Mental health services are
provided by several different professions, each of which has
its own training and areas of expertise. Finding the right
professional(s) for you or a loved one can be a critical
ingredient in the process of diagnosis, treatment, and
recovery when faced with serious mental illness.
Psychiatrist
- a psychiatrist is a physician with a doctor of medicine
(M.D.) degree or osteopathic (D.O.) degree, with at least
four more years of specialized study and training in
psychiatry. Psychiatrists are licensed as physicians to
practice medicine by individual states. "Board certified"
psychiatrists have passed the national examination
administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology. Psychiatrists provide medical and psychiatric
evaluations, treat psychiatric disorders, provide
psychotherapy, and prescribe and monitor medications.
Psychologist - some
psychologists have a master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) in
psychology while others have a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D.,
or Ed.D.) in clinical, educational, counseling, or research
psychology. Most states license psychologists to practice
psychology. They can provide psychological testing,
evaluations, treat emotional and behavioral problems and
mental disorders, and provide psychotherapy.
Social Worker - Social
workers have either a bachelor's degree (B.A., B.S., or
B.S.W.), a master's degree (M.A., M.S., M.S.W., or M.S.S.W.),
or doctoral degree (D.S.W. or Ph.D.). In most states, social
workers take an examination to be licensed to practice
social work (L.C.S.W. or L.I.C.S.W.), and the type of
license depends on their level of education and practice
experience. Social workers provide various services
including assessment and treatment of psychiatric illnesses,
case management, hospital discharge planning, and
psychotherapy.
Psychiatric/Mental Health
Nurse -
Psychiatric/mental health nurses may have various degrees
ranging from associate's to bachelor's (B.S.N.) to master's
(M.S.N. or A.R.N.P.) to doctoral (D.N.Sc., Ph.D.). Depending
on their level of education and licensing, they provide a
broad range of psychiatric and medical services, including
the assessment and treatment of psychiatric illnesses, case
management, and psychotherapy. In some states, some
psychiatric nurses may prescribe and monitor medication.
Licensed Professional Counselors
- Licensed Professional Counselors have a master's degree
(M.A.) in psychology, counseling or a similar discipline and
typically have two years of post-graduate experience. They
may provide services that include diagnosis and counseling
(individual, family/group or both). They have a license
issued in their state and may be certified by the National
Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
floridasdc4@cfijax.org
