How do you get a therapist

How to Find a Therapist That’s Right for You: 9 Key Tips

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Medically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — By Rebecca Joy Stanborough, MFA and Melissa Lee — Updated on January 23, 2023

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Pay attention to red flags

Regardless of whether you see a therapist in-person or virtually for the first time, you’ll want to pay attention to any factors that make you feel uncomfortable. Therapy is meant to be a welcoming and accepting space for any and all feelings that come up.

Some red flags to potentially look out for include:

Does the room make you feel physically uncomfortable? Does it feel private and secure?
Are you experiencing overwhelming feelings of anxiety or panic? Some anxiety or nervousness is understandable, but you’ll want to communicate to your therapist if you’re experiencing symptoms of an anxiety or panic attack.
Do you feel comfortable telling your therapist anything? Are they making you feel judged or uneasy in any way?
Is your therapist completely present with you throughout your session?

No matter how many professional accreditations your therapist has, your own feelings of trust and comfort should be your top priority. Will therapy be uncomfortable from time to time? Possibly. After all, you’ll likely be discussing difficult, personal topics.

But if you feel uncomfortable with your therapist for any other reason, it’s all right to look for someone else.

You don’t need a reason to switch therapists. It’s enough that you don’t feel comfortable.

Here are a few things to notice as you talk with your therapist:

Does the therapist interrupt you, or do they listen carefully to what you’re saying?
Does the therapist respect your time by being prompt to appointments?
Does the therapist brush off or invalidate your concerns?
Do you feel seen, heard, and respected during your session?

Teletherapy, which is therapy done remotely over the phone or via videoconferencing, makes it easy to explore therapy and its options. It’s convenient, and studies have shown that therapy conducted over video chat can be just as effective as in-person therapy.

Here are some options.

BetterHelp

This option has over 12,000 licensed professionals in its network, including psychologists, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists. BetterHelp therapists can help people with anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, and other issues.

Read our full review of BetterHelp here.

Get 20% off your first month with code “healthline.”

Get started with BetterHelp

Talkspace

With over 3,000 licensed therapists, Talkspace offers options for people with a wide range of needs, from depression to PTSD. They offer counseling for individuals, couples, and teens.

Read our full review of Talkspace here.

Get $100 off using code “SPACE.”

Get started with Talkspace

Amwell

If you’re looking for physical and psychological health services, with doctor or therapist visits available 24/7, Amwell is a great user-friendly platform. Couples and individual therapy sessions are available for trauma, depression, life transitions, and more.

Read our full review of Amwell here.

Get started with Amwell

Teen Counseling

This is a great resource for teens ages 13 to 19 and caregivers. The therapists in Teen Counseling specialize in issues affecting teens, such as stress and eating disorders. The platform offers live chats, phone calls, videoconferencing, and messaging with licensed therapists.

Read our full review of Teen Counseling here.

Get started with Teen Counseling

Pride Counseling

This option offers safe and supportive mental health services for LGBTQ+ people. Pride Counseling matches you with a counselor who fits your therapy objectives and needs.

Read our full review of Pride Counseling here.

Get started with Pride Counseling

Comparison chart

	Pricing	Insurance coverage	Highlights	What it’s best for
BetterHelp	ranges from $60–$90 a week, depending on your plan and how often you see your therapist; you’ll be billed monthly	—	– talk with your therapist via text, live chat, phone call, and video – easy to change therapists – financial aid available	quick and easy access to licensed professionals
Talkspace	$276–$396 per month, depending on which plan you choose	some insurance plans may cover Talkspace costs	– no contracts, so you can cancel anytime – couples therapy and psychiatry services available	comprehensive mental health care
Amwell	therapy visits start at $99 per session	accepted by some insurance networks	– appointments are available 24/7 – you can choose your therapist	low cost counseling
Teen Counseling	ranges from $60–$90 per week	—	– messages remain private, with some exceptions – great option for teens hesitant about beginning counseling	teenagers interested in starting counseling
Pride Counseling	$60–$90 per week	—	– all counselors have a minimum of 3 years and 1,000 hours of experience providing therapy – you can switch therapists at any point	members of the LGBTQIA+ community

In the event that you meet with a therapist for the first time and decide that they’re not a good match for you, know that that’s completely fine. It’s totally normal and happens to many people who are looking for the right therapist for them. It can take some time to find someone that you feel completely comfortable with.

