Do You Need A Mentor/Therapist?

If so, what kind of therapist? For How Long? DO THEY REALLY WORK?

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Choosing between a psychologist and therapist depends on what concerns you’re hoping to address. Keep in mind that the terms “psychologist, Psychiatrist” “therapist,” and mentor or “counselor” indicate the professional’s level of education and training.

Do you need a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or a Life Counselor? or maybe a CBT (cognitive behavioral) Therapist?

There is a place for everything. Almost everything is necessary in some capacity or for some reason, even if only for a short time, and others for a longer duration. It stands to reason all of us might benefit from one of the above classifications to assist us in some way in our lives when we encounter unfamiliar territory.

I respect clinical therapists and practitioners that do the heavy-hitting hard aspect of overall mental health. They do the diagnosing and more that lets those like myself know what they are working with so we can do our part. All of us in this field know that we are great at certain things, and not so great at others. Or we just specialize in particular things. So we do refer to one another as those that we think are better for another therapist rather than ourselves. It’s the right thing to do and it is the best thing for the client. That is our job. I would hope that others have the same mindset that I do, that I work for you, the human being, and that takes precedence over “the paying client” just for the money to pay the bills motto. We do need to make a living too obviously, yet there is a sort of moral balance to be observed as well in some ways. Not everything is for everyone and not everyone can pay the going rate which may change as their lives change.

I adore the fact that not all medicine is just business, for the almighty dollar. It is a motto I live by that if we do the right things, the rest takes care of itself and the “good” things happen by default.

I hope this guide helps in some way but I am almost positive that it is not an exhaustive list of what these professionals do or can do, so I ask that you keep this in mind.

What do psychologists treat?

A psychologist may help with mental health concerns in the following ways: in addition to assessments, including medical tests to determine the cause of some mental illnesses.

• They research your condition and provide treatment recommendations
• Provide therapies and tools that may help your condition
• They often work with a psychiatrist to get prescription treatments (if needed)

Academic Degrees and Doctorates are often required, but College education is just one consideration. Degrees and Doctorates allow PSYCHIATRISTS to prescribe medication and Psychologists to confer with them as well as the ability to legally diagnose. They usually serve and practice for some specified duration in supervised practice prior to private practice. Many work under or with other organizations rather than practicing privately. Some practice at more than one location for other organizations. These kinds of Academically attained Degrees and Doctorates tend to be limited in scope and flexible thinking where it pertains to therapy, as it becomes more clinical than organic, as well as being quite prepared with in-depth assessment forms, tests, and diagnosis by the book. All is fine and well when you need an idea of what you are up against.
Once you know — you can then proceed to continue with them, or if you find they are not suited you may move on to one that better suits you and your needs and often at lesser fees than those with Degrees. Why pay for more than you need? Sometimes less = more.

Someone with a Psychologist’s Degree or a Psychiatrist’s Degree or PHD. can help you address undiagnosed mental health conditions and supplement long-term mental healthcare with recommendations based on academic literature or research. Psychologists may focus more on clinical assessments and medically related reasons and prescribe medications. They too look for an underlying cause but it is more physiological such as permanent conditions arrived at from birth, brain damage, or other damages that could result from excessive drug use such as bipolar or schizophrenia, and more that are generally lifelong conditions requiring permanent counsel and medication and perhaps letters for disability and letters for sexual affirmation/reassignment surgeries.

While psychologists tend to have more advanced education and training, this does not mean they‘re superior to therapists or counselors and vice versa.

All of these professionals are valuable to the mental health field, and they can help clients in different ways.

Overall, therapists and psychologists help you achieve your individual therapy goals. All tend to be open-minded, empathetic, and understanding. They generally allow your personal challenges to decide the course of your counseling, therapy, or treatment.

Ultimately, choosing between a psychologist, psychiatrist or another type of therapist depends on your needs and overall goals. Any type of mental health professional can help you establish and achieve therapy goals.

No matter which professional you end up choosing, make sure you’re comfortable with them so that you can build a solid foundation for successful results in the areas you feel you need improvement, as well as areas you may not know you need assistance in not only working with the known but the unseen and unknown aspects of yourself that have been safely hidden away from your awareness, that may be sabotaging you.

I primarity incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as part and parcel of my work. If you ask Google — Is cognitive behavioral therapy worth it?, you will see this answer at the top of the search that says :”Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications”, depending on the situation.

I have clients that would agree with that. I have clients that would benefit best from others in the mental health industry. Usually, they are those with a more clinical need that is diagnosed by a professional properly schooled toward those specific needs.

Photo of Author By the Author

What do therapists like myself treat?

Hi- I am Bradley Alexander Wolf. Pleased to cross paths with you. My business is simply under my name. I believe a name says a lot, if it comes with good character and Integrity. It’s a brand. Literally and figuratively.

