What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, neurologist and neuropathologist?

Many people suffer from mental illness. Some are due to problems in their personal lives, others due to heredity or drug use. But not everyone is ready to admit to themselves the appearance of such a pathology, much less go for medical help from a specialist. But even if a person has dared to visit a doctor, it can be difficult for him to determine how a psychologist differs from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. To understand what kind of doctor is needed in a particular case, consider the difference between these professions.

Who is a psychologist?

The task of a specialist is to help a person who finds himself in a difficult life situation. His clients are absolutely healthy people who do not have mental disorders, but are in dire need of psychological help.

Features of work

The main difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist is that he does not have a medical education, that is, he cannot make diagnoses and prescribe medication. His work is based on providing consultations, testing and training that help people get out of a crisis period, increase self-esteem, and improve relationships with others.

There is a wide range of specializations in psychology, including:

• Educational psychologist - works in educational institutions, helping children in their developmental activities, solving behavioral problems, and improving academic performance.
• Family affairs specialist – provides advice to families on resolving conflicts, improving relationships between spouses or with older relatives.
• A specialist in legal psychology, she works with difficult teenagers who are registered with the juvenile affairs department.
• Clinical psychologist – helps people who suffer from severe physiological illnesses or are experiencing stress due to upcoming surgery.

When choosing between visiting a psychologist or psychotherapist, it is important to be aware of the differences between these professions - a specialist in the psychological field is a humanitarian who does not heal, but only helps restore mental balance.

Psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist: what is the difference?

Who can I turn to for help if I have problems at work? What if these problems are in your personal life? Let's figure out how different specialists working with the psyche differ, and find out who can help, how and when.

Our specialists:

• Yulia Karacheva , psychiatrist, psychotherapist at the Atlas clinic network
• Milena Hampel , psychologist, gestalt therapist, non-profit psychologist
• Maria Dubrovina, psychologist, coach, hypnotherapist
• Irina Katin-Yartseva , clinical psychologist

What is the difference between a psychologist, psychotherapist and psychiatrist?

Maria Dubrovina: In education. A psychiatrist is a person who graduated from medical school and then completed a residency in psychiatry (2 years). This is a doctor who has the right to prescribe pills - for example, antidepressants. A psychologist is a person with a higher psychological education. A psychologist can engage in science and publish research. Or he can conduct personal consultations and trainings. But he cannot give a prescription for sleeping pills. A psychotherapist can be either a psychologist or a psychiatrist. To do this, after higher education (medical or psychological), you need to undergo specialization. If a psychiatrist receives such specialization, this gives him the right to use both psychopharmacotherapy and methods of conversational psychotherapy.

Irina Katin-Yartseva: An important detail - only a doctor can officially be called a psychotherapist in Russia . But now psychologists also call themselves psychotherapists. This is an echo of the Western tradition - there you can be a psychotherapist without being a doctor.

Still from the film “Say You Love Me” (2007)

Why do psychologists call themselves different names? What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a neuropsychologist?

Specialization.

• A clinical psychologist is trained in the field of mental disorders with a focus on diagnosis and psychological support for patients. “Clinical” does not necessarily mean that the psychologist works in a clinic, explains Maria Dubrovina . “He just deals with clinical cases.” Often his patients have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist and require support from a psychologist as well. There are so-called borderline personality disorders. A clinical psychologist also works with people who have them, often in tandem with a psychiatrist.” Milena Hampel gives an example of such work: “A psychiatrist will prescribe medications for a patient with panic attacks. And a clinical psychologist will work with the psychological reasons that cause these attacks.”
• A neuropsychologist is a clinical psychologist who studies how brain development affects mental processes. “A neuropsychologist helps if there are problems with speech, memory, attention,” explains Yulia Karacheva . - And not only for children. Adults, too, if there are problems with brain function, for example, after traumatic brain injury.” Maria Dubrovina adds: “ During research, neuropsychologists ask volunteers to think about something pleasant or, conversely, sad, and study the connections within the brain at the moment of emotion. What is transmitted where, at what speed, why for some people faster than for others. With the help of neuropsychology, you can create new neural connections and reinforce healthier behavior. This is a cutting-edge field that is moving forward quickly.”
• Practical psychologist. Deals with issues of communication and relationship building. Helps develop new options for behavior, thoughts, feelings.

How then do psychologists differ from psychotherapists?

