Putting the pieces together

Sometimes finding the right provider is more than the qualifications they have. It can be a matter of finding someone who you feel comfortable with.

Finding the Right Provider

There are many types of mental health providers with different skills and qualifications. Below you can find information on finding the right mental health professional for you.

What kinds of mental health providers are there?

Psychology providers

Psychology providers study the mind and behavior. Psychology involves delivering longer, more regular therapy services as well as specific types of specialized therapy for certain conditions.

(Specialized therapy)

Psychiatry Providers

Psychiatry providers approach mental health from a medical perspective. Psychiatry involves treatment of mental health conditions with medication and non medication options.

(Medications)

(Some Therapy)

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (And DO doctors) who specialize in mental health treatment with medications and non medication options.

Psychatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Mental health nurse practitioners are nurses with graduate education and advanced training who specialize in mental health treatment with medications and non medication options.

Physician Assistants

Physicians assistants are providers with graduate education and advanced training who provide general, and mental health treatment with medications and non medication options.

Psychiatry

Psychologist

Psychologists are PhD educated providers who specialize in mental health assessmant, diagnosis, and treatment using non medication options like therapy. Psychologists also play a large role in much of the research that is done in the mental health field.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSWs are specialists with graduate level education and specialized training to assess, diagnose, and treat using non medication options like therapy. Social workers also can have jobs involving connecting patients with resources in the community.

Therapists

There are several other types of therapists with a range of qualifications/educational experience. Some of these include licenced professional counselers, marrige and family therapists, and sometimes chaplains and religious leaders. These types of therapists provide non medication treatments.

Psychology

How do I get started?

Mental health treatment usually starts with your primary care provider. If you feel you would like some help with mental heath, a good starting point is talking with your doctor to decide the next steps that are right for you.

What if I need therapy?

We feel everyone shoud consider therapy. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral from your primary care doctor to have the therapy paid for by insurance. Otherwise, you can usually "self refer" if you are paying out of pocket.