People often wonder whether they should go to a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, or coach in order to improve the quality of their personal and professional lives.
There is no easy answer! However, I decided to create a very simple and brief guide* that should help you out.
Please note that this is a somewhat simplified view of a highly complex field, so be prepared to encounter exceptions and considerable overlap.
Also, note that this is my personal opinion based on around 10 years of academic studies and experience in the mental health and personal growth industries of Lithuania.
1) Go to a psychiatrist if you are experiencing immense emotional (and physical) pain, and you are looking for a quick diagnosis accompanied by possible treatment options.
2) Go to a counseling psychologist if you are feeling down or stressed out and you want someone to provide you with emotional support and comfort
If you have a history with mental disorders, look up a clinical psychologist
If you have a history with medical conditions, look up a medical psychologist
If you do not have a history with mental disorders or medical conditions, look up any psychologist
3) Go to a therapist if you want to understand yourself better and to experience long-term changes in how you think, feel, and relate to others
If you are interested in your upbringing and its effects on your relationships, look up psychologists or medical doctors who are trained in psychoanalytic (Freudian), analytic (Jungian), individual (Adlerian), or psychodynamic therapy
If you are interested in understanding the relationship between your feelings, thoughts, and behavior, look up psychologists or medical doctors who are trained in cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, or dialectic therapy
If you are interested in understanding your place in the world and the meaning of life, look up psychologists or medical doctors who are trained in existential or meaning-centered therapy
If you are interested in understanding your bodily and sensory sensations, look up psychologists or medical doctors who are trained in gestalt, body, or mindfulness-based therapies
If you are interested in improving your relationship with your partner or family member, look up psychologists or medical doctors who are trained in couples or family therapy
If you are interested in improving your relationships in general, look up psychologists or medical doctors who are trained in group or systems therapy
If you are interested in less talkative approaches, look up professionals who are trained in expressive therapies, such as art, dance, music, or psychodrama
4) Go to a coach if you are feeling well, but you want to achieve specific short-term or long-term goals in your area of interest
If you want to become a better leader, go to an executive coach, especially if they have practical experience in leading other people
If you want to improve your business results, go to a business coach, especially if they have practical experience in creating (and dissolving) a business
If you want to improve or switch your career path, go to a career coach, especially if they have a background in organizational studies (e.g. HR, org. psychology)
If you want to become more productive, go to a performance coach, especially if they have a background in behavioral studies (e.g. performance psychology)
If you want to improve your health, go to a health coach, especially if they have a background in health sciences (e.g. health psychology, public health)
If you want to improve your general wellbeing, go to a life coach, especially if they have a background in psychological sciences (e.g. positive psychology)
This is a working document, so I am expecting to update it from time to time.
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