At the end of your first session, your therapist may want to schedule another appointment. If you know that you do not want to meet with them again, you can let them know that while you appreciate their time, you don’t think that it’s a good match at this time.

If you feel uncomfortable communicating this to them face-to-face, you can also text, call, or even email them to let them know you’re no longer interested in seeing them.

Regardless of how you choose to tell them, it’s important that you do inform them, instead of not showing up to your next appointment without an explanation. Many therapists have cancellation policies, so make sure you cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment to avoid a fee.

Therapists and psychiatrists aim to treat mental health conditions and improve emotional well-being. But there are key differences between the two professions.

Therapists

Therapists are licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and counselors. They aim to help people manage their emotions, build healthier relationships, and understand themselves better.

Therapists use talk therapy and behavior modification techniques to help people make positive life changes. During therapy, they can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.

Therapy typically suits people who want to learn more about themselves and make long-lasting changes in their lives. It may also help people with mild mental health conditions.

Most therapists have a master’s degree and may have a doctorate. All licensed therapists have to have at least a master’s degree.

Generally, therapists can’t prescribe medications. But in some states, psychologists with specialist pharmacology training can prescribe certain medications.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Because they hold medical degrees, psychiatrists can prescribe medication.

Psychiatrists may use a combination of talk therapy and medication to treat mental health conditions.

Working with both a therapist and a psychiatrist may be the better option for people who experience more severe symptoms and may benefit from a combination of therapy and medication to help treat their symptoms.

Other types of mental health professionals

	What they are	What they can do	Qualifications
Therapist	a mental health professional who can provide a safe space for people who want to talk through life issues, changes, or symptoms of a mental health condition	– perform talk therapy – diagnose and treat mental health conditions	– a master’s or doctorate degree – may specialize in a particular area, like marriage and family therapy or trauma processing
Psychiatrist	a person in the mental health field who focuses more on biological factors (genetics, social sciences, neurology, for instance)	– diagnose and treat mental health conditions – prescribe medications – order medical tests – perform a comprehensive mental health exam	– one of two medical degrees: doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) – in the U. S., board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology – 4-year residency
Psychologist	a mental health professional who uses talk therapy and psychological evaluations to help patients	– perform talk therapy – help clients with issues not related to specific mental health conditions, like stress, grief, or big life changes – administer exams and assessments to help diagnose a condition	– a doctorate degree – a 1-year full-time supervised internship during graduate school -a 1-year full-time supervised post-doctoral fellowship after graduate school – a national exam
Social worker	a professional who works with different types of people and communities to help guide them to living a healthier, happier life	– work in settings like hospitals, mental health facilities, schools, and halfway houses – coach individuals or groups by discussing issues like communication, empathy, organizational techniques, and self-care skills	– a master’s degree in social work (MSW) – 2 years of supervised clinical experience after graduate school – a license in the state they practice in
Licensed professional counselor	someone who may specialize in a certain type of therapy approach (cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, or interpersonal therapy, for example) and may work alongside a person’s medical doctors to provide a more holistic approach to therapy	– perform talk therapy – treat mental health conditions and issues like anxiety, depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, and others – in some states, they can provide a diagnosis	– licensing varies by state, but many have a master’s degree in counseling and 2–3 years of supervised experience

How much does therapy cost?

The cost of therapy can depend on the type of therapy, the therapist’s experience, and whether you’re talking with a therapist in person or through teletherapy.

Therapists may charge between $100 and $200 per session for in-person appointments. But in bigger cities, therapy can cost more. Some therapists may offer sliding scale rates. If you have insurance, you may pay a portion of the fee depending on your coverage.

Teletherapy is generally less costly. The price per session starts at around $50. Some platforms offer unlimited therapy with a weekly or monthly subscription.

What types of therapy are there?

There are many different types of therapy, and the type you choose will depend on your needs and preferences. Some common types include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT combines elements of CBT with structured skill-building in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Psychodynamic therapy: This type of therapy focuses on your unconscious thoughts and emotions.
Interpersonal therapy: The focus of interpersonal therapy is on your relationships with other people.
Family therapy: This type of therapy helps families resolve conflict and improve communication.
Group therapy: In this type of therapy, you meet with a group of people who share similar experiences.
Art therapy: This type of therapy uses art to express emotions and help process trauma.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: EMDR is an interactive form of psychotherapy used to relieve psychological and trauma-based stress.

