degree. In some States and Provinces there are no legal requirements to be a counsellor. For instance In British Columbia, Canada, you can become a Licensed Professional Counsellor with a Master's Degree; on the other hand, in Alberta, Canada, there is no such association for registering professional counsellors, and there are no licensing requirements for counsellors in Alberta.
Theory: Spanning the full spectrum of the social sciences.
Costs: The cost of a counsellor ranges from $25 to $100 per session. Some counsellors and agencies have what is called a ‘sliding scale' which means that you pay according to your means and ability to pay. Other counsellors will have fixed rates.
Education: There are Psychologist's, and Psychiatrists, and Counsellors who practice hypnotherapy. The training to be a Hypnotherapist spans from 50 hour introductory courses to full state approved degrees in hypnotherapy.
Theory: Within the hypnosis realm there are a multitude of different theories of practice, ranging from Ericksonian, Guided Imagery, Suggestion Based hypnosis.... to name a few. It is best to check with your Hypnotist as to what specific types of hypnosis they practice.
Costs: Generally rates range from $60 to $150 per session depending on the geographical region, the therapist, and the time involved. Generally a Psychologist who practices hypnotherapy can bill sessions to your third party, or personal insurance plan. "Lay" hypnotists generally can not bill insurance companies for treatment, however this is about to change in the State of California, where only those practitioners with their Doctorate Degree in Hypnotherapy will be able to bill insurance companies.
I should ad that the information being posted on this site is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and research; however, there may be information which needs to be clarified. If you can add to or clarify this information in any way please e-mail me and let me know.
Let me say again that every Province and State has different rules and regulations. There are licenced professionals and there are unlicenced professionals. The qualifications of each professional varies. It is up to each consumer to be responsibly aware and choose the person who will work best with their concern. Your therapist and you must form a rapport in order for therapy to proceed. You must feel comfortable and safe in the therapy environment. Of course, it is up to the client to examine the credentials of the therapist they choose. Ethical therapists are open and honest as to their ability to help the particular client. If the therapist does not feel they can help the client to the best of their training then a referral to another therapist is in order. It may take a client a number of ‘tries' to find the right therapist. If you as the client don't feel like you are being helped by a particular therapist it is time to move on and find a therapist you feel comfortable with. Registration with a governing board, malpractice insurance, and a well trained therapist are required for the client to be protected and confident that they are receiving ethical treatment by a professional therapist.
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