The culture of turning to a psychologist to solve life problems and emotional experiences in the post-Soviet space is only gaining momentum, but today we can already observe a high demand for psychological services, be it a personal consultation with a psychologist or psychological trainings and webinars.
If we look at international research data from 2018, we see that the percentage of people seeking mental health help in America is 42%, according to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest national mental health organization). In Russia, only 1% of people seek psychological help, according to VTsIOM.
At the same time, the Americans noted that they have a positive experience of psychological help and consider it necessary to contact psychological specialists in case of emotional distress. Sessions with a psychologist help them heal from trauma, improve mental health, build strong relationships and change destructive patterns of thinking and behavior.
If this is really the case, then why is the trend of turning to psychologists only gaining momentum in Russia?
Analysis of concepts
Most often, people who are not associated with psychology by profession confuse the concepts of “psychologist” and “psychiatrist.” But there are also psychotherapists and psychoanalysts. What is the fundamental difference between them?
A psychiatrist is a doctor with a medical education and specialization in the field of psychiatry. The main area of work of a psychiatrist is severe mental disorders that arise at the level of biochemical processes in the nervous system. Special medications are used to treat these disorders.
A psychotherapist is a person who, after basic medical or psychological education, has completed additional specialization in a specific psychotherapeutic area. This is a trained specialist who knows how to diagnose and treat diseases of psychogenic origin, purposefully using verbal and psychological influence and interaction as a therapeutic agent. In psychotherapy, pharmacological agents are additional if indicated.
A psychoanalyst is a psychotherapist who has received additional higher education as a psychoanalyst, who has undergone personal analysis by an experienced qualified psychoanalyst and has experience in treating patients. In this case, supervision is mandatory - control of the session material by an experienced colleague. A psychoanalyst specializes in the field of psychoanalysis - depth psychology.
A psychologist is a specialist with a higher psychological education who is engaged in the scientific study of the human psyche.
How do you know which specialist to go to? So, if you need to understand current problematic situations, get support and advice, you can contact a psychologist. If mental problems no longer allow you to lead a full life, you need to contact a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst. In cases of diagnosing a severe mental illness, the help of a psychiatrist is necessary.
Most often, psychologists with private practice are also psychotherapists of one direction or another. This gives them the opportunity to provide assistance to clients, “coming in” from different angles and getting the best result. It is about such specialists – psychologists and psychotherapists – that we will talk in more detail.
And yet, who is a psychologist and what should you go to him with?
From the origin of the word “psychologist” it is clear that this is a specialist versed in the field of psychology. In turn, psychology is the science of the soul, the laws of life, the inner world of man, character, personality, human abilities and much more. The calling of a psychologist is to work with people who find themselves in difficult life situations.
There is no need to give the psychologist the image of some kind of wizard. No, he is the same living person who has his own difficulties and experiences. According to statistics, most often people who want to overcome their personal difficulties become psychologists. A qualified psychologist always has extensive experience of not only theoretical knowledge of how to cope with various problems, but also his own real practical experience of going through this path.
A psychologist is a person who has received a professional education in the field of psychology, has a diploma and certain work experience. Psychologists mainly work with healthy people experiencing various life difficulties.
What problems do people go to a psychologist for? This:
- Problems in relationships between people;
- Difficulty in making decisions, inadequate self-esteem;
- Lack of self-confidence;
- Guilt;
- Difficulties associated with misunderstanding of people around you;
- A feeling of “walking in circles”: situations are repeated, you don’t understand what to do, how to find a way out;
- Prolonged feeling of depression, and associated poor sleep and appetite;
- Problems in parent-child relationships;
- Family problems;
- Working with people who have experienced severe stress due to loss (death of a loved one, divorce, dismissal, etc.);
- Working with children: children's anxiety, aggressiveness, uncertainty, etc.
What does a psychologist NOT do?
Despite the wide range of problems that a psychologist works with, it is worth identifying what he does not do:
- Doesn’t solve problems for the client (yes, he gives hints on where exactly it’s best to go, but the client can only go through this path himself);
- Does not compile horoscopes (other specialists do this);
- Doesn’t “change” other people at the client’s request - if you came to a psychologist with the goal of “doing something” with your spouse, parent, child, this specialist is unlikely to help you. In a psychologist’s office, the client will work only on himself and his changes;
- Doesn't help solve all problems at once. Agree, many life difficulties and problems have been created over the years, and it is hardly possible to completely solve them in 1-2 sessions. Yes, it is quite possible to get the necessary support or solve some small problem in one meeting, but serious success is achieved through hard work;
- Does not take responsibility for the client’s life, does not respond to requests: “Do something with me” or “Tell me what to choose”;
- He does not give magic pills, does not wave a magic wand, in general, does not do anything “supernatural”, because of which all the client’s problems would instantly be solved on their own, the condition would be alleviated and the world would become more comfortable for life. Of course, in psychology there is also a certain “magic”, expressed in insights, changes, transformations, but all this happens only with the well-coordinated joint work of the psychologist and the client.