What are the benefits of therapy?

Therapy has several benefits, including improving mental health, resolving personal issues, and increasing self-awareness. Therapy can also help people learn new coping skills and manage stress.

Some people see therapy as a way to prevent mental health issues or as a way to address underlying causes of mental health conditions. Others use therapy to work through traumas or difficult life events.

Therapy is an effective treatment for many mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eating disorders.

Whether you’re coping with grief, trauma, or relationship issues, or want treatment for a mental health condition, finding a helpful therapist can make a big difference in your journey.

To find a therapist who’s a good fit, start by considering practical matters like licensure, insurance coverage, location, and specialties.

You may find that friends, colleagues, and healthcare professionals are a good source of referrals. You may also find options by using search tools provided by organizations that address your specific concerns.

When you’ve narrowed down your choices, you may find it helpful to think about your goals and questions. This way you can be sure you and your therapist are well matched and aligned on your treatment plan.

Ultimately, finding the right therapist is a personal matter. Human connection is at the heart of effective therapy, and you can build that sense of connection whether you talk with your therapist in person, on the phone, or online.

Last medically reviewed on January 23, 2023

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Allen M, et al. (2017). Patient-provider therapeutic alliance contributes to patient activation in community mental health clinics.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5735851/
How to choose a psychologist. (2019).
apa.org/topics/choose-therapist
Langarizadeh M, et al. (2017). Telemental health care, an effective alternative to conventional mental care: A systematic review.
ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5723163/
Marcelle ET, et al. (2019). Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6364202/
Norcross J. (n.d.). Conclusions and recommendations of the interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) task force on evidence-based therapy relationships.
societyforpsychotherapy.org/evidence-based-therapy-relationships/

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Medically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — By Rebecca Joy Stanborough, MFA and Melissa Lee — Updated on January 23, 2023

How to Find a Therapist

Whether an adult or child needs therapy, finding the right therapist takes research, patience, and intuition.

Written by Jeanie Lerche Davis

Medically Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD

You need to find a therapist. Your life, your child, your marriage is suffering. But for many people, this task is daunting.

There's the alphabet soup of PhDs, PsyDs, MDs, MSs, and MSWs, not to mention all the labels -- psychiatrist, psychologist, marriage & family therapist, family counselor, licensed professional counselor, social worker.

It's true; all these therapists provide mental health services. But each brings different training, experience, insights, and character to the table. How can you find a therapist who is right for your needs?

Take heart, for the search will be worth the effort. "A good therapist, however you find them, is gold," Don Turner, MD, a private practice psychiatrist for 30 years in Atlanta, tells WebMD. "A good therapist is nonjudgmental, accepting, and patient. Otherwise, our patients are just getting what they grew up with."

First, let's look at the professional labels:

Psychiatrists: These are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental or psychiatric illnesses. They have medical training and are licensed to prescribe drugs. They are also trained in psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, which aims to change a person's behaviors or thought patterns.

Psychologists: These are doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) experts in psychology. They study the human mind and human behavior and are also trained in counseling, psychotherapy, and psychological testing -- which can help uncover emotional problems you may not realize you have.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the psychologist's main treatment tool -- to help people identify and change inaccurate perceptions that they may have of themselves and the world around them. Psychologists are not licensed to prescribe medications. However, they can refer you to a psychiatrist if necessary.

Social Workers: These are specialists that provide social services in health-related settings that now are governed by managed care organizations. Their goal is to enhance and maintain a person's psychological and social functioning -- they provide empathy and counseling on interpersonal problems. Social workers help people function at their best in their environment, and they help people deal with relationships and solve personal and family problems.

Licensed Professional Counselors. These counselors are required by state licensure laws to have at least a master's degree in counseling and 3,000 hours of post-master's experience. They are either licensed or certified to independently diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, says W. Mark Hamilton, PhD, executive director of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

Counselors can help a wide range of problems, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress management, self-esteem issues, issues of aging, emotional health, and family, parenting, and marital or other relationship problems. They often work closely with other mental health specialists.