Rather than researching or diagnosing any particular CLINICALLY diagnosed mental health condition, a therapist like myself will want to be aware of any that you may have, yet in my practice, the focus is generally on the following but certainly not limited to them:

• Gaining a big picture of your life and mental/emotional cycles and patterns.
• Helping you discuss your feelings and address them in a constructive way
• Guiding you through healthy decision-making processes to where you feel solid and sure in your choices and decisions in life
• Using talk therapy techniques that usually surprise you as to what comes up
• Employing critical thinking — logic and reasoning skills that will go far in the creation of your future outside of any therapy — is the ultimate goal
• Providing the LGBTQ+ communities with couples council, as well as individual Transgender counsel on all things trans for FTM and MTF since my partner is. I have great insight into male, female, lesbian, trans conditions, and situations pertaining to HRT therapy, sexual reassignment surgeries, and the challenges that come with those.
• I employ other supportive avenues of information for my clients while they are not with me to cause further learning and insights and questions they find they need more information on. After all, life does not happen on demand or by a pre-determined future time. My clients have permission to text me when something critical pops up — while it is happening, as that is the best time to learn how to respond and deal with things because we tend to forget details by the time our therapy appointment rolls around. It isn’t for every situation or all the time, of course, I wouldn’t humanely have time for every text from every client on a consistent basis so there are guidelines, of course, out of necessity.
  Emergencies are another story and are handled quite differently.

You will find that over a very short period of time — we get to the core of what has thrown your life off track and shut down your state of well-being. The idea is for you to actually receive help in ways that give the power TO YOU to sit squarely at the wheel of your life. I don’t want nor need you for the rest of your life, if you are in my life under therapy for YEARS and years, then I am not doing my job. I want you to go and thrive in your life and then — touch base with me now and again as life’s challenges throw you a curveball. I call these pre-emptive (catching a problem before it’s too big) visits. It’s like calling up a friend and talking and gaining some insight into how to approach whatever challenge you are up against.

CBT aims to transform any ways of thinking and behaving that stand in the way of positive outcomes. For example, when a person has depression, their perceptions and interpretations become distorted through paranoia, feelings of lack of self-worth, abandonment issues, and MORE.

On the other hand, Certified life counselors and CBT Therapists such as myself, though I am also schooled in Psychology to a large degree, but not degreed, (though they may differ in how they choose to specialize where it pertains to the human condition) are more flexible and well rounded with regards to the many and varied life challenges many face and is very familiar with teaching cognitive and critical thinking skills that aid with most conditions that cause anxiety, depression, eating disorders, phobias, self-harming, dysphorias, and more that have nothing to do with medical reasons such as actual damage to the brain or mental health.

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WHAT ABOUT DEGREES AND DOCTORATES? IS an Associates Degree or simply CERTIFICATION ENOUGH?

Some CBT and Life Counsel professionals may school in psychology or some other for so many hours and then become CERTIFIED to practice after having done so under supervision for a specified number of hours, weeks or years, etc…, it depends. This is the case for me, at age 59 I have studied in psychology , worked under and with Academic professionals and counseled others for many years quite successfully.
I worked under supervision with an organization called The Awakening Center that often dealt with people in th midst of great personal change as well as gifted children’s parents. I actually have 4 decades of working with people under my belt.

Counseling and therapy can be costly, yet I have made it affordable where I can and also will soon offer a self-help course that goes hand in hand and is a one-time fee.

The Course I will be bringing out in 2022 in the fall/winter called, A Piece Of Life, very much relies on all my experiences, personally and professionally while working with myself AND other people for most of my life. The school of life experience coupled with Academic Psychology and counseling others for many years has made me a very effective Mentor/Counselor/Therapist who is certified by certifications, and life itself as well as mentoring professionally. You are in very good hands and I seem to just be gifted for the work. The course will go FAR in expediting your skill and progress towards getting a handle on yourself and thus your life. It will bring you renewed confidence in yourself and empower you. All too often we give our power away to authorities and wait for them to tell us we are OK or worthy or successful or…whatever. When I am done with you, you will know it yourself and proclaim it as your own authority and be correct instead of idealistic, arrogant, or prideful.

Therapists like myself typically use a more holistic approach. This means discussing your whole person, environment, physical state, and emotional state. Teaching malleable coping skills (moveable boundaries) as well as immediate tools that alleviate discomfort and anxieties without pharmaceutical medications. We are looking to cure the underlying cause of your dis-ease, not put a bandaid on it.

Both psychologists and therapists may be beneficial for treating mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. A lot depends on what style of the person you prefer. Someone more clinical is usually in a relatively rigid environment, with rigid policy, and standards complete with a President, Secretaries, and more (which means more overhead and more cost, red tape, and less freedom for the practitioner), anyone that does not have insurance — it can be prohibitive to getting the help you need.