WHY DOES A HEALTHY PERSON NEED A PSYCHOLOGIST?
The profession of “psychologist” was a cause for concern just three or four decades ago. She was incomprehensible, but that’s all
the unknown frightens and worries us. Moreover, this frightening piece of “psycho”. To make up for the lack of information about a little-known subject, we invent, fantasize, believe rumors, deny. It was the same with psychology; false ideas appeared about psychologists as manipulators who see right through everyone and almost read everyone’s thoughts.
Then the pendulum swung in the other direction. Psychologists came into everyday life and took their place. There is a psychologist in kindergarten and school. You come across a psychologist at work - during an interview or at a corporate training. Perhaps you or someone you know has had individual consultations with a psychologist.
The Internet is flooded with invitations to psychological trainings, marathons and seminars. Psychological terms have become commonplace: open gestalt, Freudian slip, complex, neurosis.
There is more than enough information about psychologists and psychology, but it is so contradictory that myths about this profession still live. People often consider psychology to be incomprehensible, speculative, and useless. They do not understand why psychologists are needed and believe that turning to a psychologist is for the sick.
Let's figure out who a psychologist is and what he does.
WHO IS A PSYCHOLOGIST
Surely you have a friend about whom you can say that he is a “psychologist”. He listens, supports, sympathizes, advises. This is an everyday psychologist. It relies on life experience, empathy, and intuition. Perhaps he has knowledge of psychology, he has read specialized literature or listened to lectures.
But a professional psychologist is completely different. A professional works relying primarily on special knowledge, skills, and abilities that he has been studying for more than one year. And life experience, intuition, and one’s own personality are additional tools.
You won’t be able to tell your friend everything, because there is a possibility of information leakage or the risk that he will judge you, even if not out loud. In turn, he will also not be completely frank for fear of offending or ruining the relationship.
A professional psychologist will be able to show the situation as clearly as possible, maintain confidentiality, increase your self-esteem and give effective interpretations.
WHAT DOES A PSYCHOLOGIST DO
Psychologist consults Masha and Oleg are getting divorced. They part ways by mutual agreement and communicate with each other neutrally. They don’t know how to tell their children about the divorce or how to answer their children’s questions. They want to have an action plan and prepare for the children's possible reaction.
The psychologist explains what reactions children may have to their parents’ divorce. Explains how long it can take children and parents to adapt to a new situation. Recommends what and how to tell children about changes in the family.
Marina changes jobs every 4-6 months. In the new team, the girl gradually finds herself overwhelmed with the work of her colleagues, while her superiors do not notice her merits. When the burden becomes unbearable, Marina quits. She came to a psychologist to understand what was wrong with her and how she could avoid repeating the situation.
The psychologist tells Marina about personal boundaries and self-esteem. Recommends training or group therapy, where she can see how the situation usually develops and try to act differently.
When consulting, a psychologist will not do anything for you. He won't tell the children that you and your husband are getting a divorce. Will not put colleagues in their place. A psychologist will help you cope with the situation on your own. It will show you what internal resources there are for this and how to use them.
Psychologist diagnoses
Zakhar is 9 years old, he studies in the 3rd grade and receives bad marks in the Russian language for sloppy handwriting, corrections and missing letters. The teacher and dad think that Zakhar is not trying hard. Mom sees that her son is trying very hard, but he is not succeeding. She read on the Internet that a psychologist could help.
The psychologist conducts diagnostics and identifies insufficiently formed interhemispheric interaction in the child. Explains to mom what it is. Recommends classes with a neuropsychologist.
Here we see diagnostics, education and counseling, which we will talk about later. Obviously, a psychologist will not teach a child to write beautifully. But it will relieve him (and his mother) from feelings of guilt, strengthen his self-confidence and tell him what activities will help.
Psychologist corrects
Andrei is 13 years old, and he has problems at school and with friends because he is very hot-tempered, quarrels with classmates, and often gets involved in fights and brawls. The question arose about transferring Andrey to another class after a conflict with his classmates. The parents turned to a psychologist.
The psychologist, together with Andrey, selected acceptable methods of expressing aggression. Taught the teenager relaxation exercises to help relieve muscle tension. Taught the boy to recognize his emotions. The psychologist helped Andrei’s parents understand why their son was experiencing such difficulties and how the situation could be improved through an attentive attitude to the inner world of their child.
Andrey is still hot-tempered, but is gradually learning to monitor his reactions and slow down in time. There are fewer conflicts and fights.
This is psychocorrection, as well as counseling and education.
Psychologist enlightens
The private medical center employs professional doctors. They diagnose correctly and treat effectively. But patients complain that doctors are distant and arrogant. A psychologist conducts a seminar for clinic doctors. Explains why it is important to see a patient as a person, and not just a diagnosis. Conducts a role-play that shows doctors patients' fears. Gives recommendations on how to communicate with patients so that they do not feel like a “walking diagnosis.”