Still from the series “Patients” (2008 - 2010)
Irina Katin-Yartseva: This is a question of terminology. As stated above, in Russia only a doctor can officially be called a psychotherapist. But psychologists also practice psychotherapy. However, a psychotherapist is still considered a specialist with a psychological education who has received additional training (long-term or short-term, depending on the method), including supervision, in the field of diagnosing personality disorders (analytical direction) and practicing the methods of one of the areas of conversational psychotherapy. A psychotherapist must be a member of the Association of Specialists in the field applied, undergo personal therapy, and throughout the work (psychotherapists say “practitioners”) have a supervisor - a more experienced colleague, such a “psychotherapist of your psychotherapist” who helps to cope with difficult cases in work and assesses the condition specialist

Who are psychoanalysts?

Still from the TV series “Mad Men” (2007 - 2015)
Irina Katin-Yartseva: Psychoanalyst - a psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist who has chosen psychoanalysis as a primary (or additional) specialization and has undergone long-term training in the field of psychoanalysis (deep knowledge and understanding of oneself and one’s experience) and my own long-term psychoanalysis 5 times a week with another certified psychoanalyst. Such a specialist has a certificate from the International Association of Psychoanalysts (their list can be found at the link in the “Associations and Schools” column). During sessions, the patient (called the “analysand”) usually lies on a couch or sofa - although this is no longer strictly observed.

What does an ordinary psychiatrist, who is not a psychotherapist, do? Schizophrenia and split personality?

Yulia Karacheva: A psychiatrist diagnoses mental disorders and selects pharmacological treatment. And no, he deals not only with schizophrenia (this is 1% of the entire population), but also with depressive, anxiety, psychosomatic and other personality disorders, which affect 30% of people. That is, every third adult is a potential patient of a psychiatrist.

It's actually scary to go to a psychiatrist. What if he registers? And then you won’t be able to drive a car or travel abroad.

Still from the series “Lucifer” (2016 - 2021)
Yulia Karacheva: “Psychiatric registration” no longer exists - that was in Soviet times. As a psychiatrist's patient, you can travel anywhere. There may be restrictions on rights and weapons. But only for severe chronic mental disorders . And even in this case, the issue will be decided by a medical commission. The mere fact of contacting a psychiatrist does not deprive you of any rights.

Irina Katin-Yartseva: But if you are still worried about this, keep in mind: anonymous contact with psychiatrists is possible.

They say that if you go to a psychiatrist, he will certainly prescribe pills that you will never get off. This is true?

Yulia Karacheva: Antidepressants and antipsychotics do not cause addiction. There is a small category of sedatives (tranquilizers) that can lead to addiction, but they are never prescribed for the long term, only for the short term - in order to reduce the risks as much as possible.

When do I need a psychiatrist?

Still from the film “Spring Hopes” (2012)
Yulia Karacheva: If you suspect you have a mental disorder (an eating disorder, depression), if you have phobias, are addicted to alcohol, medications, drugs, have suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, if you are physically harming yourself, make an appointment with a psychiatrist. If you have doubts or are afraid, first go to a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist. After diagnosis, you may be referred to a psychiatrist, work with him or her, or get help on your own. For example, sudden attacks of aggression may be a symptom of an anxiety disorder or a consequence of personality difficulties. These issues are dealt with by a clinical psychologist.

Irina Katin-Yartseva: When there is a risk that a person can harm himself or others, the connection with reality is lost (he sees or hears something that is not there), he experiences mental difficulties at the level of providing physiological needs (food, sleep, hygiene) , suffers from panic attacks, cannot study, work, leave the house, it is worth contacting a psychiatrist.

How about examples? With what problem - to whom?

• Diagnosed depression: see a psychiatrist + clinical psychologist/psychotherapist with experience working with depression.

• eating disorder (bulimia, anorexia): see a psychiatrist + clinical psychologist/psychotherapist. Need medications + talk therapy.

Maria Dubrovina: Most often, eating disorders are not a problem of one person, it is a problem of all family members. It just affects some people more than others. And until the principles of nutrition and attitudes towards food change within the system, there will be no progress. Therefore, we need a systemic psychotherapist, a specialist who works with the whole family.

• sudden attacks of aggression: see a clinical psychologist; Further, a consultation with a psychiatrist and work in pairs is possible.

Irina Katin-Yartseva: Sudden attacks of aggression are a nonspecific symptom. It can mean problems with physical health. So first go to a neurologist and endocrinologist, then to a clinical psychologist or experienced psychotherapist for diagnosis. Depending on what is identified as the main problem - to group therapy/training on aggression management, to a psychiatrist and/or to psychotherapy.

