The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung once stated, “I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” Psychologists today understand that the human mind is always changing and adapting. And if our thoughts and behaviors are capable of changing, that means we can learn–with expert guidance–how to change them ourselves, for the better. Counselors and other mental health providers may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people reexamine and modify their preexisting thought processes and underlying beliefs. Sometimes a therapist’s role is to help people unlearn maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Other times a therapist’s role is to help people develop new communication skills or coping mechanisms. But all exceptional counselors, like those at Thriveworks in Encinitas, CA, share one major role: to help you become the best person you can be.
When you choose to seek counseling at Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Encinitas, you are choosing not to remain stagnant, not to remain stuck in your same mental ruts. You are choosing to grow as a person. And at Thriveworks you can address your personal goals in a safe, supportive, compassionate environment with a fully licensed, top-rated counselor.
Are Counselors and Therapists the Same Thing?
Many people use the words counselor and therapist interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing. Counselors often focus on specific problems whereas therapists (aka psychotherapists or talk therapists) might have a broader treatment scope. You may also see some of the following mental health providers on the Thriveworks roster:
- Psychologists (PsyDs or PhDs), who can be counseling psychologists or clinical psychologists
- Psychiatrists (MDs), who can prescribe medications
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), who work with couples and families
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), who provide counseling
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs), who provide counseling
“Psychotherapist” is a bit of an umbrella term for anyone trained in and licensed to perform psychotherapy. Psychotherapists can be psychologists or psychiatrists, or something else. You can receive individual, one-on-one psychotherapy, couples psychotherapy, or family psychotherapy at Thriveworks in Encinitas, CA. A psychotherapist often approaches treatment in evidence-based ways, using one type or a fusion of types of therapy, for example:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Integrative or holistic therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Humanistic/experiential therapy (like gestalt therapy)
Will People Judge Me If I Seek Mental Health Counseling?
The stigma surrounding mental health conditions and mental health counseling has never been weaker. Members of royal families, A-list celebrities, famous athletes, and more have all opened up to the media about their struggles with mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar, and panic attacks. Even famous, successful couples like Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade have made statements about their positive experiences with marriage counseling.
Studies have shown that most of the stigma around mental health conditions and therapy is self-imposed. Chances are that your friends and family members will welcome or encourage your efforts to seek counseling. But you may need to face your own internal barriers to asking for help and support.
Should I See a Psychiatrist at Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Encinitas?
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Encinitas has numerous licensed psychiatrists on staff to help you with mental conditions and medication management. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists can prescribe medications like antidepressants and mood stabilizers to address underlying neurochemical imbalances. Our staff psychiatrists are available to meet with you in person in the office or online via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments. Your health insurance should cover these medical appointments as well as Thriveworks counseling appointments.
Schedule a Session at Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Encinitas
Call the Thriveworks office today to arrange your first appointment with one of our fully licensed, highly qualified, exceptional mental health providers. We can usually get you talking face-to-face with a counselor, either virtually via video or in-person, within 24-48 hours of your call. When you enroll at Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Encinitas, you also get email and phone access to your counselor between appointments. Call now to find out about all our unparalleled mental health services.
