Therapists vs Psychiatrists – What’s the Difference?
Navigating mental health care can be confusing. To find the right professional for your needs, it’s essential to understand the distinct roles and qualifications of therapists and psychiatrists.
| Aspect | Therapist | Psychiatrist |
| Qualifications | Master’s in Psychology or related fields | MBBS + MD in Psychiatry |
| Scope | Talk therapy, behavioural interventions | Medical diagnosis and treatment |
| Diagnosis | Limited or collaborative with clinical teams | Full authority to diagnose mental health disorders |
| Therapy Techniques | CBT, DBT, mindfulness, talk therapy | May recommend therapy, but focus on medication |
| Referrals | Refers to a psychiatrist if medication is needed | May refer to therapists for psychotherapy |
| Licensing | Licensed counsellors, clinical psychologists | Licensed medical doctors (psychiatrists) |
What Does a Therapist for Mental Health Do?
Mental health therapists are essential guides on the path to well-being. They provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore challenges and develop coping strategies. Let’s take a closer look at the ways a therapist can help you.
Assessment and Understanding
Therapists begin by conducting a detailed assessment of emotional, behavioural, and psychological challenges to identify underlying patterns and causes. This understanding becomes the foundation for building a personalised treatment plan.
Building a Therapeutic Relationship
A trusting and non-judgmental relationship is essential in therapy. Therapists create a safe space where clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, fears, and vulnerabilities without hesitation.
Setting Personalised Goals
Every therapy journey is unique. Therapists work with clients to define clear, achievable goals, both short- and long-term, that align with the client’s mental health needs and personal aspirations.
Applying Evidence-Based Techniques
Using proven approaches such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, or exposure therapy, therapists help individuals build healthier thought patterns and coping strategies tailored to their challenges.
Tracking Progress and Adapting Methods
Therapists regularly evaluate progress through feedback, behavioural changes, or clinical tools. Based on what’s working, they adjust methods to ensure therapy remains effective and relevant.
Collaborating with a Multi-Disciplinary Team
At Cadabam’s, therapists partner with psychiatrists in bangalore, occupational therapists, social workers, and other specialists to offer coordinated and comprehensive care.
When should I see a therapist?
If you’re unsure whether therapy is needed, consider seeking help when you notice any of the following:
- Ongoing sadness, anxiety, trauma
- Relationship or parenting struggles
- Life transitions, loss, or burnout
Benefits of Mental Health Therapy at Cadabam’s
Cadabam’s has set a benchmark in mental healthcare through a multi-disciplinary, person-centric therapy approach. Our team ensures clients receive care tailored to their unique emotional, behavioural, and psychological profiles, backed by years of clinical excellence and innovation.
Customised Care Based on Individual Needs
Each person’s mental health journey is unique, and therapy should reflect that. At Cadabam’s, therapists tailor their approach to suit your personal history, challenges, strengths, and goals. This individualised care ensures that every session is relevant, practical, and aligned with your evolving mental and emotional needs.
Safe, Confidential & Empathetic Environment
Therapy works best when you feel seen, safe, and supported. Cadabam’s creates a space where you can speak openly without fear of judgement. Confidentiality is strictly maintained, and empathy is at the core of every interaction, helping you feel validated and respected throughout your healing process.
Access to Multidisciplinary Team
Mental health care often requires collaboration. At Cadabam’s, therapists work with a network of psychiatrists, psychologists in bangalore, special educators, counsellors in bangalore, and occupational therapists. This integrated approach ensures that all aspects of your wellbeing, emotional, behavioural, and developmental, are addressed comprehensively and cohesively under one coordinated care plan.
Outcome-Focused, Evidence-Based Practice
At Cadabam’s, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Our therapists use clinical tools and research-driven techniques tailored to your goals. Progress is tracked at regular intervals, and interventions are adjusted to maximise long-term recovery, emotional stability, and functional improvement, ensuring your therapy delivers real, measurable results.
Cadabam’s Hospitals is home to experienced therapists in Bangalore and therapists in Hyderabad, providing personalized care for various mental health conditions.
Treatments Offered by Therapists at Cadabam’s Hospitals
At Cadabam’s Hospitals, our therapists utilise a wide range of scientifically validated treatments to address diverse mental health concerns. Each therapy is selected based on individual assessment, ensuring that care is tailored, goal-oriented, and impactful.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used, goal-focused therapy that helps individuals identify and change distorted thought patterns that lead to negative emotions or behaviours. It teaches practical coping strategies to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and other mood-related concerns, leading to improved emotional regulation and decision-making.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT combines elements of CBT with mindfulness and distress tolerance techniques. It is particularly effective for individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or borderline personality disorder. DBT focuses on acceptance and change, teaching clients how to manage intense emotions in healthier, more balanced ways.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Rooted in Freudian psychology, psychodynamic therapy explores unconscious patterns and past experiences that influence current behaviour. It allows individuals to gain deep insights into their emotional world, helping resolve internal conflicts and improve self-awareness, often leading to long-term emotional healing and personal growth.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT is a short-term therapy that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and communication. It is especially beneficial for individuals dealing with depression, grief, or social anxiety. By addressing relational patterns, clients learn to build healthier connections and enhance their emotional support systems.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT encourages clients to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than resisting them, while committing to actions aligned with their values. This therapy helps individuals break free from avoidance patterns, improve psychological flexibility, and live more authentically despite challenges or mental health symptoms.
