Helen Keller once observed, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” Think of all the personal battles that you have fought and won in your life. Change is possible. Feeling better is possible. But it’s much harder to overcome suffering without the support of friends, family, and sometimes mental health experts. Professional care is sometimes the best way to improve your situation quickly, with long-lasting positive effects.
The licensed psychologists at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA have the expertise, insight, and compassion to help people achieve their goals in life. A Thriveworks client might see a psychologist for a serious mental health condition like depression. But people from all walks of life, with all kinds of issues, arrive at the Thriveworks office to speak to a mental health provider. You don’t need to be actively suffering to see a psychologist. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to who will really listen.
What Does a Psychologist Do?
Psychologists at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA are licensed mental health care specialists. They usually have doctorate degrees (PhDs or PsyDs) in psychology. They may also have masters degrees. Their field can be counseling psychology or clinical psychology, and they are trained in a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches.
Other mental health providers at Thriveworks include the following:
- Psychiatrists (MDs), who prescribe medication and do psychotherapy.
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs), who provide solution-focused counseling and psychotherapy.
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), who provide counseling and practical guidance for social services.
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), who provide couples, marriage, and family counseling.
The term “psychotherapist” refers to any licensed professional who performs psychotherapy, aka talk therapy. It’s often used as a generic term for any mental health provider. Some people also use “therapist” interchangeably with “counselor”, though the specialties are different.
Who Can Benefit from Therapy?
Anyone can benefit from therapy. If a person hasn’t benefited from therapy sessions in the past, they probably didn’t have the right therapist! A professional therapist’s goal is to help you. You can evaluate therapists until you find one who will be the best match for your personality and your concerns. At Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA, the psychology team can assist patients with any of the following issues, and many more:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- Eating disorders and weight difficulties
- Family estrangements
- Relationship conflicts
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Specific phobias
- Overwhelming feelings
- Fixations and obsessions
- Feelings of disconnection
- Guilt or shame
- Grief
- Insecurity
If a client is suffering from a serious mental health condition that may require prescription medication, the psychologist can refer someone to a psychiatrist for a full evaluation. The psychiatrist can determine whether there’s an underlying neurochemical imbalance that might respond well to antidepressants, for instance. At Thriveworks, psychologists and psychiatrists work together to get people the help they need.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a method of helping people achieve their mental health goals through talking. Psychotherapy can address everything from troubling behaviors to questions about the meaning of life. Psychotherapy can also help to reduce the symptoms of mental health conditions. At Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA, psychologists can use any of the following treatments to encourage good mental health:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Exposure therapy, especially for phobias
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Psychoanalysis
- Interpersonal therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing
- Mindfulness therapy
- Supportive-expressive therapy
- Biofeedback
- Art and music therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Lifestyle modifications like increased exercise or reduced caffeine
- Substance abuse counseling
- Family therapy or couples counseling
About 75% of all the people who try psychotherapy report positive effects.
Meet Your Exceptional Psychologist at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA
Psychologists at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA can meet with clients in-person at the modern office. They can also meet with clients through online counseling sessions. These sessions are convenient, comfortable, and flexible for clients who live in rural areas or who can’t take time off work to see a therapist. Online sessions can even take place on evenings and weekends. Some Thriveworks clients choose a hybrid model of virtual sessions and in-person sessions.
Thriveworks psychologists are all fully licensed, thus they accept most major forms of health insurance. Health insurance plans can help make therapy affordable for all who need it. Thriveworks also offers reasonable self-pay rates.
When you call Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA, you can see your therapist quickly. Most clients meet with their provider within 24-48 hours of their initial call or online booking. As an additional benefit, Thriveworks clients can access their provider by phone or email between sessions. Appointments start on-time or early over 97% of the time.
Call Thriveworks today to get started with your path to better mental health. We look forward to matching you to an exceptional psychologist!