• self-sabotage (a person ruins everything for himself when there is a chance to achieve something): see a psychologist if you want to understand the reasons for this behavior, see a psychotherapist if you want to learn to live differently.

• parting with a loved one: see a psychologist if you need support, see a psychotherapist if you want to build your next relationship differently.

Maria Dubrovina : Parting is experienced as a loss, and a psychologist works well with losses. But in general, what matters is not what happened, but how a person lives it. If the result is phobias, fear of intimacy, if a person causes harm to himself, then psychotherapy, possibly in combination with medications.

• There’s a dark streak in life, you give up: see a psychotherapist. A cognitive behavioral therapist + a body-oriented psychologist work especially well with such cases.

• I can’t build close and strong relationships with family/friends/colleagues: see a psychotherapist

• voices are heard and something that is not seen is seen: to a psychiatrist and, depending on his appointments, to a psychotherapist

• phobias (fear of water, heights, darkness, etc.): see a clinical psychologist/psychotherapist, possibly in conjunction with a psychiatrist. A hypnotherapist works well with phobias.

• addictions (alcoholism, drug addiction): to a psychiatrist-narcologist + clinical psychologist. Group therapy helps.

• I can’t get out of a codependent relationship: see a psychotherapist

• neurological problems (tics, trembling hands): see a neurologist/neurologist + get tested for B vitamins (shaking hands may be associated with their deficiency). It also makes sense to consult a neuropsychologist.

• self-harm, thoughts of suicide: a psychiatrist paired with a clinical psychologist.

Is it possible/needed to combine treatment from different specialists? In which cases?

Still from the film “Life is Beautiful” (2011)
Milena Hampel: It is possible and sometimes even necessary to combine therapy with a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist/psychologist, that is, medication and talk therapy. You can combine personal and group therapy. But you cannot visit two psychotherapists at the same time: the psychological burden is too great.

Maria Dubrovina: You can visit two specialists in different fields (for example, a psychologist and a psychotherapist). But it is important that the client informs both of them and separates the areas. With one I would work on personal issues, with the other, say, I would try to improve business indicators.

What happens if you contact the wrong specialist?

Maria Dubrovina: If you are depressed and come to a psychologist, he will redirect you to another specialist. Even if he just has a suspicion of such a diagnosis. It may also be that the specialist is competent in your problem, but is not suitable for you personally due to some of your internal attitudes. It will be more difficult for you to work with him.

Milena Hampel: If a specialist is not suitable for you, you may become disappointed in psychology/psychotherapy in general and will not want to look for another specialist. And if the specialist is incompetent, then retraumatization may occur, and the person’s condition will worsen. In the future, it will take more effort and time to help him.

How is the first appointment with a psychologist, psychotherapist and psychiatrist?

Still from the TV series “The Sopranos” (1999 - 2007)
Milena Hampel: Talking about the problem, finding ways to solve it. Recommendations. Determining the frequency and approximate number of meetings required to resolve the issue. If the psychologist understands that your problem is beyond the boundaries of his competence, he will advise you to contact another specialist.

Irina Katin-Yartseva: The first appointment with mental health specialists (psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist) usually lasts about an hour. An examination by a clinical psychologist can last several hours and includes a short story about yourself, answers to questions and passing clinical tests (simple tasks similar to children's ones, but revealing important features of mental functions).

Yulia Karacheva: At the first consultation, the psychiatrist asks questions about your well-being, clarifies complaints and disturbing symptoms. If necessary, offers to fill out questionnaires (for example, to assess the level of anxiety). If additional examinations are required to clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will talk about this during the consultation. Also at the appointment, you will hear an opinion on possible treatment options for the problem (psychotherapy, drug treatment, which one).

Is it true that if you start going to psychospecialists, it will last for years, if not forever?

Maria Dubrovina: It all depends on the client and his problem. If this is a psychodispensary observation, then yes, perhaps you will go to a specialist for years or even your whole life. There are diseases (for example, schizophrenia) that cannot be significantly corrected; they can only be observed to prevent acute conditions.

Irina Katin-Yartseva: Not everyone needs a long job, not everyone can afford it. The specialist selects a strategy based on the client’s condition, goals, resources and wishes. Also, the client always has the right to take a break, interrupt the work, considering the result sufficient (or for other reasons), or extend it, formulating new goals.

Why do these specialists never tell you the exact number of visits that are needed to solve the problem? You can walk like this for the rest of your life!

Milena Hampel: Because all people have different paces, different injuries and different ways of compensating for them. It is impossible to know in advance how long it will take. Moreover, one request is often a thread to another.

