How To Find A Portland Therapist

By Tonia Michael


There may be times when the City Of Roses seems more like the City of Nettles to you. If you're feeling down or stressed, therapy may be a solution. A Portland therapist can help you find your way back to feeling good.

When choosing who to go to, you first have to consider your budget or what your health plan is willing to cover. You also have to think about the type of problem you have. Then you can decide whether you want to see a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a counselor.

Usually the most costly therapy is psychiatry. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who looks at the physical factors that cause mental health problems. Many mental health problems are actually as a result of some chemical imbalance, usually in the brain, and medication can fix this. However, this treatment is most successful if it goes hand in hand with psychotherapy, which a psychiatrist should offer too.

A psychologist uses psychotherapy as well, but cannot prescribe you any medicine. Here the focus is on finding non-medical solutions to your problems and instead of focusing on the physical, the psychologist will look at the way you react to circumstances, how your behavior affects your life and how you can alter your reactions and behavior to improve your life. Sometimes a psychologist may refer you to a psychiatrist for medication too.

A counselor usually focuses on a specific issue and your sessions with him or her will be short term. The counselor will allow you to talk and will offer advice. You don't have to have a mental-health issue to go to a counselor, but can go to one for more practical advice. For example, a marriage or couples counselor will give advice to people wanting to improve their relationship. Some organizations offer free counseling in specific areas, such as organizations that offer trauma counseling to rape survivors.

Once you have decided on the type of therapist you need, you can find one in a directory of health practitioners in the city. It is a good idea to choose one that is close to the area where you live or work. Since you will see this person quite often, especially in the beginning, you don't want to travel too far to get there.

One of the most important parts of therapy is that you feel comfortable and safe with the person providing the treatment. There are many types of therapy, so ask about the one that you will receive. If you don't get along with the therapist or if the type of therapy is not for you, find another one.

Remember that therapy is not a quick fix. Your Portland therapist cannot solve your problems for you without your input. You need to commit and do some hard work too. If you're willing to do this, though, you will find that therapy may have been one of the best investments you've ever made.




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