Psychologist training
After a change in management, young specialists came to work for the company. Employees of more mature age and with more experience are dissatisfied. There is no open confrontation, but implicit confrontation between two groups of employees reduces productivity. The director of the company contacted a psychological center to resolve this situation.
Psychologists conduct training aimed at team unity. In an informal setting, doing joint activities, employees open up and see each other in a new way. Gradually, dissatisfaction and complaints begin to be expressed openly, interaction between the “young” and “mature” camps improves, and the psychological climate in the team improves.
Let's summarize Psychologists work with healthy people who have questions, difficulties, problems, and difficult life situations.
The psychologist does not make diagnoses or prescribe medications.
A psychologist will not become your friend and adviser. A psychologist will not give you a magic pill that will change your life once and for all.
A psychologist will help you find resources to cope with the situation on your own.
What types of psychologists are there and how do they work?
Each psychologist has an area of specialization, for example, child psychologist, family psychologist, clinical psychologist, business consultant. Some psychologists work narrowly, that is, only with a specific problem or group of people, while others cover a wider audience and a list of problems to be solved.
In addition, there are many psychological areas in which a psychologist can work. The same situation can be solved in different ways, using one approach or another. According to the latest data, there are more than 700 areas of psychotherapy in the world. We will not list them all, but we will name those that occur most often.
So, a psychologist-consultant is a person who will advise you on your issue directly during the discussion process, clarify the situation, and help you find a solution.
The art therapist will invite you to draw your problem and then discuss it together.
During the conversation, the Gestalt therapist will address your feelings, ask about your needs and desires, and notice how you communicate with him.
A body therapist will work with your body, and through it, with your psyche. It will help you better feel your body and how this or that problem is reflected in it.
An NLP (neurolinguistic programming) master will listen to you and offer you a certain technique in which you will step by step modify the situation.
Very often, practicing psychologists combine different approaches in their work. For example, when working with children, art therapy, sand therapy, fairy tale therapy will work well; for psychosomatic problems, body therapy, dance-movement therapy, etc.
By asking their “tricky” questions and “simple” tasks, psychologists will help you see new ways of analyzing and understanding a situation; acquire new habits and skills; learn to understand yourself, manage your inner world; mobilize our internal resources; “cleanse” yourself from emotional garbage; regain faith in yourself and your strength, as well as in the wisdom of life.
Sometimes the tasks and questions of a psychologist may seem stupid, ridiculous, and incomprehensible to you. But perhaps they will lead you to unexpected discoveries and solutions?
Psychologists use individual (one-on-one) and group (in a group) ways of working. In the latter case, groups of people regularly meet under the guidance of a psychologist to overcome tension, resolve emotional conflicts, and correct behavior.
How many sessions are needed?
There is no general answer to this question. After all, each person comes to a psychologist with his own task. If, for example, the client sets a goal to decide on some specific choice in life, perhaps one meeting will be enough for him to do this. If a person has serious emotional problems, is depressed, or has prolonged neurosis, he will have to visit a psychologist more than once. The schedule of visits is discussed with the specialist. Most often, the optimal visiting schedule is once or twice a week, sometimes less often, with long breaks.
What will be the result?
The result most often depends on the coherence of the work of the psychologist and the client, on the latter’s willingness to work on changing his life. Usually “shifts” become noticeable in small things. For example, it was difficult to do something before, but now it’s easy, or something previously incomprehensible has become clear. The feeling of unbearability and heaviness disappears, sometimes joy and peace appear.
Over time, there will be more clarity in thoughts and desires, as well as ways to achieve what you want. You will learn to change what you can and simply accept what you cannot change. If you are already satisfied with the main areas of your life, you will feel satisfied with yourself, and you will understand that all the difficulties that arise can be solved, then you no longer need a psychologist.
But don’t expect a ready-made “fish” from a specialist. All he can do is offer you a “fishing rod”, teach you to find “food” on your own, and not wait until you are fed. And this is not easy work. But no one can change your life if you don’t want it yourself.
Preconceptions about working with a psychologist
When we talk about therapeutic relationships with a psychologist in Russia, we will be faced with the lack of a culture of therapeutic relationships. The most popular answers that I encounter in my practice, from people of different ages and professions:
1. “If I can’t figure out what’s in my head, then a psychologist certainly can’t.”
2. “Problems need to be solved independently. It’s a shame to go to a psychologist!”
3. “Pay money to just chat or talk, and the psychologist will listen to me and nod his head? Money for nothing!”
4. “Only crazy people go to a psychologist.”
5. “A psychologist is a shrink, I don’t need that.”
And many many others.
In this article I will answer a question that interests many people: why do you need a psychologist and what is the value of a psychologist for you?
And before we start to figure out WHY, let's figure out WHO the psychologist works with and dispel one of the established myths.