Get the Best ADHD Treatment for Your Kid.

Sorting It Out

When you start your search, keep an open mind. A therapist does not need decades of experience -- or a sheepskin from an ivy-league school -- to be helpful, says Turner.

"It used to be that a psychiatrist was considered most qualified because he or she had more education," Turner tells WebMD. "But that's not true anymore. Some psychiatrists got their licenses 25 years ago and haven't kept up. Many psychiatrists who are trained today just handle medications. You can have a primary care doctor do that -- it's not like psychiatrists are indispensable!"

Turner refers patients to professional counselors and social workers when appropriate. They often specialize in counseling couples and families and coordinating group therapy sessions, he says. "Some are good, some aren't. Some are excellent."

"Credentials aren't everything," says Robert Baker, PhD, a psychologist and program director of the behavioral medicine unit at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. "Even people with great credentials aren't necessarily great therapists. They may be smart, but that doesn't mean they have good common sense."

Where to Start?

Collect Names. "Don't start with three names from your managed care company," advises Avrum Geurin Weiss, PhD, author of the book, Experiential Psychotherapy: A Symphony of Selves. He is a child/adolescent psychologist and director the Pine River Psychotherapy Training Institute in Atlanta.

Very likely, you don't have the company's entire list of providers, Weiss tells WebMD. "Insist on getting the whole provider list. Then ask friends and colleagues if they know a psychologist or psychiatrist who could make recommendations from that list."

He gets plenty of calls from people who say, "I have Aetna insurance. I know you're not an Aetna provider, but can you look at my list?"

"They fax it to me, and I make recommendations. I do it all the time," he says.

Other sources:

Call a university psychiatry or psychology department and ask recommendations of people trained in that program. "At least that way you know they're under scrutiny," says Turner.
If you're moving to a new city, ask your current therapist for referrals, or have him check with colleagues.
Call a large clinic; ask the receptionist for recommendations. "They know who specializes in what," Baker tells WebMD. "They can match you up pretty well."
Check with friends and family.

If you're embarrassed about asking for help, get over it, advises Weiss. "Get past the stigma. The outcome's too important."

Also, check with professional associations to learn about a therapist's expertise -- whether they provide psychotherapy, if they treat children, etc. The American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association both provide such lists for people wanting to find a therapist.

The First Appointment

Ask questions: How long has the therapist been in practice? How many patients have had your problem? What were the results? Ask about policies, fees, payment. "But don't bargain hunt for mental health care," says Weiss.

"You find a therapist in the same way you choose any health care professional," he tells WebMD. "They must be professional, credentialed, and competent, with no lawsuits against them. And they must be an intuitive fit -- you can't underestimate the absolute value of feeling a good intuitive match with somebody. Also, if you ask them questions about themselves, and they get defensive, go somewhere else."

Another important point: Has your therapist been in therapy? "I'm shocked at the therapists who have never undergone personal psychotherapy," Weiss tells WebMD. "They have to have resolved their own issues, or they will steer you away from things they are not comfortable with. They may also bring their own issues into your therapy."

Ask yourself:

Do I feel reasonably OK with this person? "Feeling totally comfortable isn't the best criteria, because if you're too comfortable, you're just chit chatting, and that doesn't help you," says Baker.
Is the therapist really listening to me? Is he or she asking enough questions? Especially in the first sessions, the therapist should be asking many questions, to become acquainted with you and the issues you are dealing with.
Has the therapist asked what outcome you want from therapy -- how you want your life to be? How will you know when you get there, if neither the patient nor the therapist has established a goal?
Do you feel satisfied with the therapist's resources? For example, do you have to find your own therapy group? Or is your therapist checking with colleagues about a group appropriate for you?
Does what the therapist say make sense? Does it seem like bad advice? Does it help you or not?

Baker says patients don't always like his suggestions -- yet he knows from intuition and experience that its good advice.

Example: Your husband uses profanity constantly when talking to you; you want him to quit. Baker suggests that you mirror your husband's behavior -- you use profanity the next time he does -- a technique he knows will work. "People are always resistant to that, they don't want to 'sink that low,' but then they're amazed at how well it works," Baker says. "It's not that you should take up bad habits, but that he stop his."

