This page is a short guide to the different 'mind doctors' you might encounter in the field of mental health.
There is, understandably, a lot of confusion in the minds of the general public about who they should see regarding mind matters, and matters of the mind.
This is because there are many different categories of 'mind doctor', each with their own specialisms, methodologies and characteristics.
Some work for the UK state funded National Health Service (NHS) and some prefer to work instead in the private sector, such as a private fee paying hospital, or clinic, or from their own home.
The principal 'mind doctors' available to most people, and some of their specialisms, are:
The above professionals are all 'mind doctors' and can all use their training, knowledge and experience to help with mental health issues - and it can sometimes be confusing to work out who does what.
In general, with regard to mental health and 'thinking issues' (rather than, say, 'relationship issues') your NHS GP (General Practitioner - family doctor) will act an initial point of contact and provide an initial assessment and 10 minute consultation where you can discuss your problems, symptoms and your treatment preferences.
The NHS GP is an ideal initial point of contact for:
Your GP can, as appropriate:
Private Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is not widely used or available within the NHS, but is able to help with a large number of problems that people encounter with their thoughts, feelings and behaviour, usually as a result of many first stage nervous disorders.
Hypnotherapy has been assessed several times by medical authorities, and found to be a genuine and valid therapy. For example, in 1955 the BMA (British Medical Association) commissioned a subcommittee to conduct a two year study of the medical application and efficacy of hypnotism.
The subcommittees report was officially approved as being official BMA policy, with the accompanying statement:
"For the past hundred years there has been an abundance of evidence that psychological and physiological changes could be produced by hypnotism which were worth study on their own account, and also that such changes might be of great service in the treatment of patients."
And the subcommittee concluded:
“The Subcommittee is satisfied after consideration of the available evidence that hypnotism is of value and may be the treatment of choice in some cases of so-called psycho-somatic disorder and psychoneurosis. It may also be of value for revealing unrecognized motives and conflicts in such conditions. As a treatment, in the opinion of the Subcommittee it has proved its ability to remove symptoms and to alter morbid habits of thought and behaviour"
Three years later, In 1958, the American Medical Association (AMA) commissioned a similar endeavour and produced a similar (though more terse) report which endorsed the 1955 BMA report and, again:
"the AMA council approved this report, rendering hypnotherapy an orthodox form of treatment".
However, despite hypnotherapy being approved for therapeutic purposes, hypnotherapy is not generally available through the NHS - possibly because the tax payer funded NHS doesn't have unlimited funds and therefore chooses to direct its somewhat limited funds more towards saving lives rather than enhancing lives.
When deciding whether to take your problem to a GP or a hypnotherapist many people consider the following factors:
Suitability
Is the nature of your problem suitable for treatment by hypnotherapy or should you instead seek the advice of your NHS GP (family doctor) - and do you want your GP to know that you have whatever kind of problem it is that you have.
Accessibility
In general, access to a NHS Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Psychotherapist will first require a referral from your GP and and you will be put on a waiting list for weeks or months before your initial consultation before, possibly, being offered a course of regular weekly treatment consultations which may conflict with your usual working hours, such that you employer will want to know why it is that you have a need to change your working hours in some way in order to attend your appointments.
Discretion/confidentiality
This is an important factor for many people who go to a private hypnotherapist. They don't want to have to wait in a public waiting area where they might bump into someone that they know and who might well ask them to reveal the purpose of their visit and their treatment. Similarly, there is a drive in the NHS for patient's notes to be held electronically, and there will always be doubts over who has access to the electronic patient records. Some people are also concerned that the privacy and security of such information may eventually be compromised and access given to the likes of Google, life insurance companies and also potentially future employers.
Cost
The cost of NHS treatment (GP, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy) is usually borne by the tax payer. For private Hypnotherapy the therapist is usually paid directly by the client. In some cases the cost of therapy may be recovered from private or employer's medical insurance.
Efficacy
Many of the problems and first stage nervous disorders that can be helped by hypnotherapy are the result of thoughts that lie within a part of the mind that can only be easily accessed, and corrected, and removed, whilst in the hypnotic state. NHS Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is unable to access that part of the mind and therefore unable to correct the problem, such that any improvement that might be experienced, whilst undergoing CBT treatment, is usually obtained by sheer force of the client's will power, and when that will power is reduced (which may be because the problem has reduced, or improved ! ) the problem then returns.
