Health & Wellness Good psychologist in Dgte?

Depends on what the problem is...as a rule of thumb most mild-moderate mental health problems benefit from both approaches. Most GPs should have some mental health training. For example, GPs in the UK have to complete at least six months in a mental health team whilst training, and yes I know this is the Phils....

GPs here should be versed in some simple, but modern prescribing for the spectrum of common anxiety-depression difficulties - simple specific phobias, OCD, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia, single index event Traumas, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, unipolar depression and so forth. Meds are 1/2 the battle, good therapy is hard to find, especially in the Phils. For the more common problems reference back to an evidence base is the best start. In the UK, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence provides specific guidance to National Health Service therapists and Doctors about what to do when meeting a particular problem, either common or severe, based on the evidence. The great and the learned come together to review the evidence and then come up with guidelines - broadly speaking. Google NICE UK...and click away.

In terms of common mental health problems Cognitive Behavioual Therapy (CBT) is usually the first order, recommended therapy in the UK. Thus in combination; CBT + an SSRI prescribed by a GP is most efficacious - as I say though, that's a rule of thumb and it might not fit every difficulty or situation. Finding an Accredited, properly trained Psychiatrist and CBT therapist in the Phils however would be like finding rocking horse poo. Unless I am at home....

For the more severe types of difficulty it gets more complex. GPs are generalists, not specialists and so a Psychiatrist would be more helpful. They have the know how about Pharma combination therapies, are able to monitor depot treatments and usually are part of a highly specialised team comprising the gamut of Nurses, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers etc....again this is the Phils so little hope there. In the UK they also (usually) follow NICE Guidance...which would include talking therapies. So accessing a psychiatrist usually accesses a team - which fits the remit for the severe and often enduring mental health problem.

I lectured to the Psychiatric Nursing Department at Silliman a couple of years back - attending were Psychiatrists, a couple of Psychologists - but mostly Nurses. Stretched, woefully under resourced and thirsty for the skills and techniques. Not the most cohesive or comprehensive team in the world - but good people doing their best in near impossible circumstances. I digress.

I guess what I am saying is that depending on the problem, you might consider both Pharma and talking therapy as helpful resources...given that we live in the Phils, resources are not easy to find and generally speaking clinical governance is not as hot as it would be in the West. I'd advise scrutiny of any therapists or psychiatrist's/psychologists's qualifications, when and where they were trained and how much Continious Professional Development (CPD) they undertake per annum. Ask where they get their supervision from and find out which specific modality they have been trained in. Does it fit the problem you are seeking help for? You wouldn't take any chances with your heart or your liver when seeking treatment, your brain is just as important.

Cheers,

C