An In-Depth Look at the Mental Health Field

The mental health field is vast, and it can be overwhelming for the average individual to locate a mental health professional or wellness practitioner. Many people are unsure of how to begin and encounter numerous myths, stereotypes, and stigmas related to mental health assistance.

Even more concerning is hearing stories of individuals who have tried therapy and encountered negative or inappropriate experiences. This often leaves people feeling abandoned, beyond repair, or frustrated at the therapist's inability to help them. Perhaps they didn't have the correct information about the support they were receiving, or maybe they encountered someone who was operating on the outside of professional guidelines.

The purpose of this article is to offer insights into the diverse range of mental health and wellness professionals; equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions when seeking therapy; and to enable you to find a therapist that best suits your needs.

Research has shown time and time again that "therapeutic relationship is as powerful, if not more powerful, than the particular treatment method a therapist is using" (APA, 2019). This means that a therapist should possess solid skills in the services they provide, while also demonstrating genuine connection.

It is important to remember that therapists are individuals with their own experiences. They have invested a great amount of time into learning skills and methods to help their clients. Often, they have also devoted the same, if not more time into being well with themselves and in their relationships. Most therapists are passionate about their work and tend to be caring and nurturing people by nature.

Please note that this is written within a Canadian context. Some of the information below will be highly dependent on where you live and so additional research is strongly recommended, especially with regard to education, licensing and accountability.

Terminology:

The term "therapist" is used in a broad sense throughout this article. Other terms you might encounter include "psychiatrist", "counsellor", "psychologist", "social worker", "health professional", "consultant", "practitioner", or "coach", among others.

Along with the various terms used to designate individuals providing mental health services, the letters following their names can be perplexing. I recommend conducting some research - a quick Google search usually suffices. These letters may indicate the individual's educational background, licensure, and/or certifications.

Education or Field of Study:

Many therapists typically display their credentials publicly, and it is important to understand these qualifications. Credentials may vary depending on your location. In general, therapists can be categorized into the following groups:

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialized in psychiatry. They will have advanced training in diagnosis and psychopharmacology (being able to diagnose and prescribe medication). Psychiatrists must obtain a license to practice and are regulated by a public body. 

  
  

• Psychologists are professionals who hold a PhD (or a Master's Degree in some jurisdictions) and have often studied a particular field of psychology (counselling, clinical, educational, developmental, forensic, etc.) Psychologists must have a license to practice and are also regulated by a public body. Psychologists are also able to provide diagnoses.

  
  

• Social Workers are professionals who hold a PhD, Masters, Bachelors  (or in some jurisdictions, a diploma).  Social Workers must be licensed to practice and are regulated by a public body. There are also different types of social workers; the main distinction being a Clinical Social Worker, who has undergone additional training and licensing to provide clinical interventions and diagnoses.

  
  

• Counsellors can be registered or non-registered, and come from a variety of educational backgrounds. There are different laws that regulate who can and cannot use this title, depending on where you live. There are some jurisdictions that require certain educational attainment before one can be certified as a counsellor, however, these are associations and not regulatory bodies (see the difference below)

  
  

• Coaches have often done rigorous training in a particular method (health, wellness, performance, fitness, etc.) and are often rooted in theories and methods of human psychology, social work, physiology, or even spirituality. Coaches are also often members of associations that guide their work and provide them with tools to find success with their clients.

  
  

• Wellness Practitioners are plentiful and bring such a wonderful balance to the mental health field. These include everything from energy work, reiki, and qigong, to health consultants, behaviourists, and motivational coaching (just to name a few). These people have invested in learning innovative methods to help their clients and can often be just as helpful as those who have spent years in a university classroom, it all depends on your needs.

Licensing and Accountability:

Depending on where you live, most health professionals will have a public or governing body that provides guidelines for what they can and cannot do. There are also many institutions that train and provide credentials to their members.

