Contents
Your psychologist helps you solve many things, but these are not
Psychology
Many problems need to be treated by specialists and not by a general health psychologist
Mental health is already part (and thank goodness) of the public conversation. Although there are those who still have their qualms about talking about it naturally, more and more people are expressing these problems and talk openly about going to the psychologist.
The most important thing is that, to decide to go to a psychologist’s consultation, you don’t have to have a serious problem, or get to that point where you ‘can’t do it anymore’. «Most of the people go to the psychologist because they have a psychological discomfort for a long time that they cannot face on their own. And it’s a shame! ”, Laments Lucía Camín, psychologist and director of the Alcea psychology center.
The professional comments that, although the primary purpose of psychotherapy is the treatment of psychological pathologies, it can also be a place for growth and prevention of mental health. The psychologist and sexologist Irene Payá, who repeats the idea that therapy always adds up, assures that, going through a therapeutic process, «implies knowing oneself, dealing with our internal conflicts and changing daily behavior patterns that, although not let us be aware, they make us unhappy ».
There are times when doubts can be found about how a psychologist can help us. Lucía Camín explains that, although the psychological problems that are addressed in therapy are very varied, the most frequent pathologies are those related to problems of anxiety or stress, depression and low self-esteem. “Other people come to the office overwhelmed after having experienced a situation of high emotional burden, such as a couple breakup, the death of a loved one, a dismissal, or a situation of abuse,” says the professional.
Put the obligation aside
On the other hand, it is vitally important that a person goes to therapy of their own free will, and not under the obligation of others. Going to the psychologist by force is the worst option. Therapy consists of the patient being the one who works and the psychologist who guides, validates, accompanies and motivates the process of change. If the patient does not cooperate, it is very difficult for the therapy to work, ”says Irene Payá. He comments that, if during the first sessions there is no therapeutic alliance and the patient does not cooperate, it is best to wait until he is prepared, is aware of the problem and wants to be helped.
How to know which professional to turn to?
In general, making the decision to go to therapy is not easy, largely due to the prejudices that exist around this practice. For this reason, the psychologist and sexologist Irene Payá recommends that when a person feels that “the past is constantly accompanying them, discomfort and suffering, or is sad most of the time,” they can decide to go to therapy. «If the psychologist you go to considers that you have a specific problem that he cannot treat, refer you to a specialist in the matter that can help you », he assures.
There are times when the problem that a person wants to treat is specific, and therefore needs the help of a more specialized professional. This is the case of problems of a sexual nature, which are very common and require the treatment of a sexologist. “Just as a pediatrician is a doctor, with a specialty, in the case of psychology there are those who decide to specialize in a specific branch of psychology such as child or adolescent psychology, sexology or forensic psychology, for example,” explains Irene Payá. Continuing with the peculiarity of sexology, the professional comments that in this area not only problems that may be had are dealt with, but also sexual education is carried out, and information and sexual orientation is provided. “We can address sexual problems (such as premature ejaculation, difficulties in arousal and desire problems) and couple conflicts (difficulties in communication, negotiation and coexistence) “, exemplifies the professional, who adds that, in general” they address everything you have to see with enriching sexuality, affectivity and erotica ».
What does a sexologist do
In this case, it is important to understand that a psychologist cannot perform the functions of a sexologistAs Lucía Camín comments, a psychologist without specific qualification and training cannot perform these functions. “What it can do is work on mental disorders that may be influencing associated dysfunctions (for example, an anxiety disorder),” he says. On the other hand, of course, a sexologist who is not clinical (that is, who is not an expert in treating mental health and collegiate) will never be able to intervene or treat any mental health problem. On the other hand, if we talk about a clinical sexologist, Irene Payá recalls that a sexologist, before being one, is a psychologist and is trained to intervene in psychological problems at a general level.
On the other hand, it is very important do not confuse a psychologist with a psychiatrist. The way a psychiatrist approaches and treats mental disorders focuses on biological variables, that is, balancing the physiological deterioration that occurs. “To do this, he resorts to the diagnosis and, where appropriate, to the appropriate medication”, says Lucía Camín. For his part, a psychologist treats mental health problems by focusing on his psychological processes. “He performs interventions with the emotions, thoughts and behaviors of his patients,” he points out.