Maria Dubrovina: Because while therapy is ongoing, the client’s life continues. Due to new events, new requests pop up, and something ceases to excite. Therefore, it is impossible to calculate the exact number of visits.

Is there a surefire way to tell a mental health professional from a charlatan? At what point should you be wary?

Yulia Karacheva: The person you want to contact must have a higher education. Feel free to check the documents. The specialist also behaves ethically:

• does not judge or ridicule
• maintains confidentiality
• shows no sexual interest
• does not enter into informal, friendly communication
• clearly states the price, time and working conditions
• does not allow any exchange of services for work
• does not prescribe pharmacological drugs without being a doctor.

Milena Hampel: It is worth asking the psychotherapist whether he has undergone personal therapy and whether he has a supervisor. If not, then it has nothing to do with psychotherapy. The psychotherapist has no right to violate confidentiality - for example, to use your case for scientific work without your consent, or to discuss it with someone from your family and friends. You should not meet somewhere other than the office and give each other gifts. The psychotherapist has no right to use your connections and services as a client. (Example: a hairdresser client should not cut his therapist's hair). If any of these principles are violated, leave.

It also happens that the client simply feels uncomfortable and does not have confidence in the specialist. Sometimes people really don't match, and there's nothing wrong with that. But it is best to tell the specialist about this before leaving. Perhaps this will reveal something important in your relationship, and will greatly advance therapy.

Our experts:

Irina Katin-Yartseva

Clinical psychologist

Founder and member of the Association of Feminist Therapy, member of the Association of Play Psychotherapy. Helped us figure out what a codependent relationship is.

Milena Hampel

Psychologist, practicing psychologist, Gestalt psychotherapist

The main profile is the emotional burnout syndrome of mothers and postpartum depression. It also works with anxiety and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Runs Instagram.

Yulia Karacheva

Psychiatrist, psychotherapist

Psychotherapist at the Atlas clinic network. Specializes in anxiety, depressive, psychosomatic and eating disorders. Member of the Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists and the Association of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy. Helped us figure out what impostor syndrome is.

Maria Dubrovina

Psychologist, coach, hypnotherapist

Lives in Switzerland, works with Russian-speaking audiences. She studied with psychologist-hypnotherapist Jean Becchio, has a diploma in psychology from the University of Geneva, and is a practicing hypnotherapist. Helped us figure out what impostor syndrome is.

Who is a psychotherapist?

The work of a psychotherapist is associated with a therapeutic effect on the human psyche. He is pursuing a medical degree and caring for patients who have mental health difficulties. He is often confused with a psychiatrist, but the difference between this specialist is that he is approached not with severe mental illnesses, but with psychosomatic disorders that arise in connection with social, personal, emotional and other problems.

Features of work

The main field of activity of a doctor in the field of psychotherapy is neuroses and neurosis-like conditions, which are manifested by depression, phobias, obsessive thoughts, hypochondria, and sleep disturbances. He strives not only to eliminate symptoms, but also to understand the causes of poor health and to identify the factors that caused mental disorder. To do this, the specialist uses various tools:

• conversation with the patient;
• hypnosis;
• psychotherapeutic techniques (modification of experience, subpersonal analysis, etc.);
• medicines.

If we consider what the difference is between a psychologist and a psychotherapist, it should be noted that the first does not engage in physiological research. He may partly use psychotherapy methods, but does not prescribe medications.

What to ask at the first meeting?

The most exciting meeting is considered the first, both for the psychologist and the client.

Before attending, the patient must answer the following questions:

• problem formulation;
• How can a psychologist help me?
• How do I see the result of working with a specialist;
• what questions do I want answered?
• which will help me feel comfortable with the psychologist.

It will not be possible to collect all the information after one meeting, so it is better for the client to start with questions:

• how long has the specialist been practicing;
• does he use his own methods in his work?
• frequency of meetings;
• how a psychologist sees the work plan;
• how long it will take to solve the problem;
• duration of the session and payment principle.

The right psychologist must adhere to the preliminary agreement.

If, after several sessions, commitments change dramatically, you need to consider whether such a person can inspire trust in himself.

to specify all organizational issues in a contract or agreement. This minimizes the risk of controversial situations.

Who is a psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a specialist in the field of psychiatry who works with severe mental pathologies. Unlike an expert in the field of psychology, he has a specialized medical education and conducts drug therapy. The problems of his patients are so serious that he cannot limit himself to providing consultations.

