Therapy is getting more common the less stigmatized mental health becomes. People go through mental health struggles at several points throughout their lifetimes. Depression is, unfortunately, incredibly common and often requiresprofessional help to overcome. For this reason, therapy has become as much a part of people’s routine as going to the gym or the grocery store. If you have never experienced therapy for yourself, you might be wondering, what exactly is a therapist? What does the title really mean?

A therapist is someone who works with his or her patients in order to help them overcome a variety of health issues. People who struggle with eating disorders, addiction, anger issues, and relationship problems engage in therapy as much as people with mental health problems. ‘Therapy’ itself is a broad term referring to the different methods for helping people solve life’s problems.

Most therapists practice talk therapy. This is when patients talk about what is going on in their lives while the therapist listens and offers suggestions for making positive changes. Sometimes people need to realize something about their selves or current situations and can start healing on their own. There are many different types of therapy. Some therapists practice psychoanalytical therapy while others specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy. It is crucial to understand that all therapists are licensed professionals.