A psychotherapist interacts with patients to initiate change in the patient's thoughts, feelings, and behavior through adaptation. Psychotherapists provide treatment in individual and group settings. A licensed psychotherapist obtains a master's degree or doctorate in a chosen mental health field, undergoes a supervised clinical residency, and is licensed, certified, or registered by a government or psychological agency to which they are accountable.
Licensed professionals who practice psychotherapy, also sometimes called talk therapy, include the following:
- Registered psychiatric nurses
- Clinical social workers
- Licensed counselors
- Marriage therapists
- Family therapists
- Clinical psychologists
Drug and alcohol counselors, ordained priests, ministers, and rabbis may practice psychotherapy (talk therapy) without a license. In some states, a person with a master's degree in education or psychology may also practice psychotherapy without a license.
Psychotherapists use the following techniques to treat various psychological conditions and situations:
- Behavioral therapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, controlled exposure with response prevention)
- Interactive group therapy (e.g., family therapy)
- Relaxation training
- Self-help groups
- Psychodynamic therapy