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+39 379 136 8910
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Via Elba, 10 (Tuesday)
Piazza sei febbraio, 4 (Thursday)
Milano
ITALY
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with some good questions.
What are he different types of mental health professionals (psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist)?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed psychiatric training. They can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications. Some of them are also psychotherapists.
Psychotherapists are mental health professionals with a background in psychology (in Italy); whereas in the UK, they may have different backgrounds as well (e.g., nursing, social work, etc.).
The level of certification and licensure depends on the country. For example, in the UK, they are master’s-level healthcare professionals, whereas in Italy, they attend a specialized school called Specializzazione.
Psychotherapists use therapeutic techniques to address mental health difficulties, such as stress, low motivation, etc. Depending on their specific training, they can work with individuals, adolescents, children, couples, or families.
The qualification process for psychologists includes postgraduate studies, a one-year internship, and a final examination to become a licensed psychologist. Psychologists cannot diagnose conditions, prescribe medication (neither can psychotherapists), or apply therapeutic interventions. Instead, they can provide short-term psychological support, conduct psychometric evaluations, and perform assessments.
How do I know which kind of therapy is best for my needs?
It’s likely that you won’t know it straight away! Usually, psychotherapists can be chosen based on the goals you want to work towards, as certain approaches may be more suitable for specific mental health difficulties. However, this alone may not be enough to find the right fit. Finding the right therapist means feeling comfortable, understood, respected, and listened to without judgment. So, it’s okay if it takes some time to find the right one!
What if we start working towards a goal and we realise that we may need to change direction?
Usually, therapy goals are set at the beginning of the process and collaboratively reviewed after a couple of months or so (this can also be decided together). They are important because they provide a roadmap and help track progress. Nevertheless, goals can always be revisited and adjusted if needed.
How would I know the number of sessions needed?
Once again, this can be discussed collaboratively with your therapist. For instance, you can decide to have a set number of sessions, followed by a brief review to assess whether the process has been helpful or not so far, and take it from there!
What if I realise that therapy is not what I need at that time of my life?
This is completely normal! We are not always ready, or sometimes we simply feel that we no longer need therapy for various reasons. It may also be that we feel ready, but the circumstances around us are challenging, making it difficult to attend therapy every week.
That’s okay—just discuss it with your therapist in whichever way feels most comfortable for you!