Features of work

If a psychologist or psychotherapist uses more psychological techniques in their work, then the main tool of a psychiatrist, which distinguishes him from these professions, is medications. The difference is that, theoretically, it can influence the patient’s soul with compassion or warmth, but its main treatment is based on the prescription of psychotropic drugs, often powerful and prescribed.

You can understand how a psychiatrist differs from a psychotherapist and psychologist by looking at the list of diseases that he treats:

• bipolar disorder;
• affective insanity;
• hallucinations, delusions;
• epilepsy;
• schizophrenia;
• psychopathy;
• Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases;
• memory or consciousness disorder;
• functional psychosis.

To fully understand the difference, it should be noted that the work of a psychiatrist is regulated by the law on psychiatry. In some cases, a specialist has the right to compulsorily hospitalize a person - when the disease threatens the life (health) of the patient himself or those around him.

What is a joint consultation between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

This is what most progressive psi specialists around the world strive for. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for psychiatrists and psychologists to find a common language, to find a consensus, because these, as you already understand, are completely different people, from different planets, who think and see people differently. Therefore, almost all attempts at professional interaction, unfortunately, turn out to be short-lived, often end in a break, and in the end, psychiatrists go to their lair, psychologists to theirs, and only occasionally transfer patients to each other. And, of course, this does not always benefit patients.

In 2015, we decided to realize our dream and unite specialists from two different areas in the Alter psychotherapeutic center. And we did it! Ultimately, over the years, very good connections have been developed, very interesting interactions; our psychiatrists and psychologists have formed professional duets and always work together at the initial appointment.

Patient coming to appointment

, sits down at the same table with such a pair of specialists and begins to communicate with them at the same time. Each of them asks their own questions. After such communication, the specialists leave the patient alone in the office for a few minutes with a cup of coffee, while they themselves go into the next room, discuss what they heard and return to report their judgment. The doctor reports his diagnostic conclusion, the psychologist talks about his psychological vision of the situation in your life. And the patient who comes to the appointment for the first time ultimately receives the most important information for himself: what is happening to him.

If the patient is mentally healthy

, but the problem still exists, then the psychologist takes the reins into his own hands and then the person understands that he does not need to be treated by a doctor and calmly continues to work with a psychologist or psychoanalyst.

If the doctor understands that the patient is seriously ill

and he now needs medical care with obvious dominance, then a psychiatrist begins to deal with this patient in the future, he prescribes medication from the very first dose and offers options for dynamic observation on an outpatient or semi-inpatient basis, and sometimes in an inpatient setting.

Or, as most often happens, both a psychiatrist and a psychologist find something different and offer therapy in parallel.

The psychiatrist meets with the patient as a doctor, monitoring his drug therapy, assessing his health, and the psychologist conducts sessions with him, solving other problems.

The effectiveness and practical advantages of such a union

We have learned from many years of experience. It is in this tandem of work of two different specialists that the effectiveness of the care provided to the patient doubles, if not triples, and we arrive at the desired result much faster.

Who should I turn to for help?

To understand exactly what the difference is between a psychiatrist, psychologist and psychotherapist, let’s present the competence of these specialists in a table.

If you understand how a psychologist differs from a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, you can not only understand the difference between these specialties, but also choose exactly the doctor who is needed at the moment. The main thing is not to delay visiting a specialist, because timely treatment begins significantly increases the chance of recovery.

So we figured out what kind of specialists these are. So, what is next?

How can I understand whether I’m sick and I need to see a psychiatrist, or whether it’s just a life collision and I should see a psychologist? Most people think like this. I’ll go to a psychologist first, listen to what he says, try his therapy, and if it doesn’t help, then I’ll go to a psychiatrist. Or, on the contrary, I’ll go to a psychiatrist, find out what the doctor says, and if anything happens, then I’ll refuse his treatment and go to a psychologist. This tactic seems logical. I'll try one thing, if it doesn't work I'll go do something else. But unfortunately, most often this path is never completed. And it turns out that a patient in need of medical psychiatric help receives only psychological support for a long time, and a mentally healthy person who most needs psychological support and psychotherapy comes to see a psychiatrist and does not receive qualified psychological help.

The only correct move in such a situation is to kill two birds with one stone and sign up for a joint consultation with two specialists.

You will immediately receive an answer to your main pressing question, whether you are sick or not, and you will immediately find out with whom you need to deal with your complex life problem.

Cost of services

The cost of a session depends on several factors. These are: region, status and qualifications of the specialist, range of his competencies.

