No, a therapist typically does not count as your physician in the traditional sense. A therapist is a mental health professional who provides counseling, psychotherapy, and support to address emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. They are not medical doctors, and their focus is primarily on mental and emotional well-being rather than physical health.
A physician, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who is trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of physical health conditions. Physicians can provide medical interventions, prescribe medication, and treat a wide range of physical health issues.
While therapists and physicians both play critical roles in overall health and well-being, they specialize in different areas:
A therapist focuses on mental health and emotional well-being, providing talk therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy to address various psychological and emotional challenges.
A physician focuses on physical health, diagnosing and treating medical conditions, and prescribing appropriate medications when necessary.
It's important to understand the distinction between the two, and in many cases, both mental health and physical health are interconnected. For instance, stress, anxiety, or depression can have an impact on physical health, and some medical conditions can influence mental and emotional well-being. In such cases, collaboration between mental health professionals (therapists) and medical doctors (physicians) can provide comprehensive care to address the overall health of an individual.