Here at The Surrey Hypnotherapy Clinic the emphasis is on the use of therapeutic hypnosis to facilitate permanent change and resolution of those first stage nervous disorders and problems that have emotional and/or psychological causes.
Therapeutic hypnosis treatment typically takes just a few weekly sessions to complete, resulting in a permanent release from all of those symptoms that are being created by the effects of accumulated past life experiences. Clients also notice a great boost in their positivity and self-confidence, and gain a new lease of life and freedom.
Contact me now to book a free initial consultation to find out more about this successful and effective therapy.
If you would like more information on the successful application of therapeutic hypnosis please contact me to arrange a FREE confidential consultation (Click here), and get started on changing your life straight away.
YOUR NEXT STEP...
Either:
Contact Peter to make an appointment for a free initial consultation.
or
Read Peter's website welcome letter.
Alternatively, continue reading on down this page, past the following video, for more detailed information on the 'mind doctors'.
Psychotherapists help people to overcome stress, emotional and relationship problems or troublesome habits.
Psychotherapy is conducted with individuals, groups, couples and families.
There are many different approaches in psychotherapy, or talking therapies, which include:
A psychotherapist may be a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional, who has had further specialist training in psychotherapy. Increasingly, there are a number of psychotherapists who do not have backgrounds in the above fields, but who have undertaken in-depth training in this area.
Medical psychotherapists are fully-qualified doctors who have qualified in psychiatry and then undertaken a three or four-year specialist training in psychotherapy. Their role is in the psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with psychiatric illnesses.
General practitioners (GPs) treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment. They focus on the health of the whole person combining physical, psychological and social aspects of care.
GPs have a medical degree and most also have a number of years of supervised experience. Your GP is the person you can talk to if you are worried about your mental health. Some GPs have received extra training in mental health issues.
Your GP can:
Psychiatry is the study of mental health problems and their diagnosis, management and prevention. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have qualified in psychiatry. They often combine a broad general caseload alongside an area of special expertise and research.
Mental illness is extremely common and far more prevalent than most people realize. This kind of illness ranks alongside cardiovascular disorders and cancer as one of the nation's biggest health problems.
Mental health problems can take many forms including depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxieties, phobias, drug/substance and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and dementia.
There are six specialities within psychiatry:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
In child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP), doctors work with children, young people (up to the age of 18) and their families. They treat a range of mental health problems and conditions including autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, substance misuse and eating disorders.
Forensic
Psychiatry
Forensic psychiatry is a specialised branch of psychiatry which deals with the assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders in prisons, secure hospitals and the community. It requires sophisticated understanding of the interface between mental health and the law.
General
Psychiatry
General psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who contribute to the management and treatment of adults with mental health problems.
The work is based around developing a therapeutic alliance with the patient and often involves co-operating as part of a team with other professional disciplines.
Specific interventions include medication and psychological interventions including cognitive behaviour therapy and other talking therapies, as well as interventions that take into account the social factors that might be contributing to the clinical picture.
Medical
Psychotherapy
Medical psychotherapists are trained psychiatrists (doctors who treat mental health problems) who have specialised in psychotherapy (psychological or talking treatments). This can include different therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and systemic (group or family) therapy.
Psychotherapy allows patients to come to a better understanding of their difficulties, worries, abilities and motivations. This specialty may make use of techniques that help patients explore difficult and often painful emotions and experiences, or reflect on patterns of behaviour and habits that may not serve them well. What patients might experience within the therapeutic experience can also be healing. Psychotherapy can take place individually or in groups, and there are many different forms that can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Old Age
Psychiatry
Old age psychiatrists (OAP) are doctors who provide specialised and holistic assessment, treatment and continuing care for older adults (or those with similar needs) who suffer from a range of mental health problems associated with advancing years, including dementia and other disorders including depression and schizophrenia.
Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability (PID)
Psychiatrists working in Intellectual Disability (ID) or Learning Disability (LD) are specialist psychiatrists who offer psychiatric assessment and treatment for persons with intellectual/learning disabilities. They also include assessment and management of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy.