Child/Adolescent Therapy

"It's tough finding a good child psychotherapist," says Weiss. "Not many people have much experience working with adolescents. You can end up with a therapist trained to work with adults, but they work with adolescents because they have an adolescent or because they like working with adolescents."

A pediatrician can often make a referral, he tells WebMD. "I warn people about school counselors making referrals; they are overwhelmed and busy, don't follow up to see if good work is happening."

Also, check with other parents. "I recommend that parents identify two or three therapists that they find acceptable, then let your kid pick from among them. That's so they have a voice in this," Weiss advises.

Eugenio Rothe, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Miami and director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic at Jackson Memorial Hospital, offered his insights.

Pediatricians and professional counselors should not be treating a child for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), he tells WebMD. "More than 75% of children with ADHD are treated by a pediatrician or primary care doctor. But studies show that 40% to 60% of those children have another psychiatric diagnosis. How can a pediatrician [or counselor] diagnose that?"

"Professional honesty is very important -- referring patients to other professionals when you're not trained to handle the problem," says Rothe. "Many psychologists feel very threatened by psychiatrists, that they will lose the patient if they make a referral. But they're doing a disservice by not getting patients get the help they need."

Psychiatrists understand both the body and the brain, and that's a critical difference, he explains. "Depression may begin with a situational problem in your life, but that event causes chemical changes in your brain. Once those chemical changes are established, you have a chemical imbalance. If you treat depression as something abstract, you won't get to the fact that it's a chemical imbalance that needs be treated."

He retells one landmark court case: A man with what's known as "agitated depression" wore out three pairs shoes from pacing for more than six months in a mental health facility. Talk therapy was not helping, so he signed himself out, went to a psychiatrist, got medications, and got completely better in six weeks.

"He sued the hospital, said he hadn't received appropriate treatment, and he won," says Rothe.

The lesson for therapists: You are making a patient suffer unnecessarily if you don't treat the depression effectively -- or if you don't help them find a therapist who can.

Local therapist at the address: how to find out, call

Patients of polyclinics periodically face the question - how to find out the local therapist at the address? We will try to talk about ways to solve this problem in our article.

This need arises in many situations. For example, a person suffering from a chronic illness has moved to a new place of residence. He constantly needs to be observed by a medical specialist. Therefore, he should contact the clinic and find out:

Last name, first name and patronymic of the district general practitioner.
Schedule of his appointments.

There are also situations when medical organizations change the boundaries of medical areas. In this case, taking the initiative and getting to know your specialist before the need arises for a visit to him will be a reasonable step.

Content

1 Information
2 Why
3 Ways
- 3.1 By phone
- 3.2 on the Internet website Mos.ru
- 3.3 through the EMIAS system
- 3.4 through public services by the policy of the policy
4 Dethy therapist
5 Call to the house

Information

Previously, in order to find out his district doctor , the patient had to either call the clinic or make a personal visit there. This is not always convenient and entails:

Loss of time.
Spending extra money on public transport or taxis.
Possibility of becoming infected during an unscheduled visit to the clinic.
The need to stand in line at the registration desk.

Modern technologies make it possible to solve the problem not only in traditional ways, but also via the Internet.

Why is it needed

Currently, live appointment with a doctor is a thing of the past. More and more polyclinics are switching to the mode of electronic registration of patients with specialists. To make such a record yourself, you need to know:

Number of your doctor's office.
Last name, first name and patronymic of your local therapist.

Therefore, for many people, information on how to find a local doctor at an address in Moscow and in other regions is relevant. If this information is not available, it may be difficult to get medical care.

Methods

There are several ways to solve this issue. Each of them needs to be discussed in more detail.

Call

To do this, a person needs to take the following steps:

Find out the telephone number of the registry of the polyclinic to which he is assigned.
Call him.
When talking to a health worker, state your home address and the subject matter loudly and clearly. The employee will give the exact answer after a while.

The disadvantages of this method are:

Long wait for an answer. Sometimes people do not wait for him at all, since in many clinics the phone is always busy;
Opportunity to become a victim of rudeness of the registry staff.

On the website mos.ru

This method is interesting only for Muscovites. The site is a web page that contains information about the medical institutions of the city. Those wishing to know their local therapist should:

Enter the site.
Select your clinic from the list or enter its name in the search box.
On the page that opens, click on the "View timetable" column. After that, the data of all therapists with site numbers should open.
In the future, you can make an appointment online.

