Mental health professionals can provide a variety of services to help individuals manage their mental health. From diagnosis and treatment to psychotherapy and psychological testing, these professionals can help evaluate and manage mental health conditions. But with so many types of mental health professionals, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Here is a list of the different types of mental health professionals and what they do. Psychologists have a doctorate (PSY, D or PhD) and are licensed in the state where they practice.
They can provide psychological testing, evaluations, treat emotional and behavioral problems and mental disorders, and provide psychotherapy. However, psychologists generally cannot prescribe medication, though this varies from state to state. Psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners have a master's degree (M, A. or M, S.) and are licensed in the state where they practice. They can evaluate and diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and provide psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are doctors with a doctorate in medicine (M, D.).
They are authorized as physicians to practice medicine by individual states. Psychiatrists perform medical and psychiatric evaluations, treat psychiatric disorders, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe and monitor medications. Clinical social workers have a bachelor's degree (B, A.) and are licensed in the state where they practice. In most states, social workers take an exam to obtain a license to practice social work (L, C, S, W.) or L, I, C, S, W. Social workers provide a variety of services including the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric illnesses, case management, hospital discharge planning, and psychotherapy. Clergy members are mental health professionals who have master's degrees in counseling or social work.
They can provide counseling services within an organization as well as evaluate and diagnose mental health conditions. Certified but unlicensed mental health professionals provide the same types of services as their licensed counterparts but do not practice independently and cannot accept insurance as an individual. When looking for a mental health professional that is right for you, consider scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor or contacting a local mental health advocacy organization. You can also contact Brightside Health (Online Psychiatry) if you're struggling with serious mental illness.