I have less overhead, do most of the work personally which does benefit you in the sense that I know everything going on with you and your situation. I see to getting your tools and assignments to you quickly and am personally involved in your daily and ongoing organically arising needs via text on an as-needed basis as well.

A RECENT TESTIMONIAL :

“I was expecting the typical sterile doctor patient’s situation but when I sat down and started talking with you during our session I was kind of caught off guard and thrown back by the laid-back casualness of your approach to it. That helped me to feel more comfortable with you than I was expecting to feel. I can’t thank you enough for doing your practice the way you do it. The sterility of normal textbook therapy kind of pushed many who need it off of getting it

~Dylan in Texas 2022

I offer Virtual audio/video where possible. And today it is more preferred due to convenience and the prohibitive gas prices. It also lets me keep my own overhead and costs down so I can pass those on to my clients more in need in the community. Let’s face it, the white coat syndrome or even the anxiety of getting to appointments on time or taking time from work is stressful. Without causing more stressors.

As A Professional mentor and Counsellor/therapist, I feel that it is important to be adequately skilled to evoke change in a patient’s life in a short time.
The following are general skills and abilities I employ in my sessions:

• I establish a strong working relationship quickly
• I provide thorough knowledge of the tools given to practice and reach goals
• I consistently research and keep up to date on the best practices that are the most effective
• In your introductory session-I am focused on getting a thorough and quick assessment of your concerns and goals as a client
• I am adept at structuring sessions and homework material to address problems
• I present material clearly and concisely with specific examples for each issue • I provide safe space, interpersonal variables: the ability to be assertive, directive, nonjudgmental and collaborative together.

I provide critical thinking methodologies and tools to bring clarity to you and the challenging issues life can place before you so that you may make informed and wise choices and decisions that go far when it comes to bringing quality and peace into your world.

Whether or not you need a psychologist, psychiatrist, mentor, counselor or CBT Therapist is really up to you unless you are in need of clinical assistance due to an actual brain disorder for whatever reason, in which case, it really isn’t a matter of if but when. A diagnosis like Bipolar disorder, Clinical Narcissism, Personality disorders, Schizophrenia, or a drug addiction clinic that is designed to have you live there for a time, and more. Whatever the condition, some may not be curable, but they can be managed and one can live a relatively normal life in spite of them. These are best treated by psychologists or psychiatrists and then managed with life counsel, or CBT therapy on an ongoing basis as a complementary therapy. One manages your condition and medication, the other manages your thinking skills and way of seeing things. In many cases when they are not available, we are. Consider those like myself to be in the trenches instead of on the hilltop. Like Doctors, and then all those under them that do the managing of things the doctors don’t tend to deal with.

If you feel your life is not on track where you would like it to be — or you are circling in place with the same old cycles and patterns that wreak havoc on your life and relationships, or if you are emotionally distraught more often than not and have difficulty dealing with conflict or chaos or change, and you don’t feel you are solid and sure in yourself and who you are? We can help., and it can make a world of difference NOW rather than 10 years later that was experienced in a very unhappy way.
Therapy (apart from actual brain damage) doesn’t mean you are sick or ill, or there is something WRONG WITH YOU, but it does mean something is wrong and needs help.

Like our body, we don’t notice it until something is wrong, taking the same cue for when our emotional health is off may mean our mental health needs some tweaking such as critical thinking skills, and proper use of reason and logic. Mentoring, counseling, and therapy ….can mean the difference between a mediocre life and one where you thrive.

The takeaway

As a child many many moons ago, I saw a psychologist and a psychiatrist, both Ph.D.’s — for just a few sessions each since I was in foster care then. I can’t say they helped me at all in my particular case. Often, depending on how long they have been practicing, they can become jaded and less sensitive. Especially those that work for the State and Government, as those were that worked with me a few times. They are not easily fired and can become apathetic and bored and it’s all they can do to get through the day. It happens in all professions, yet in any medical field, being overly sensitive and empathetic even sympathetic can take its toll on anyone after a while if they don’t have a balanced work-life opportunity.
I am not saying ALL of them are this way — certainly NOT. But many can be and it’s something to look out for so you don’t fall into that kind of care.
They certainly could not heal me of my ailment of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or what many of you may know as conversion therapy, nowadays we know this does not work.
I won’t be disrespectful, they have their place and they do many great things. They simply were not right for me in my case. I went on to school in Psychology and found it limiting and then went on to spend my life healing myself and then assisting others to heal themselves, quite successfully.

Ultimately, choosing between a psychologist or a therapist/counselor/mentor depends on your needs and overall goals. Either type of mental health professional can help you establish and achieve therapy goals. If I feel I am not suited to your needs I would refer you out to or recommend that you see a different kind of therapist. THAT IS WHY WE OFFER YOUR FIRST VISIT FREE so we can determine if we are a good fit.