Through the EMIAS system

This database combines information about medical institutions throughout Russia. The algorithm of actions is approximately the same as described above - go to the site, select your clinic and see the schedule of all therapists with section numbers. In order to enter this system, you need to be registered on the website of the State Services.

Through Public Services by policy number

In order to get to know your GP in one of the ways listed above, you also need to know your clinic. But often there are problems with this. How to be in this situation?

The website of the State Services will help solve the problem. To do this, you need:

Register on the site and carry out the account verification procedure.
Enter the site and select the appropriate service.
In the field that appears, enter the number of your new medical policy. Old documents and temporary documents are not processed by the system.
Read the query results carefully. The system should provide information about which clinic the owner of this policy is attached to and about its address.

After that, efforts can be made to find your own GP.

The doctor on duty

Sometimes there are situations when a visit to the doctor should take place unscheduled. For example, a sore throat, but no temperature. In such a situation, it is unlikely that it will be possible to call doctors at home. Therefore, you will have to go to the duty therapist.

Reception by the doctor on duty is carried out regardless of attachment to a particular clinic. To do this, you just need to take your passport and medical insurance policy and contact the reception. Specialists will refer the patient to the doctor on duty.

House call

To call a medical specialist at home, you need to do the following:

Call the reception of the polyclinic to which the patient is assigned.
Clearly state the patient's last name, first name, patronymic, address and age.
Provide the number of the compulsory health insurance policy.
State the main symptoms of the disease.

Every adult needs to know information about their local polyclinic and their local therapist. This affects the time spent on seeking medical care and its quality.

954 therapists of Yekaterinburg, 2758 reviews

Therapist: the meaning of the specialty

Can medicine exist without therapists? Of course not. The very first people who tried to help sick people and only discovered the basics of medical science began to be called healers - from the word "treat". Subsequently, all terms related to medicine were translated into Latin. And the pioneering doctors also got their Latin name - "therapists". Thus, the therapist is one of the very first representatives of medicine.

As knowledge about the treatment of sick people, the origin and diagnosis of diseases accumulated, therapy did not lose its significance. New branches of medicine branched off from it, but this science remained and remains their fundamental basis. And the therapist was and remains a medical specialist well versed in all the pathologies of the human body.

What does a therapist treat?

The field of activity of the therapist covers all aspects of human health. He knows well the anatomy of the human body and its physiology, and also understands the essence of the pathological changes occurring in the internal organs, their causes and consequences. Therefore, it is the therapist who acts as the main assistant to a person in all matters related to the prevention and treatment of various diseases.

The internist's patients are people over eighteen years of age; at the same time, in our country, his work is based on the district principle - residents of a certain area turn to one doctor. Recently, however, the so-called family therapy has been gaining momentum - when one therapist observes members of the same family. This approach makes it possible to identify hereditary pathologies and carry out their prevention in young people.

The therapist is distinguished from other medical specialists by a deep knowledge of syndromic pathology: based on the totality of certain symptoms and objective examination data, he can conclude which body system is affected in this case, and conduct a diagnostic search in the right direction. He treats uncomplicated diseases on his own, and, if necessary, appoints consultations of narrow specialists for the patient.

A prominent place in the work of therapists is given to preventive measures aimed at reducing morbidity and reducing the number of complications. They include educational work, vaccination, preventive examinations and clinical examination of the population.

When do I need to consult a therapist?

The therapist is the person to contact for any health complaint. It is he who will assess the severity of the pathological process, conduct an initial examination and refer, if necessary, to a doctor of narrow specialization. The reasons for visiting this doctor are:

deviation from the normal limits of body temperature;
respiratory events;
unstable blood pressure;
shortness of breath;
abdominal pain;
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, flatulence;
stool disorders;
joint pain;
unnatural color of the skin and mucous membranes, rash;
lethargy, decreased performance, general weakness.

Only a complete examination and a well-designed treatment plan can eliminate the pathological process with the least damage to the body.

How to become a therapist?

Anyone who has decided to connect his professional activity with therapy, in Yekaterinburg, needs to enter the Ural State Medical University - the Faculty of General Medicine.

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