Therapy is a two way process, therefore it is essential for you to find a therapist with whom you can make a connection. Therapy can be challenging but can help you overcome your depression enabling you to live a happy and healthy life. If you are looking for a therapist, you need to do your research well and approach someone whom you feel you can trust on.

A therapist acts as supportive and understanding professional who can give you sound advice regarding your treatment and helps you through the depressive phase of your life. In the beginning, it might be difficult for you to talk about the painful feelings embedded deep within with a complete stranger nut your therapist must know how to respect your confidentiality and help make you feel comfortable. Another thing you need to make sure is that your therapist must be approachable at all times of the day or night. If you need to talk with him/her he should respond immediately.

Looking for a therapist is not all that difficult, if you want to seek professional help to intervene with your mental illness. There are various types of therapists:

Psychotherapists: A psychotherapist is a professional whose aim is to alter the person’s though pattern, feelings and behavior pattern by means of adjustment through interaction. Psychotherapy can be provided individually as well as in group settings. A licensed psychotherapist holds a master’s degree or doctorate in a specific mental health field undergoes n administrative clinical residency and is certified by a government or psychological agency.

Psychotherapists use various techniques to treat different psychological conditions which include behavioral therapy, biofeedback, meditation, interactive group therapy, relaxation techniques, motivation enhancement therapy, self help therapy, psychodynamic therapy and behavioral therapy.

Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a professional physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. He/ she is also called an alienist and holds a professional certificate in treating mental disorders. They are qualified to assess both mental as well as physical aspects of psychological disorders. They are the only ones in the field of mental health who can prescribe psychiatric medication, conduct physical examinations, electroencephalograms and order brain imaging studies including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scanning.

Clinical social workers: They provide mental health services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioral and emotional disorders in individuals, families and groups. They work towards the betterment and maintenance of the patient’s physical, psychological and social function. They hold a master’s or doctorate degree in social work along with clinical experience and undergo supervised clinical field internship with at least two years of postgraduate supervised clinical social work employment.