Despite living in the 21st century, psychologists are still clouded in an aura of taboo since they are most of the time associated with mental illnesses which many people find difficult to accept. However, their work is so much more extensive since their practice also enables them to diagnose and treat emotional disorders. The work of psychologists revolves around the psychological state of the mind which in turn determines our behaviour.

What does their work entail? Psychologists first conduct a psychological assessment to determine the kind of therapy the individual needs. Personality assessments will reflect how a person reacts and deals with distress so it will provide the psychologist with a foundation on what to base the diagnosis. The treatment they use is psychotherapy, which essentially means dealing with psychological issues or any emotional traumas through dialogue and other types of communication.

The main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that psychiatrists can treat their patients with medications since they're technically medical doctors, while psychologists use cognitive behavioural therapy and any other psychotherapeutic techniques to help individuals overcome their respective disorders through talk. Which therapy is used depends on the individual's personality and his psychological state of mind. They focus on building a relationship with their clients to assess and treat accordingly.

The healing process differs from one person to another. A child, for instance, may find it challenging to communicate verbally so he may be encouraged to use imagery to facilitate understanding. Psychotherapy is not a one-time treatment but a whole process which may take weeks, or even months and years since it requires a whole mind shift. Sessions would normally take place on a weekly basis, but intervals between one session and the next would be longer, especially in the last stages of the process.

Where would you find a psychologist? He may choose to work in different environments: he may either sit in a private clinic or general hospital, work in a pharmacy or own his personal private practice. Here are the main services psychologists offer:

Mental therapy

Psychologists specialise in various sectors of the human mind: they can deal with cases of depression and anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, stress, addictions, eating disorders, social anxiety, traumatic disorders and can also help with anger management.

Family Therapy

These practitioners do not just deal with individual mental health but also the mental dynamics between a couple or between parents and children. A family may choose to attend sessions together and also on an individual basis. Child psychologists help children who are going through an ordeal, such as abuse or parental separation.

Personal Development

This is also an integral part of a psychologist's job. He will guide you on how to achieve your personal goals and ambitions, develop your life and social skills, make use of your talents and work on your weaknesses, to grow into a responsible adult who can make good decisions in life.

All the issues mentioned above need to be tackled from the root, i.e. from the human mind. So do it right, whether you're an adult, a teenager or a child, overcome the taboo and contact one of the psychologists around Malta and Gozo if you think you're suffering from a mental or emotional disorder. Talking about it is the first step forward and a clinical psychologist will guide you in boosting your mental health. Just as you give importance to your physical wellbeing, your mental wellbeing shouldn't be given the cold shoulder. A psychologist is qualified to treat any psychological affliction you have in a personalised and effective manner.

Online counselling will help in urgent matters, but face to face communication enables you to build a more personal relationship with the psychologist and by time you'll feel more comfortable to open up about any issue that is troubling your mind. Rest assured, anything you share will remain confidential between the practitioner and yourself. Have a look at these tips on how to boost your mental wellbeing.