FAQ

Q: Does a psychologist prescribe medication?

A: No. A psychologist engages in talk therapy. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in psychiatric medicine. While some psychiatrists engage in talk therapy as well as prescribing medication, their required training in talk therapy is not as extensive as a psychologist.

Q: Do you have to be “crazy” to go for therapy?

A: Not at all. Mental health is as critical as physical health, and asking for help is about the sanest thing you can do for yourself. In the last 20 years, more and more people have benefited from therapy, which helps provide the tools to approach life more constructively. It is not an indulgence, but a smart way to address some issues and approach them with clarity and a new perspective.

Q: Do clients lie down on the couch during therapy sessions?

A: The couch was used in early Freudian psychoanalysis. Therapists go out of their way to find a comfortable chair or sofa for a client to sit on during a session. They just want their clients to be in a comfortable environment.

Member:



Dr. Ann O'Malley, (703) 350-2928
200 Park Ave #304
Falls Church, VA 22046