Certain professionals have titles that are legally protected, such as Psychiatry, Psychology, and Social Work. Others work under titles that are freely available for anyone to use, like Coach, Professional, Practitioner, and in some places, even Counsellor. There are also trademarked titles that are given through certification in a specific method.

It is crucial to recognize that not all therapists will be licensed or have established accountability structures in place within their practice. Conducting thorough research on any potential therapist is essential.

Below, you will find more information about different accountability frameworks that therapists may be held to:

Regulatory Bodies

• Provide the legal authorization (i.e. license or practice permit) for a health professional to practice in their jurisdiction

• Require a certain level of educational attainment and continuing professional development

• Are mandated to protect the public by having reporting and disciplinary measures in place, as well as a code of ethics and standards of practice.

• Membership is mandatory​

• Led by a council, which always includes public representation

Professional Associations

• Provide a support network to the practitioner

• May certify professionals by assessing their educational credentials

• May have a code of ethics and/or practice guidelines

• Membership is voluntary

• Let by a board of directors

Training Institutes

• Provide workshops and courses on special topics

• Often require demonstrated competencies in order to provide certification

• Are established to share knowledge and resources with practitioners

• May have a code of ethics and/or practice guidelines

Not all individuals registered with a regulatory body will necessarily belong to a professional association or hold certification from a training institute, and vice versa. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as each holds significant value within the mental health sector. Various mechanisms exist for ensuring professional accountability, and understanding these distinctions are important.

Methods, Approaches, and Techniques:

There are numerous methods of therapeutic practice, and we recommend individuals to further explore the various approaches listed below. Each method will have it's place and many practitioners will draw from a number of different ones.

This overview of different techniques can help you determine which ones may suit you best. Some folks have an easier time with emotions, whereas others are quite logical and analytical. There is no judgement here - you deserve to find a therapist who will support and challenge you to through an evidence-based lens.

This list is full of links to learn more about each of the items presented. It also aims to incorporate the diverse ways of knowing, learning, healing, and growing.

• Psychoanalytical and Psychodynamic

• Existential

• Humanistic

• Experiential

• Cognitive Behavioural

• Mindfulness-Based

• Somatic

• Sensorimotor

• Hakomi

• Somatic Experiencing

• EMDR

• Internal Family Systems

• Narrative Therapy

• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

• Emotion Focused Therapy

• Art or Expressive Therapies

• Couples Therapy

• Family Therapy

• Imago Relationship Therapy

• Dance and Movement

• Animal Assisted Therapy

• Hypnotherapy

• Motivational Interviewing​

• Music Therapy

• Coaching

Please be aware that the list provided serves as a basis for your further research and is not comprehensive. Take some time to reflect on this information and identify what aligns with your needs.

Therapeutic Themes:

Often clients will come into therapy looking to explore different themes, life experiences, or goals. It will be helpful for you to know if your therapist has experience or training in working in these areas. Some common themes that arise may be, but are certainly not limited to:

• Addressing mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, or trauma

• Enhancing relationships with family, friends, or partners

• Managing stress and developing coping mechanisms

• Processing grief or dealing with loss

• Gaining self-awareness and fostering personal growth

• Navigating life transitions or significant changes

• Dealing with past experiences or childhood trauma

• Boosting self-esteem and self-assurance

• Acquiring improved communication abilities

• Receiving assistance during challenging times

Practical Questions:

In addition to this, you will likely want to ask practical questions such as:

• How many minutes is a typical session?

• How many sessions should I expect before seeing some results?

• What is your availability and how would I book sessions?

• How do you handle confidentiality?

• What are your fees and do you offer a sliding scale?

• Do you accept insurance or direct bill benefit providers?

• How do you handle emergencies or crises outside of sessions?

Overall Fit:

This is the point at which your instincts and personality compatibility will play a role. It is up to you to assess this, as these are the questions you typically ask yourself following your first consultation:

• How do I feel about this therapist?

• Did they communicate understanding of my needs?

• Do I feel motivated to work with them?

• What is something they said or did that helped me feel at ease?