If you have made the decision to get help from a mental health professional, the first issue you face is determining which type of professional to choose. The types of mental health professionals you may encounter when looking for help include:
- Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the study, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. After earning their medical degree, they complete a four-year residency. Because they’re medical doctors, psychiatrists can prescribe medications as part of mental health treatment. Psychiatrists vary in the amount of counseling (talk therapy) they perform.
- Psychologists: Psychologists usually have a doctorate degree. They undergo at least four years of training and education in research, human behavioral theories, and therapeutic techniques. They may also have a year or more of post-doctoral supervised training or practice. Psychologists provide therapy and counseling, administer psychological assessments, and perform research. Clinical psychologists work with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Counseling psychologists focus mainly on adjustment issues or life challenges, such as divorce.
- Clinical Social Workers: Clinical social workers are the largest group of professionally trained mental health care providers in the United States. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) have a master’s degree in social work (MSW) along with additional clinical training. An LCSW can provide a full range of mental health services, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. They draw on a variety of psychotherapeutic theories and tools to help individuals, couples, families, and groups deal with emotional problems, mental disorders, and substance abuse/chemical dependency.
- Counselors: Like social workers, counselors have a master’s degree, usually in counseling. State requirements to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) are varied but typically require one to three years of supervised experience and passage of an examination.
- Pastoral Counselors: A pastoral counselor is a member of the clergy who integrates religious concepts with training in behavioral science. Licensing is not required, but counselors can seek certification with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
We listed psychiatrists and psychologists first because they have the most advanced training. If your symptoms are severe, someone in one of those fields is likely to be your best first choice. If your condition could benefit from medication, you may want to consider a psychiatrist who specializes in both medical treatment and psychotherapy. You may choose to work with two professionals: one who focuses on psychotherapy and a psychiatrist or your medical doctor for any medication that may be required.
The provisions of your insurance coverage may dictate the type of therapist you choose. If you are using insurance to pay for your treatment, you will need to contact the carrier and determine what types of therapists are covered and how many visits are allowed. Fees for psychiatrists are generally the highest, so visits to them may be limited.
Finding a therapist who is right for you can be difficult, especially since you aren’t at your best—or you wouldn’t be looking for help. Each of the professions listed above have websites where you can find listings of therapists in your area. Consider getting help from your doctor, family, or friends. Because the therapist relationship is such a personal one, you really need to find someone you are comfortable with. This will probably require talking to two, three, or more therapists over the phone and then choosing one or two to visit in person. If insurance coverage is a major factor, you will want to consider if the referrals accept the type of insurance you have.
Be aware that while you may have chosen someone you felt you could relate well to, the first few visits may be upsetting or disappointing. This is not unusual. More than one session may be needed to build a sense of trust between you and the therapist. If you still feel uncomfortable after a number of sessions, talk to the therapist about your concerns and be willing to make a change if those concerns are not resolved.
