Is there a Difference between mental Health Providers -Written by guest author Shama Joshi
Is there a difference between mental health providers?
By: Shama Joshi
When we are looking for a mental health provider, it can be a tiring and often a difficult time. You get onto google and spend countless hours trying to figure out if you should speak to a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or something else? The first thing may be to figure out what type of services you may be looking for. Medication? Someone to talk to? If you are unsure, many behavioral health hospitals provide free level of care assessments and will give resources based on your needs and who is in-network based on your insurance provider.
Psychiatrist:
Doctorate in Medicine and specializes in mental health
Prescribes medication while assessing, diagnosing and treating mental health disorders
May collaborate with nurse practitioner who will prescribe medication while assessing, diagnosing and treating mental health disorders
Psychologist:
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Specializes in clinically evaluating a person’s mental health and cognitive levels
Clinical psychologists provide psychological counseling in a one to one or group setting through various forms of therapy
Cannot prescribe mediation
Social Worker:
Must have Master’s Degree in Social Work (varies in specialties)
Provides resources and case management along with providing a mental health assessment, preliminary diagnosis, and one on one or group counseling
License clinical social workers can sit for their clinical license once they have received 3000 hours of supervision from another clinical social worker
Cannot prescribe medication
Counselor:
Must have Master’s Degree in Counseling, usually in mental health
Provides preliminary diagnosis through one on one or group counseling
License clinical professional counselors can sit for their clinical license once they have received 3000 hours of supervision from another clinical social worker and/or clinical counselor
Cannot prescribe medication
More information can be found at: https://www.nami.org/learn-more/treatment/types-of-mental-health-professionals
After reviewing the information regarding your options on mental health providers, finding the best professional may take time and effort. Just remember it’s always good to do your research because this is your wellbeing, we are entrusting someone else with after all!
Other credentials to be aware of:
LMFT= Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
CADC= Clinical Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor
PCP= Primary Care Physician
ATR= Registered Art Therapist