Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is the difference between a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, a clinical social worker and a professional counselor?

Clinical Psychologists

A clinical psychologist is a professional who has extensive training in the evaluation and the treatment of psychological problems and disorder. In addition to four years of college, we spend over 6 years in specialized graduate education and supervised experience in the assessment and treatment of psychological, adjustment, addictions, learning, and behavioral problems.

Psychologists must pass a rigorous written exam administered by the state's licensing board and must take training courses each year to maintain their license. Clinical psychologists have expertise in a wide array of services. We are dedicated and trained to help individuals, couples and families cope more effectively with life problems and troubling disorders.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in prescribing and managing medication. They have a medical degree, the MD, earned when they completed medical school and a clinical residency. Some psychiatrists have training and do psychotherapy but most focus nearly exclusively on a medication approach. When helpful, psychologists work collaboratively with treating physicians including psychiatrists.

Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselor

The educational requirements to be a clinical social worker or a professional counselor are somewhat less – a Master's degree such as MA, MSW -- than those for a psychologist and psychiatrist who earn a PhD, PsyD or MD. To be licensed to provide clinical services in Virginia, social workers and counselors must have several years of supervised clinical experience and pass a licensing exam. Some of the psychotherapy training may be similar for all licensed clinical professionals.

How do I choose a psychologist that is right for me?

There are several ways to choose the right psychologist for you. Through this website, the Northern Virginia Association Society for Clinical Psychologists (NVSCP) provides a directory of clinical psychologists and their areas of expertise. Through the NVSCP website consumers have access to profiles of local clinical psychologists which include specialty areas, location, and payment information.

There are other ways to find a psychologist such as asking family members, friends, your primary care physician, clergy, the school guidance counselor, and area mental health centers for referrals. Most insurance companies also have websites that enable you to search online for a provider in your plan that is close to you.

Because psychotherapy often involves sensitive personal issues, technical competence is not enough. Human qualities of compassion, trustworthiness and confidence are essential. You should also feel respected, that the psychologist is open to what you are saying, that suggestions are relevant and useful, that the sessions are productive, and that the psychotherapist is appropriately active and involved in the sessions.

When you meet with a psychologist, please feel free to ask whatever questions you want. A competent psychologist will be able to comfortably describe credentials, experience and approach. In selecting a psychologist, you should consider the professional's ability to relate to you and to assist with your particular concern.

How does psychotherapy work?

Psychotherapy is a systematic treatment method during which the psychologist and the patient discuss problems and solutions in regularly scheduled meetings. The meetings are usually weekly and last for 45-50 minutes.

The psychologist works with the patient to find effective methods of resolving their problems and improve an individuals' understanding of what contributes to their life circumstances. The first step is for you to explain what problems, concerns or circumstances brought you to seek professional help at this time. The psychologist will then ask clarifying questions. After a meeting or two, the psychotherapist will usually be able to tell you the recommended frequency of sessions, the short and long-term goals, the approximate length of treatment, and what you can do to make improvement quicker and better. In applying techniques, psychologists take into account the combination of research findings, professional experience, and your unique values.

Why are there different approaches to psychotherapy? What are some of these approaches?

The simple answer is that no one approach fits everyone's needs or preferences. There are many different schools of psychotherapy. They all share the common goal of decreasing emotional distress and increasing a person's sense of well-being. The vast majority of clinical psychologists use a variety of techniques tailored to what will be most helpful for you. Generally, the psychologist will encourage and guide you in an in-depth understanding of the problem and how to resolve it. Clinical research and experience, of course, continually produce advances that the psychologist will use to help you.

Some of the common approaches are cognitive or cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, interpersonal, family systems, and EMDR (Eye-movement Desensitization Response). Cognitive or cognitive behavioral therapy has increased in popularity because a large amount of scientific research supports its effectiveness for a wide variety of psychological disorders. This approach emphasizes the development of adaptive thinking skills and strongly encourages practice of adaptive behavior.

Psychodynamically oriented therapy will spend more time on the early origins of problems, especially family relationship patterns. Interpersonal therapy aims to strengthen the current social and close relationships in a patient's life. The family systems approach focuses on identifying and modifying problematic roles and dysfunctional patterns. EMDR was originally found to be helpful for traumatic stress, but has developed into a more elaborate treatment approach that is used to address diverse psychological issues.

