How Can Mental Health Professionals Help You Achieve Your Recovery Goals?
Different types of mental health professionals can help you achieve your recovery goals. These professionals may work in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, community mental health clinics, schools, or private practices.
Mental health professionals’ job titles and specialties vary by state. However, understanding their training and areas of expertise makes it easier to determine which type of professional is right for you.
Use the following information to find out how mental health professionals can help you achieve your recovery goals.
Social Workers
A social worker has a bachelor’s degree. They provide case management, inpatient discharge planning services, placement services, and other services to support a healthy lifestyle.
Psychologists
A psychologist has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, counseling, education, or another specialty and is licensed by the state. They may be trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or other types of behavioral therapy.
A psychologist uses clinical interviews, psychological evaluations, and testing to evaluate a person’s mental health. They can diagnose individuals and conduct individual and group therapy.
Counselors, Clinicians, and Therapists
A counselor, clinician, or therapist has a master’s degree in psychology, counseling psychology, marriage or family therapy, or another mental health-related field and is licensed by the state. Their job title is based on the treatment setting.
A counselor, clinician, or therapist evaluates a person’s mental health. Then, they use specific therapeutic techniques to help the individual think, feel, and live better.
Clinical Social Workers
A clinical social worker has a master’s degree in social work and is licensed by the state. They are trained in case management and advocacy services.
The social worker evaluates an individual’s mental health. Then, they use specialized therapeutic techniques to help the person improve their quality of life.
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist has a doctoral degree in medicine, completed their residency in psychiatry, and is licensed by the state. They may be trained in child and adolescent health, substance use disorders, or geriatric psychiatry.
A psychiatrist can diagnose mental health conditions and provide therapy. They also can prescribe and monitor medications.
Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse Practitioners
A psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioner has a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing with a focus on psychiatry and is licensed by the state. They can assess, diagnose, and provide therapy for mental health conditions or substance use disorders.
Some states let a psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioner prescribe and monitor medications. These actions may require supervision by a licensed psychiatrist.
Psychiatric Pharmacists
A psychiatric pharmacist has a doctorate degree in pharmacy and is licensed by the state. They may be trained in child or adolescent psychiatry, substance use disorders, or geriatric psychiatry.
A psychiatric pharmacist provides education about medications, evaluates responses to medication and drug interactions, and modifies treatment as needed. Depending on the state and practice setting, they also may be able to recommend or prescribe medications.
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