In Moscow, prices are naturally higher than in small regional centers.

Price range - from 1.5 to 7 thousand rubles per 1 hour .

A novice psychotherapist and psychologist charges an amount approximately half the average price of experienced specialists.

Orthodox psychologists work primarily for free or for donations.

In case of heavy workload, it is possible to assign a base price, which is affordable for all segments of the population. For those who are unable to pay even the meager price, the service is provided free of charge, especially if the person is in a crisis situation.

City authorities in many regions organize a helpline where you can get psychological help by phone or on the website. This program was originally developed specifically for teenagers . There is no fee for consultation.

Neurologist

Despite the association with nerves that shake and quiver, a neurologist has a very indirect relationship with a person’s psychological state. It is in charge of the nervous system of the body.

A neurologist graduated from a higher medical institution with two years of residency in his field and knows everything about the structure of the spinal cord and brain, the mechanism of operation of nerve fibers, and pathological conditions resulting from their disorders.

Due to his specialty, this doctor is faced with strokes, encephalitis, brain tumors, neuralgia and osteochondrosis. Rehabilitation courses after brain surgery and spinal fractures are indispensable without it. If a person complains of causeless dizziness, he will definitely be referred to a neurologist, but they will help him cope with depression or neurosis in another office.

First results of therapy

Of course, it is impossible to solve a psychological problem with one visit to a specialist.

But it is still necessary to summarize the first meeting.

The positive dynamics of interaction is characterized by the following factors:

• enjoyment of the conversation, even if it was difficult at times;
• feeling that the client was understood;
• understanding the plan of work with a psychologist, at least approximately;
• the emergence of a trusting relationship (or the desire to talk about the most secret things).

Typically, a professional offers the client 3-5 meetings . This is not an advertisement or a marketing ploy. Over the course of several sessions, conflicting feelings will arise towards the specialist. The main thing is to maintain trusting relationships and security.

The psychiatrist has a higher medical education and residency behind him.

In accordance with the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation of 2015, a psychiatrist must have completed higher education in the specialty “General Medicine” or “Pediatrics” . And also completed internship or residency in the specialty “Psychiatry” . The requirements do not end there: in order to carry out professional activities and help people, a psychiatrist must maintain his level of knowledge by improving his qualifications every 5 years (at least) .

If your mental health recovery plan involves medication, you will most likely need to see a psychiatrist. In addition to being able to prescribe medication, psychiatrists are also trained in talk therapy and can perform or request a number of tests: Testing helps better assess the physical and mental factors that affect a patient's condition.

Who is a psychoanalyst?

Another specialist who may be mentioned is a psychoanalyst. What does a representative of this profession do? A psychoanalyst is the same psychotherapist, only specializing in such an area as psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud is considered the founder of psychoanalysis, and all specialists trained to work according to the method of Freud and his followers are called psychoanalysts.

The profession of psychoanalyst is widespread in the West, but in our country such a specialty does not officially exist. However, many psychologists and psychotherapists use elements of psychoanalysis in their practice (analysis of problems, interpretation of dreams, drawings, method of associations, etc.).

In order to become a real psychoanalyst, a psychotherapist must undergo theoretical training and practice under the guidance of an experienced mentor, as well as special psychoanalytic training with personal participation as a patient. Training is lengthy, complex and expensive. But only after passing it can you gain the right to be called a psychoanalyst.

Features of the work of a psychoanalyst

Psychoanalysis is one of the longest-lasting therapeutic methods. For effective treatment, the patient must attend psychotherapy sessions several times a week for several years. The duration of treatment is due to the fact that psychoanalysis involves working with a person’s subconscious, his hidden motives, feelings and emotions that cannot be identified in a short time.

Criteria for a positive result of a psychologist’s work

Before summing up the result of the work, it is necessary to take into account what kind of tasks were set for therapy.

The goals and methods of a psychologist-psychanalyst and a psychologist-psychotherapist are different, so the methods for achieving them will differ.

The result of course therapy can be assessed by taking into account the following criteria for the work of a psychologist-psychotherapist:

• correct collection of information about the client for targeted work;
• selection and application of methods whose effectiveness has been proven in practice;
• the client's statement that his mental state has improved after the course of therapy;
• the positive dynamics of changes in the client’s psycho-emotional background is proven by testing results (data is collected before starting work with a psychologist and after its completion);
• the improvement of the client’s condition is confirmed by his relatives, friends and the specialist himself;
• absence of new psychological problems that arose during therapy (dependence on the psychologist, fears and agitation when discussing something).