When will I start to feel better?

The length of time it takes for you to feel better depends on various factors, including the severity of your psychological discomfort, the nature of your coping skills, and your social support system. If you have been prescribed medication, your response to that medication will also impact your rate of recovery. If you are prescribed medication, it is important to know that some medications can take weeks before you will see a benefit. The quality of communication with your prescriber, taking the medication in the amount and timing as advised, the absence of troubling side-effects, and your response to the medication all make a difference. Research shows that clients often begin to feel relief within the first four sessions or so, more significant relief within the first sixteen, and considerable resolution of symptoms in less than a year. This can vary from client to client, and there can be no absolute guarantee regarding the speed or extent of therapeutic success.

Is psychotherapy a "crutch," a retreat from responsibility?

The majority of those who use psychotherapy are "ordinary people." What they share is a desire to be better – to feel better, work better, and to handle stress better. Despite its widespread use, some people still feel embarrassed about seeking professional assistance for personal problems. Psychotherapy is certainly not a needless crutch for the "weak willed". It is hard work and is effective only with your deliberate efforts and motivation. With guidance, information and support, the psychologist helps you to help yourself, to use your strengths and develop new skills.

What does psychological testing involve?

Psychological tests are used when more information is needed to understand and know how best to treat the person's problems or disorder. There are a wide variety of tests including intelligence, abilities, academic achievement, personality, coping skills, substance abuse, emotional distress, brain damage, memory, vocational interests, and problem-solving style tests. For example, a psychologist may use a test to determine if a child or adult has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) or a learning disability. A psychologist may use tests as well as interview techniques to address various legal situations such as a person's competence to stand trial and what parental arrangements might be in the best interest of the child in a custody dispute.

Psychological tests vary in format. Some tests require a person to answer written questions from a booklet on their own. Other tests are done interactively with the psychologist asking standardized questions and writing down the person's responses. Other tests require that the psychologist teach the person a novel task and then record the person's performance on the task. Still other tests require a person to view pictures and respond to questions about the pictures.

What about health insurance?

The vast majority of insurance policies do cover outpatient treatment or the psychotherapy services of a clinical psychologist. A great many also cover psychological evaluations or testing. Some insurance plans will pay for services only if the provider is contracted with that plan. If the psychologist is contracted by the plan (what the insurance plans refer to as "participate in the plan"), you will usually pay a small amount per session. Your psychologist will also file the insurance claim for you. Other health insurance policies cover the services of providers who are not specifically contracted with the plan. In that case, you will have to pay a greater portion of the bill. Check with your insurance plan for the details about your coverage.

Why do some health providers not accept or participate with health insurance plans?

A number of psychologists require that payment for services be made at the time the services are rendered. Under some insurance plans, the psychologist must regularly justify the treatment plan to a so-called "case manager" who has never met the patient and generally has less expertise than the treating professional. At times, delays in authorization may disrupt the continuity of treatment. When the psychologist determines that further treatment is necessary but the insurance company disagrees, they will not pay for the services. Nonpayment of services by health insurers negatively impacts the quality of care that a patient can receive. Many other health professionals feel similarly and prefer not to give the insurance companies access to patient information and the authority to manage treatment at a distance. Many psychologists who do not participate in insurance plans will adjust their fees to make their services affordable.

It is important to understand that although some psychologists will not have a direct dealing with your insurance company, you may still be able to get reimbursed. After paying for a therapy session, a patient can obtain a receipt from their psychologist. They can then submit this receipt and any other necessary documentation to their insurance company. Some insurance plans will then reimburse the patient directly for a part of the already paid fee.

Who created and sponsors this website?

The Northern Virginia Society of Clinical Psychologists (NVSCP), founded in 1975, created this free website service to help the public find a qualified psychologist. We are a branch of the Virginia Psychological Association, which is a part of the American Psychological Association. The professionals listed on this website are members of NVCSP and are required to have a doctorate degree (a PhD or a PsyD), be currently licensed in Virginia by the state's Board of Psychology, and meet annual ethical and continuing education requirements.

What if my question is not listed here?

Feel free to email us. We'll do our best to answer the most common questions. Please note that in may take several months for NVSCP to post answers to the website, given the volunteer nature of the membership committee.