No matter which professional you end up choosing, make sure you’re comfortable with them so that you can build a solid foundation, that is clear about your ongoing treatment and anticipated duration of necessary treatment, rather than committing to a lifelong therapy that might not offer you immediate relief and is dependent on a different style that requires shorter visits and a longer commitment along with higher rates.

I have known people that were in therapy for years that had hundreds of sessions whereby they were essentially just talking and venting and never really healed or made any real headway in progressing to being a solid and sure individuals at the wheel of their own life that would eventually be free of therapy altogether. Make sure you are not that person.
Friends are free. Therapists are supposed to help you and hold you accountable to someone so you can reach your goals. Make sure you know what those are and choose the type of care you need accordingly.

I do not handle ongoing addictions of alcohol or drugs, those are best handled by the institutions that specialize in them and have buddy systems. I do not handle smoking cessation therapy though that might occur on its own when certain stressors are alleviated. I do not diagnose nor prescribe medications. I do not counsel or treat for schizophrenia or mental health conditions that severely inhibit or prohibit cognitive function of the brain that disable the ability to function normally or reverse the condition once successful therapy is employed.

Therapy CAN STILL BE SUCCESSFUL FOR bi-polar and many of the clinically diagnosed ‘DISORDERS”. Once certain skills are in place, as long as you are able to learn them and critical thinking skills, you can still benefit greatly just as anyone else would, while at the same time having your condition managed with medications and regular checkups. i HIGHLY RECOMMEND TALKING TO ME FIRST and allow me to determine whether or not we can work together for your benefit.

I have pages of testimonials. I am happy to provide them on request.
I provide a safe space, easy and friendly without judgment no matter what it may be you need to talk about, and no matter what you have done or what has occurred in your life. I WORK ON A SLIDING SCALE if you cannot afford my regular rate. Often I take the same amount a co-pay would have been, should you lose your insurance for some reason.

Something I tell all my clients is to always include themselves in virtually every context and situation. You’re important too. So yes, this objective article is also including me in it. Recognizing that we have actual value that we actually see in our own lives is not bragging, it’s informing. I am informing you, the reader that I have something different to offer, something more transparent and authentic than is the norm. The world needs to change and become something between the stuffy corporate state and the flower children of the 60s. I think it’s the sweet spot of the future. I’m that sweet spot right now and holding space for it so that others can see the benefits and come on board too.

Question:

My partner has depression. Will CBT help, and how can I get them to sign up for a course?

Answer:

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for depression and, depending on the severity of your partner’s depression, will likely help.

It is hard when someone we love is struggling and is reluctant to seek help.

The best way to encourage your partner toward therapy is to discuss their concerns and fears about going to therapy, rather than telling them they have to go.

Be supportive and let them know it is not that you think something is wrong with them, but that you want them to have some help with their current challenges. Sometimes, people who are depressed want help but don’t know how to get started.

Offering to help them find a therapist and schedule the first appointment can also make them more likely to commit to therapy.

Here are a few testimonials with regards to me. Thank you for your time.

“Bradley Wolf treated me with respect and intelligence. He delivers the plain truth, no gimmicks, no decorative parables. No artificial paradigms or misleading tricks. Just REAL. Getting right into the core of things and real progress was the result. It was when I received The grace of Clarity for many issues on just our 2nd encounter. This has been a groundbreaking game-changer for me. He is present, focused, caring, and of the utmost integrity.” ~Carlo Difresa, Morocco

“Mr. Wolf goes beyond the way most minds think. I like that he can’t wait to improve the life of someone who is willing to listen and take action. His Inspirations are so thorough, I can’t help but agree with them. Most of the time, before I finish reading his methods, he has already answered my questions, with answers that resonate with me. I do like to read his work, and I have grown in the ways that my mind could not at one time accept”, and that has improved my life in ways I hadn’t considered. ~Billy King, Texas

“I think you, Mr. Wolf, are a terrific leader that can inspire anyone wanting to go deep in their understanding or commitments related to Theosophy, Theology, Esoterism, Philosophy, life, death, and beyond. I would not doubt for a single second to recommend you and your FB group called A Piece Of Life, or your works and teachings to anyone as a means to enhance knowledge and understanding” ~ Jose Luis Salazar, Chile

I LOVE THIS MAN! I am not sure how he does what others only claim to be able to do, but he has expanded my view, altered my perceptions, and literally changed my life through my own mind and by my own hand. I am now able to navigate life in a new way with newfound confidence. I now understand how I co-create which means I can get what I need again and again. There’s nothing more valuable than that, what a treasure to discover! ~ Susan Edelman, Georgia

Sessions are set up to be weekly the firs

Visit me on Social Media Here.

Visit me on Social Media Here.