The great inventor Thomas Edison probably wasn’t thinking about psychology when he stated, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 things that do not work.” But his perspective can easily be applied to humans’ lifelong quest to be happy. Over our lifespans, we’ve all developed beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that don’t necessarily work for us in the long-term. Sure, they might help us adapt to situations in the moment, but eventually they wear out their welcome.
Take Nancy, for example. Nancy was an incredibly insecure teenager. But she tended to feel better about herself when she attracted male attention. So she began wearing more revealing clothes and flirting with boys around the clock. Over time, these tendencies turned into sexual promiscuity—frequent sexual activity that made Nancy feel worse about herself in the long-term. Her behavior had stopped making her feel confident and had instead become harmful to her mind and body. Perhaps it was time to reach out to a psychologist.
A psychologist at Thriveworks in Vancouver, WA can help clients shine a light on what works and what doesn’t in their lives. They can help clients make positive changes in their thought processes, belief systems, and behaviors in order to function better in the world. Psychologists at Thriveworks can also help clients who are suffering from mental disorders like depression and anxiety. Using evidence-based psychotherapy techniques, our top-rated, licensed psychologists can deliver the mental health support you need to thrive.
What’s the Difference Between a Psychologist and Another Thriveworks Mental Health Provider?
Before you call Thriveworks in Vancouver, WA to make your initial appointment with a qualified therapist, it can be helpful to learn what kinds of mental health services we offer. You may see some of the following types of counselors and doctors on our long roster of incredible providers:
- Psychologists (PsyDs or PhDs), who offer psychotherapy
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), who offer psychotherapy as well as guidance for social services
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs), who offer psychotherapy
- Psychotherapists, the catch-all term for any provider offering psychotherapy or talk therapy
- Marriage and family therapists (MFTs), who offer psychotherapy to couples and families
- Substance abuse counselors (CSACs), who offer treatment for clients suffering from addiction
- Psychiatrists (MDs), who offer psychotherapy and pharmacological support (i.e., they can prescribe drugs like antidepressants)
- Telepsychiatrists, doctors who can offer their psychiatric services online
Can Psychological Problems Really Be “Fixed” in Therapy?
Even the most exceptional mental health providers like the psychologists at Thriveworks in Vancouver, WA don’t make any promises about “fixing” their clients. To fix something, you have to think of it as broken, and we don’t do that. Our providers don’t want to change who you fundamentally are. They just want to help you address the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that aren’t working for you.
So no, a great psychologist isn’t going to “fix” your problems. A great psychologist is going to illuminate your problems, educate you about coping strategies, support you when it’s hard, and help you deal with (and/or heal from) psychological distress. Therapy isn’t necessarily a way to make your troublesome issues just disappear. It’s not a magic wand. Instead, therapy can be a way of changing your perspective or mitigating your symptoms so you can lead a healthier, happier life.
Psychologists at Thriveworks aim to offer the best treatment available, whether you suffer from severe symptoms that are disrupting your daily life, or just need a little boost to help you through a hard time. Issues that Thriveworks clients face when they first reach out to a psychologist include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Feelings of disconnection
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Obsessions
- Compulsions
- Eating disorders
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Manias
- Nightmares
- Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
- Anger issues
- Family or marital conflicts
- Burnout
- Grief
- Addiction
- Sex issues
What Tools Do Psychologists Use to Treat Their Clients?
Depending on what your goals are in therapy, a psychologist at Thriveworks in Vancouver, WA can apply different evidence-based interventions to help you. Some of these techniques include:
- Affect regulation
- Cognitive restructuring
- Behavioral activation
- Mindfulness
- Exposure
- Psychoeducation
- Self-compassion
- Writing therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Self-monitoring
- Socratic dialogue
Counselors may even give you “homework” or things to think about between sessions so you get the most out of your face-to-face appointments.
Make Your Initial Appointment with Your Thriveworks Psychologist Today
At Thriveworks, we understand that sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is making that initial call, then you want things to happen right away. That’s why we often get clients in to see their mental health providers in Vancouver, WA within 24-48 hours. We also offer online counseling appointments so you can meet with your psychologist at your convenience even if it’s at night or on the weekends. We also have over 240 brick and mortar locations for in-person visits.
Clients who enroll with Thriveworks benefit from a flexible cancellation policy, free educational content like videos and e-books, and email and phone access to their providers between sessions. Call our office today to hear about all our unparalleled benefits and schedule your first session with an exceptional Thriveworks psychologist.
