Psychologists offer a wide range of evaluations and treatment options for those who struggle with mental health problems. Yes, we're there to make people better.” Psychologists provide psychotherapy, a treatment that in many cases is just as, if not more, effective than drug therapy. Cognitive and interpersonal psychotherapies, for example, are effective treatments for depression. Psychotherapy, as an alternative to pharmacotherapy, is particularly valuable for elderly patients to avoid overmedication or the side effects of various drugs and drug interactions.
Psychotherapy is effective alone or in combination with medication to treat a wide range of mental disorders, including anxiety disorders (such as panic, obsessive-compulsive and post-traumatic stress disorders), depression, substance or alcohol abuse, and many other disorders that can devastate a person's personal, family, social, and work life. While practicing clinical psychologists have a doctorate, either a doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in a field of psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree, they don't have a doctorate in medicine (MD or DO). The APA promotes psychologically healthy workplaces by rewarding best practices as part of the Psychologically Workplace Awards Program healthy.