Family Therapy
Family therapy addresses dynamics within the family unit that contribute to stress, conflict, or dysfunction. It involves working with all or selected members of the family to improve communication, resolve issues, and strengthen relationships, especially useful in cases involving children, addiction, or chronic illness.
Group Therapy
Group therapy creates a supportive environment where individuals can connect with others facing similar challenges. Facilitated by a therapist, these sessions offer shared experiences, peer insights, and collective healing, especially effective for depression, anxiety, addiction recovery, and social skill development.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy empowers individuals to separate themselves from their problems and re-author their personal story. By examining how stories are shaped by experiences, trauma, or societal expectations, clients gain new perspectives and reclaim control over their identity, behaviours, and emotional wellbeing.
Holistic and Integrative Therapies
Cadabam’s also incorporates holistic therapies such as art therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, yoga, and expressive therapies. These integrative approaches complement conventional therapy, engaging mind and body to promote emotional balance, self-expression, and overall wellness in a more natural, inclusive manner.
What to Expect in Sessions with a Therapist
Understanding what therapy involves helps reduce anxiety about starting the process. Cadabam’s ensures every session is structured to provide comfort, clarity, and growth—starting with assessment and moving towards tangible progress.
First Session: Assessment & Rapport
The initial session focuses on building trust while understanding the individual’s concerns, personal history, emotional triggers, and behavioural patterns. This session forms the foundation for a safe therapeutic alliance and allows the therapist to tailor the approach effectively.
Therapy Plan & Goals
Based on the assessment, therapists develop a structured therapy plan with specific goals. These goals may include reducing symptoms, improving relationships, or enhancing self-regulation. Setting clear expectations helps clients stay engaged and motivated throughout the process.
Techniques Used
Therapists apply evidence-based techniques that best suit the individual’s needs and diagnosis. These could range from cognitive restructuring and relaxation exercises to role-playing and guided self-reflection, always adapted based on what resonates with the client.
Review & Progress
Regular progress reviews are a part of the therapeutic journey. The therapist evaluates emotional improvements, behavioural shifts, and therapy outcomes. Adjustments are made when necessary to ensure the approach remains responsive and results-driven.
Finding the Right Therapist for Mental Health Near You
Choosing the right therapist is essential to getting the most from therapy. At Cadabam’s, we help you match with professionals who align with your mental health goals, preferences, and convenience.
Credentials & Specialisation to Look For
Ensure the therapist is licensed and trained in relevant modalities such as CBT, DBT, or trauma-focused therapy. Check if they have experience dealing with specific conditions like anxiety, OCD, or relationship issues to ensure expert care.
Age Group Expertise
Therapists often specialise in working with specific age groups, children, adolescents, adults, or seniors. It’s important to find someone who understands the developmental and emotional nuances of your age or your loved one’s age.
Session Flexibility (online, in-person)
Look for options that match your schedule and comfort. Cadabam’s offers in-person therapy at our centres and secure online sessions for remote access, ensuring continuity and flexibility in your therapeutic journey.
Location & Accessibility – therapist near me
Easy access to therapy plays a key role in staying consistent with sessions and building momentum in the healing process. Factors like distance, commute time, and session mode can influence how regularly a person attends therapy.
That’s why Cadabam’s offers both in-person and online sessions, making it easier to access qualified therapists in hyderabad and bangalore without added logistical stress.
Why Choose Therapists at Cadabam’s Hospitals
For over three decades, Cadabam’s has been a pioneer in mental healthcare, delivering world-class therapy integrated with psychiatry and psychology. We serve individuals across all age groups, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, offering targeted therapy based on unique needs.
Our therapists in bangalore work as part of multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that every client receives comprehensive support that goes beyond just symptom management.
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, navigating grief, or managing complex mental health disorders, our therapists are here to support you with empathy, expertise, and results-driven care.
Ready to prioritise your mental wellbeing?
At Cadabam’s, we offer easy appointment scheduling with licensed therapists, online or in-person. Call us now or visit our website to book your session and get started on a journey of healing and transformation.
FAQ
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps individuals manage emotional, behavioural, and psychological issues through structured conversations, evidence-based techniques, and goal-setting. They provide support, guidance, and tools to improve mental wellbeing, relationships, and coping skills in a safe, confidential space.
How is a therapist different from a psychologist?
A therapist offers counselling or psychotherapy, while a psychologist can also conduct assessments and make clinical diagnoses. Both provide talk therapy, but psychologists typically have more advanced training in psychological testing and research alongside therapeutic interventions.
When should I see a therapist?
Consider therapy if you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, persistently low, facing relationship challenges, or struggling with life transitions. Early support can prevent issues from escalating and help build resilience and clarity before symptoms significantly impact daily life.
What types of therapy are offered at Cadabam’s?
Cadabam’s offers CBT, DBT, ACT, IPT, psychodynamic therapy, family therapy, group therapy, narrative therapy, and holistic approaches like mindfulness and art therapy, each tailored to suit specific mental health needs and age groups.
Can I get therapy online?
Yes. Cadabam’s provides secure, confidential online therapy for those who prefer flexibility or cannot access in-person sessions. Online therapy ensures continuity of care and easy access to qualified professionals from the comfort of your space.
What questions should I ask my therapist?
You can ask about their approach, specialisation, confidentiality policy, therapy duration, session frequency, and how progress is tracked. Understanding the process helps build trust, clarify expectations, and create a collaborative, transparent therapeutic relationship from the start.
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