Psychology is the study of people: how they think, how they act, react and interact. It's concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivation underlying such behaviour.
A psychologist studies normal and abnormal mental states, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments.
Psychology is a discipline that is firstly concerned with the normal functioning of the mind and has explored areas such as learning, remembering, and the normal psychological development of children.
It has been one of the fastest growing university subjects and is increasingly available in schools and colleges. Psychologists can be seen as practicing within two general categories of psychology
Psychologists are not usually medically qualified and only a small proportion of people studying psychology degrees will go on to work in a clinical setting, with patients.
Many psychologists interested in applied psychology will be drawn towards working for businesses and their marketing departments.
In healthcare, psychologists specialise in counselling, forensic, health or clinical psychology.
Counselling Psychologist
Counselling psychology deals with a wide range of mental health problems that may occur such as common mental health disorders including depression, in addition to eating disorders, psychosis, personality disorder, negative life events, bereavement, domestic violence, sexual, emotional and physical abuse, traumas and relationship issues.
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychology applies psychological theory to criminal investigation, understanding psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour, and the treatment of those who have committed offences.
Health Psychologist
Health psychologists are specially trained to help people deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness as well as supporting people who are chronically ill. Health psychology uses knowledge of psychology and health to promote general well-being. They also understanding the impact on physical illness. They promote healthier lifestyles and try to find ways to encourage people to improve their health. For example, they may help people to lose weight or stop smoking. Health psychologists also use their skills to try to improve the healthcare system. For example, they may advise doctors about better ways to communicate with their patients.
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychology deals with a wide range of mental and physical health problems including addiction, anxiety, depression, learning difficulties and relationship issues.
A clinical psychologist can:
Psychologists are not medical doctors and don’t prescribe medication - within a clinical setting they will normally work under the supervision of a medically qualified lead psychiatrist.
Here at The Surrey Hypnotherapy Clinic the focus is on the use of therapeutic hypnosis to facilitate permanent change and resolution of those first stage nervous disorders and problems that have emotional and/or psychological causes.
Therapeutic hypnosis treatment typically takes just a few weekly sessions to complete, resulting in a permanent release from all of those symptoms that are being created by the effects of accumulated past life experiences. Clients also notice a great boost in their positivity and self-confidence, and gain a new lease of life and freedom.
Contact me now to book a free initial consultation to find out more about this successful and effective therapy.
If you would like more information on this successful application of therapeutic hypnosis please contact me to arrange a FREE confidential consultation (Click here), and get started on changing your life straight away.
YOUR NEXT STEP...
Either:
Contact Peter to make an appointment for a free initial consultation.
or
For professional, caring and confidential help, advice, therapy or treatment for, or about, any of the above issues or topics, or similar, just contact Peter, preferably by e-mail, to arrange an appointment for your free initial consultation.
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Towns & Districts/Boroughs in Hampshire(Hants):
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Towns & Districts/Boroughs in Berkshire(Berks):
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For Hypnosis therapy and Hypnotherapy help for Anxiety in Surrey, the Surrey towns of: Addlestone, Aldershot, Bracknell, Byfleet, Camberley, Epsom, Farnborough, Godalming, Guildford, Knaphill, Leatherhead, Staines, Sunbury, Walton, West Byfleet, Weybridge and Woking are all within a short 30 minute drive from Woking Hypnosis Hypnotherapist Peter Back at the Surrey Hypnotherapy Clinic.
If you would like to find out more about how Surrey Hypnotherapist Peter Back might be able to help you, or if you are simply looking for the best help, advice, therapy or treatment for GAD Anxiety, from a highly qualified and experienced Psychoanalyst, Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist or Hypnotist, just contact Peter by e-mail, at the Surrey Hypnotherapy Clinic, Woking, to arrange an appointment to learn more about Hypnosis and Peter's own unique form of specialist, evidence based, Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy.
Acknowledgements
https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/psychiatry-explained/mental-health-professionals
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychologist
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/general-practice-gp
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/psychotherapist
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/clinical-psychologist
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/forensic-psychologist
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/health-psychologist