What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist? It’s a common question and sometimes a cause for confusion among patients. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Hosseini is a trained physician. A physician’s training includes four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a B.S. or B.A. After completing undergraduate studies, some individuals also obtain a master’s degree, which can take one or two years. This is followed by four years of medical school, two years of which consist of coursework and two years of clinical work. During medical school, students spend two years rotating through different specialties and sub-specialties, learning clinical skills, diagnostic skills, and gaining knowledge about the various medical systems in their country of training. Finally, physicians enter a residency program, which typically lasts between three to five years, depending on their specialty.
Adult psychiatrists complete four years of residency. Psychiatry residency is unique in that psychiatrists also receive training in psychotherapy alongside their medical training. During these four years, psychiatry residents complete rotations in hospital medicine, outpatient clinics, and also receive specialized training in inpatient, emergency, and outpatient psychiatry. In addition, they see patients for individual therapy under supervision. Once they graduate and begin practicing independently, psychiatrists are highly trained and skilled in evaluating a broad range of psychiatric diagnoses and prescribing psychiatric medications. They are also trained in providing psychotherapy, or "talk therapy." Psychiatrists may use these skills when evaluating patients, prescribing medications, and providing care. Some may also choose to see patients for weekly individual therapy.
Medications are one of the tools a psychiatrist can recommend to help treat a variety of diagnoses and symptoms. They often work best when combined with other treatments, including therapy and lifestyle modifications. Dr. Hosseini discusses with each patient the rationale for different medications, as well as common side effects. She also talks about various behavioral techniques, such as behavioral activation, mindfulness exercises, and lifestyle modifications, that can help make medications more effective. Sometimes, it may be difficult to initiate lifestyle or behavioral changes—or even therapy—until certain symptoms are alleviated. Dr. Hosseini works with patients to create a personalized treatment plan.
Therapy is another tool psychiatrists have to help patients find contentment and experience improvement in their quality of life. There are many different types of therapy available. Dr. Hosseini was trained in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral therapy. She is currently a pre-candidate in the Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program at the Emory Psychoanalytic Program. This means she is undergoing rigorous, ongoing training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, which draws on psychoanalytic theories and practices.
CBT is based on the theory that our thoughts influence our emotions, which, in turn, influence our behaviors. The goal of CBT is to identify and challenge negative or distorted thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more balanced thoughts. This can lead to changes in both emotions and behaviors. CBT practitioners employ a variety of techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, thought records, and behavioral experiments, to help patients recognize and alter patterns of unhelpful thoughts. By addressing these patterns, patients can learn to respond more adaptively to difficult situations and gradually change maladaptive behaviors.
DBT is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy developed by Marsha Linehan. While it was specifically designed for individuals with emotional dysregulation, particularly those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), it has been effective for a wider range of experiences, including anxiety. It integrates principles of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The focus of DBT is to help individuals build skills in these areas to manage intense emotions and improve relationships. Dr. Hosseini may incorporate mindfulness techniques into sessions, depending on the person’s needs, and might also introduce DBT concepts such as the "wise mind". If someone would benefit from more structured DBT skills work, she may refer them to a DBT group or an individual DBT therapist for more intensive training in these areas.
There are many other modes of therapy including Radical DBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure therapy, EMDR and many others. During the initial evaluation, Dr. Hosseini will make a recommendation of the type of therapy for an individual based on their symptoms, needs and prior experiences with therapy. If both the individual and Dr. Hosseini feel like her style of therapy could be a good fit, she may offer that as an option.
Dr. Hosseini uses the Whole Self model, which focuses on a holistic approach to wellness, addressing various aspects of a person’s life.
| Sleep: | Sleep hygiene is the cornerstone of good sleep. Dr. Hosseini will review sleep hygiene during some appointments, particularly if sleep is an issue. She may also recommend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), as it has the strongest evidence for treating insomnia. |
|---|---|
| Nutrition: | Food as medicine. There is substantial evidence supporting the idea that what we eat affects inflammation, which in turn impacts our mood and overall functioning. Dr. Hosseini discusses nutrition with individuals and may make personalized recommendations based on their needs and openness to adjusting their diet. She is a strong advocate for adding beneficial foods rather than focusing on eliminating foods. Through small, gradual changes to our environment, we can create bigger and longer-lasting changes in our lifestyles. |
| Exercise: | Any movement that feels good can be exercise. Dr. Hosseini helps people find movements they enjoy, which are easy to access, affordable, and maintainable. From dancing to music to finding free workout videos online or doing stretches at the desk, there are many ways to increase movement throughout the day. |
| Intimacy: | Feeling connected to others is a crucial aspect of mental health. Dr. Hosseini works with individuals on ways to build and maintain meaningful relationships. These connections can take many forms, and Dr. Hosseini enjoys helping people find the most fulfilling ways to nurture them. |
There are many other aspects of self-care and lifestyle that are important. Dr. Hosseini tailors her approach to address what matters most to each individual, as each person has their own unique needs.