What To Expect From Psychologists Spokane, WA

You’ve been struggling for a while, and have decided you want to look into local psychologists. At least, that’s what you think you should be looking for, but you are feeling unclear on what a psychologist actually does.

What to expect from psychologists in Spokane

As a psychologist in Spokane, I’ve noticed that many people feel confused about what a psychologist actually does, and how they might be similar or different from other mental health providers (like counselors, therapists, or social workers). Here are a few things you can expect from a psychologist:

Psychologists are highly trained.

Licensed psychologists have earned doctorate degrees in the field of psychology. It usually takes five to six years to earn this degree, with education in the theory and practice of mental health therapy, psychological assessment, and psychological research. During this time, they complete a dissertation (a write-up of original research) and a year-long, full-time predoctoral internship. After graduation, many psychologists complete additional training for a year or two in a postdoctoral fellowship. In all, psychologists can have as many as 6 to 8 years of training completed before becoming licensed and practicing independently!

Psychologists often have specialized training.

Postdoctoral fellowships often are more narrow in focus than the training psychologists get prior to graduating. This means that psychologists are able to develop specific skill sets in various areas of psychology. For example, my general focus in graduate school was on clinical psychology. I gained a breadth of knowledge. During a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in trauma psychology, I focused primarily in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military populations and became certified in a gold-standard treatment for PTSD (Prolonged Exposure Therapy). When you look for a psychologist you likely find that they have specialized trainings for specific disorders or specific populations (pediatric, geriatric, military, etc.).

Psychologists may provide therapy, psychological assessment, or both.

Licensed psychologists generally have training that allows them to offer comprehensive assessments and provide mental health treatment, but not all of them offer both services. You will want to make sure the psychologists you find offer the service you need.

A free therapy consultation with a psychologist in Spokane

I hope this helps you better understand what to expect from a psychologist in Spokane, WA. If you are looking for support, contact me for a free 15-minute consultation.

Looking for a particular psychological specialty? I specialize in trauma and PTSD, combat PTSD, and high achievers with anxiety.