Mental health is an important part of overall wellbeing, and seeking help from a professional can be a great way to improve your mental health. But with so many different types of mental health professionals available, it can be difficult to know who to turn to. This article will provide an overview of the different types of mental health professionals and the services they provide, so you can make an informed decision about who to see for your mental health needs. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. After graduating from medical school with an MD (or DO) degree, future psychiatrists typically specialize in psychiatry with a 4-year residency.
Psychiatrists are licensed as physicians to practice medicine by individual states. They can perform medical and psychiatric evaluations, treat psychiatric disorders, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe and monitor medications. Psychologists have degrees in psychology and are experts in human behavior. Most states license psychologists to practice psychology. They can provide psychological testing, evaluations, treat emotional and behavioral problems and mental disorders, and provide psychotherapy. Psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners are nurses who have completed advanced training in mental health care.
Thanks to this training, they can analyze the biological reasons for mental health problems and psychological factors. They can order tests to help rule out other medical problems and recommend treatment, if needed.Social workers have a bachelor's degree (B. A.) or master's degree (M. A.) in social work (L.
C. S. W.). In most states, social workers undergo an exam to obtain a license to practice social work (L.
Social workers provide a variety of services, including the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric illnesses, case management, hospital discharge planning, and psychotherapy. Counselors have a very varied duration of training, from one year of intensive training to a few months by correspondence. Counselors address diverse topics that are as broad and varied as those addressed by psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists. If the counselor finds that counseling does not meet the person's needs because the underlying condition is serious and may need other interventions, he or she will refer the person to a more qualified mental health expert for diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medication. Psychiatric social workers are mental health professionals trained to help patients find solutions to the many social and life problems that come with mental illness. A patient's relationships, career, and quality of life are significantly affected by the illness, and this can be a very difficult situation to deal with.
Social workers help patients deal with these aspects of their lives. Psychiatric nurses are mental health professionals qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat people with psychiatric disorders. They work with individuals, families, groups and communities and assess their mental health needs. They also help families understand the challenges of mental illness and help them provide the appropriate care that their loved one needs. Psychologists apply psychological knowledge to understand and solve problems in different spheres of human activity, and are also used in the evaluation and treatment of mental health problems. They are also the only type of mental health professional who is licensed to prescribe and control medications. If you're considering seeking help for your mental health needs, it's important to understand the differences between these types of professionals so you can make an informed decision about who is best suited for your particular situation.
Consider scheduling an appointment with your family doctor or contacting a local mental health advocacy organization for more information about finding a qualified professional.
