What are the differences between counseling, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy?
Historically, counseling referred to help with everyday problems and psychotherapy was used to describe treatment for mental illness. Today, these terms are used interchangeably. Lakeview Center’s therapists have degrees in psychology, psychiatry, social work, or counseling, but we all work with a wide range of problems using a similar approach. (See our approach to therapy). Pharmacotherapy is the use of medication to address emotional difficulties. Medication may only be prescribed by a psychiatrist. Typically, we recommend that medication be used in addition to, and not instead of, psychotherapy. You may see our nutritionist, Heather Reeves, or psychiatrist, Dr. Robert McCarthy, in addition to a therapist outside the center.
