Therapy

[cmac21]

I was diagnosed with panic disorder about 3 and  a half years ago. I want to get back into therapy and NOT be on medication again. Just wondering if a Psychologist or Psychiatrist would be better.

[cmac21]

Thank you! My doctor didn't want to refer me to a psychaitrist because she said they are pill pushers. I wanted to get other peoples experiences, but I think I will seek out a psychologist.

[Paxiled]

But, fine one who specializes in anxiety treatment.  Usually that will meant CBT.  Most will advertise as covering it but then you see them and find they know nothing at all about chronic anxiety but mostly do relationship problems.  Everyone specializes these days.  CBT therapist also generally don't take insurance; nor do most psychiatrists who do therapy.

[Paxiled]

Most psychiatrists don't do therapy anymore, though some still do, but they do charge more.  Actually, psychologists have a lot more training in psychology than psychiatrists do -- usually they majored in it as undergrads, then did four or five years of graduate work in it whereas a psychiatrist just does a year of it.  They of course can do more, but that's all it takes to get the credential because once you're an MD you can get to be a specialist pretty quickly.  That means psychiatrists have a lot of experience studying medications and the body, but psychologists have much more experience studying the different forms of therapy and the history of how they got there.  And they're a lot cheaper to see and you get an extra five minutes.