What does a therapy specialist do?

A therapy specialist, also known as a therapeutic specialist or therapist, is a professional trained to provide specialized therapeutic interventions to individuals, groups, or communities to address physical, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral issues. Therapy specialists work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Here are some common types of therapy specialists and their roles: Physical Therapist (PT): Assess and treat individuals with musculoskeletal, neurological, or other physical impairments. Develop personalized treatment plans to improve mobility, strength, flexibility, and overall physical function.

There is no such thing as a therapy specialist. Therapists may specialise in one or more psychological treatment modalities.

A therapist is someone who uses psychological processes, theories and principles to provide life-support systems to persons who suffer from psychological insults.Their interventions usually center on helping clients cope with mental, social and personal situations.

In regard to Therapy/Counselling, I believe the ultimate goal is self empowerment for the participant and it’s the role of the Therapist to help guide the participant to get there, so that they can help eventually fight whatever challenges that they are facing themselves. It is part of the Therapists responsibility to provide the “tools” to the individual so that they can achieve that. These “tools” come in the form of different evidence based modalities that the therapist can use to assist the participant explore pathways to help them solve the issue. As a therapist myself, People think that I am an expert in regard to Psychology/Counselling, but I always deny it because you are not the expert of someone else’s life…only they are.

Qualifications for therapist really requires both academic and experential or skillset that involves training. There is an increase need for therapists to also have technological and computer skills to be able to use tools and sources that are inclined on technology.

In Therapy, a lot of people look to see what “bit of paper” you have from uni, but in my opinion, it’s not as important as most people make it out to be. Working with the brain you do need a certain amount of theory, of course! But it’s also the approach and practical application of that theory where most academics fail because they don’t know how to apply their textbook knowledge into real world scenarios. This is where the skills of having Lived Experience of poor mental health can really shine - especially when combined with evidence based counselling modalities because the therapist can connect with a client in a way that only a person with lived experience skills can! You can’t learn that at uni!

The modern mechanisms for successful therapeutic processes make use of technologies involving complex software and algorithms. This present great challenges to person who are not computer inclined or savvy. Albeit their possession of great skills and experiences their inability to use these tools makes them less productive and impactful. The additional layer added to modern methodologies also present the tech challenge to the field.

I think like everything, Balance is key here. Working as a therapist can be a difficult area to work in, especially when working with complex cases, or situations. Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue are two things that you need to be constantly aware of and manage. The benefits of the job though are awesome. One aspect involves involve empowering other people. You get to walk along side them on their journey of recovery and see them improve their own life using the therapeutic “tools” that you have provided to them. In the nicest possible way, I always say to my clients after Counselling concludes that I never want to see them again!! I always get a giggle in return 🙂

I have been a Counsellor for a few years now. I am not an academic, so don’t have the best qualification, but I do have what is required to practice as a Counsellor. I am more of a practical individual, and have never been the best in the classroom. To gain experience, I initially opened my own Private Practice, which is still running well. I now also work for a Mental Health NGO delivering Psychosocial support to individuals. What is great is how I am able to balance this work with my private practice work to supplement my income. It’s always tricky to start off in the therapeutic industry, especially when they worship your “bit of paper” from uni, but you can still have a highly rewarding and valuing career if you don’t have that.

A solid way to start is to wok with NGOs which are into your target persons- widows, deprived communities, orphans, prisoners etc. Making a start this way makes you known and heard by the NGO propagation messages and through their associates and connections.

Continuous learning and self improvement as a therapist is something that is important, but you need to carefully manage this as it could become overwhelming. If you try to become an “expert”, and try to learn everything, you do risk burning out. This is why specialising in certain areas is good, because it also focuses your learning and development. I always remind myself of why I wanted to become a Counsellor….to help people. If I wanted to be an academic, I would have continued on in uni….studying was not the reason why I became a Counsellor! Be selective on what you learn to manage that workload, but don’t swamp yourself in it. Just keep your therapeutic modalities up to date, and relevant for safe practice.

Being "successful" is a very controversial issue. Professional Therapy can be difficult to assess regarding success for patients or therapists. What is successful? To help a patient to gain a profound knowledge and self awareness even though it can be hurtful? Or to give compliments or personal opinions of what patients should do to be engaged in a "normal" way of life according to what others or the society expect? Therapy is about knowing yourself and the bravery to change. Unfortunately Therapy has become a trendy topic since the pandemic and a lot of pseudo clinicians or coaches are practicing it.

One other indicator of success is discipline. The field of therapy presents so many challenges and temptations because of the different social, mental situations one is made to handle. But with professional conduct which requires great deal of discipline - sticking to the rules, being stoic albeit flexible would make one succeed.