Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thervo.
How much does a psychologist cost?
A psychologist costs$100 to $250 per session if the treatment is not covered by insurance, depending on their experience, specialty, and location. Prices are on the high end of the range in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York. With insurance, the average cost of a visit with a psychologist is $20 to $60 per session for the copay.
Online therapy costs$50 to $110 per week through websites offering membership plans or $85 to $135+ per session through an online provider network. Online therapy membership plans typically include support from a licensed psychologist, therapist, or mental health counselor via texting, online chat, or email. Plans priced at the higher end of the range also include one or two therapy sessions per week via video.
What is a psychologist and what do they do?
A psychologist is a licensed mental health professional who studies human behavior and uses an assortment of treatment methods to help people improve their lives. A psychologist can help you understand your emotions, cope with stressful situations, and strengthen your self-esteem. Psychologists guide you in making the necessary changes in your thinking and behavior to improve your mental and emotional health.
A psychologist can help you with a variety of short-term and long-term problems:
Depression and mood disorders
Anxiety and panic attacks
Stressful situations
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Eating disorders
Gender or sexual identity concerns
Self-esteem and body image concerns
Marriage and relationship problems
Grief or loss
Anger management
Addiction
Can a psychologist prescribe medication?
Only five states allow licensed psychologists to prescribe medication—Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Psychologists in these states must complete additional psychopharmacology training and certification before being allowed to write prescriptions.
In the rest of the U.S., only a medical doctor can prescribe medication. Your psychologist may refer you to your general practitioner or a psychiatrist for a prescription if needed.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychologist is not a medical doctor but is trained in helping clients with mental health conditions. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication—except in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico—but can diagnose issues like depression, anxiety, or phobias and provide talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or other treatments.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who is authorized to prescribe medication. While psychiatrists will diagnose your condition and determine the proper treatment plan, they typically don't offer talk therapy and will refer you to a psychologist for those services instead.
Can a psychologist diagnose ADHD, autism, depression, or other conditions?
A licensed psychologist can diagnose mental health conditions in all states except Indiana and Maine. However, the psychologist must refer clients to a psychiatrist or other medical doctor if the condition requires medication. Consult a psychologist near you if you have concerns about ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions.
How can I find the best psychologist near me?
When seeking a psychologist for mental health care, first consider the type of therapy you would prefer. Common methods include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Humanistic therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
Once you've decided which therapy method you'd like to pursue, follow these tips to find the best psychologist for you:
Choose psychologists who specialize in your area of concern.
Identify at least three potential psychologists to choose from.
Ask for recommendations from your medical provider.
Read psychologists' reviews on Thervo and Google.
Confirm the psychologist is licensed to practice in your area.
Speak with the psychologist via phone to discuss the questions shown below.
Schedule an initial session to make sure the psychologist's communication and treatment style is a good fit for you.
What questions should I ask psychologists?
Ask these questions to help you find a psychologist who is the best fit for you:
How long have you been practicing?
Are you licensed as a psychologist in this state?
What experience do you have in treating clients with my concern?
What therapy style or treatment methods do you commonly use for this issue?
What does a typical session look like?
Do you give homework or reading assignments?
How do you determine success in therapy?
What is your success rate in treating past clients with this issue?
Will you see me if I run into problems between sessions?
Do you accept my health insurance? Will you bill the insurance company directly?
Are there any exceptions to the confidentiality rules for my treatment sessions?
Reviews for Oakland psychologists
Recent success stories from people in the Oakland area.
Gabrielle T.
Renee was amazing! I was working on a big career transition; healthcare to the corporate world and was feeling lost. She helped me identify my career goals, translate my experience into a new resume, and taught me how to communicate my skills for the job I wanted. She was patient and supportive and had lots of great tips and knowledge! I was able to successfully secure a new job in the field I wanted. I highly recommend Renee's services!
Associates Consulting Group
Sivalingan B.
I had sciatic nerve pain and my left side leg and shoulder were painful. Kulwarn sir helped me ease the pain and taught me stretches to strengthen my balance. Highly recommend for any type of sports injury
Kulwarn Healer
M K.
"I decided to take on your hypnotherapy service to help take care of old memories that have been affecting me for the last 20 years. Despite trying various solutions, including medication, nothing was working. Therefore, I decided to try hypnotherapy, hoping that your expertise could finally provide the relief I need.
Before I took on your hypnotherapy service, my life was significantly impacted by my past. I was always haunted by my old memories, and this was especially true regarding the people in my life, particularly my in-laws. These unresolved issues had a profound effect on my overall well-being, making it difficult to move forward and find peace.
Before starting hypnotherapy, I was always scared because of how it was interpreted in movies. I worried that it could hold people in their past and they wouldn't be able to return. However, working with my hypnotherapist cleared up these misconceptions. He explained how hypnotherapy works, assuring me that it doesn't erase past memories but can change how I perceive them—basically not giving them the importance I had been. Despite my skepticism, I decided there was no harm in trying, and I am glad I did.
Through the process of hypnotherapy, I've experienced significant changes, transformations, and healing. No doubt, there are times when my past comes to mind or certain occasions trigger those old memories. However, I noticed that it's now like a simple click, and the memory clicks away. I don't get into deep thinking and cry over it anymore. Instead, I'm able to put the past aside and look forward to peace. I've learned to go with the flow and embrace a more positive outlook on life.
Since I began your hypnotherapy service, I have been capable of letting go of things that used to weigh heavily on my mind – this has brought me peace. In fact, I can't help but feel a twinge of regret for not seeking out hypnotherapy sooner. I realize now how much time I wasted dwelling on painful memories. However, I'm grateful for the progress I've made and the positive impact it's had on my life - my ability to turn negatives into positives. Furthermore, I've been able to forgive those who have hurt me in the past. This act of forgiveness has not only released me from the burden of resentment but has also contributed to my overall sense of well-being and inner peace.
Overall, engaging in hypnotherapy has enabled me to let go of the past, embrace positivity, and cultivate forgiveness in my life.
Since taking on your hypnotherapy service, I envision a life where I can approach challenges with a positive mindset, equipped with the ability to forgive not only the past but also anything in my present. This journey has empowered me to embrace life's journey with resilience and optimism.
If you're considering taking on hypnotherapy service, my advice is to go for it without a second thought, especially when nothing else seems to work. There's truly nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Farzin helped me not only set aside things that were consuming my time and health but also provided the tools to start living a more positive life - especially talking to my inner child. Plus, I also found a good friend in the process. Don't hesitate to embark on this journey—it could be the key to unlocking your own personal self that has been lost in the past.
When it feels like there's no light at the end of the tunnel, consider giving hypnotherapy a try. It could be the path that leads you towards healing and brighter days ahead. Thank you Farzin!"
Solistic Hypnosis
James B.
I had very good experience working with Michele! I am especially impressed by how some of her practical advice--by which I mean specific actions and habits drawn from insights--has had a measurable positive effect on my daily life. Very satisfied!
Bodhi Biz LLC
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