WHOM DO I NEED?
It's safe to assume that, by the time you go looking for a mental health professional, you are not in good shape. If you must sort out psychologists, psychiatrists, psychics, psychos... you just might decide not to get help at all!
We can't have that. Read on for a very easy primer on the many faces of mental health - and where to find them.
It's safe to assume that, by the time you go looking for a mental health professional, you are not in good shape. If you must sort out psychologists, psychiatrists, psychics, psychos... you just might decide not to get help at all!
We can't have that. Read on for a very easy primer on the many faces of mental health - and where to find them.
Psychologist (Psy.D or Ph.D) is a scientist-practitioner who went to graduate psychology school, defended a doctoral dissertation, completed a psychological residency, and passed licensing exams. Psychologists are licensed and regulated by state Boards of Psychology
* Diagnoses, conducts psychotherapy, administers and analyzes psychological tests
* Refers to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner if medication is needed
* Some psychologists take insurance, others are FFS. Most do sliding scale (reduced fees) for indigent patients
* See a psychologist when you:
* are suffering from emotional, psychological, or cognitive distress
* suspect or know that you have a psychiatric illness or a psychological disorder
* are experiencing personal or interpersonal upheaval or difficulty
* are stuck in a pattern or situation that is not working for you
Therapist (CSW, MFT, MSW, etc.) is a practitioner who earned a master’s degree in a mental health field, and completed a supervised internship. In CA, therapists are licensed and regulated by Board of Behavioral Sciences
* Counsels primarily families and couples, as well as individuals, with emphasis on interpersonal issues
* Refers to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner if medication is needed
* Refers to a psychologist if psychological testing or formal diagnosis are needed
* May administer some psychological tests, but not licensed to analyze/interpret findings, or issue diagnoses
* Excellent, relatively affordable option for psychotherapy, especially for interpersonal problems
Psychiatrist (M.D) is a physician who went to medical school, completed a psychiatric residency, and passed licensing exams. Psychiatrists are licensed and regulated by state Boards of Medicine.
* Diagnoses, prescribes medications, manages medication-related issues
* Trained to conduct psychotherapy, but most refer to psychologists or therapists
* Many accept insurance; some, especially those in private practice, are fee-for-service (FFS)
* See a psychiatrist when you:
* are suffering from a psychiatric illness, have tried psychotherapy, and it isn’t helping enough
* were advised to get a medication evaluation by your psychologist or therapist
* are suffering from a psychiatric illness, and feel too incapacitated to fully engage in psychotherapy
* are having hallucinations (seeing/hearing things other people don’t), or delusions (ideas others find odd)
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) is a nurse who went to graduate nursing school, completed a residency, and passed licensing exams. Psychiatric NP’s are licensed and regulated by state Boards of Nursing.
* Diagnoses, prescribes medications, manages medication-related issues
* In some, but not all, states, nurse practitioners must have their prescriptions co-signed by a physician
* Training in psychotherapy varies, most refer to psychologists or therapists for psychotherapy
* Most, but not all, psychiatric NP’s accept insurance. They charge less than psychiatrists
* See a psychiatric NP for the same reasons you would see a psychiatrist
Psychologist (Psy.D or Ph.D) is a scientist-practitioner who went to graduate psychology school, defended a doctoral dissertation, completed a psychological residency, and passed licensing exams. Psychologists are licensed and regulated by state Boards of Psychology
* Diagnoses, conducts psychotherapy, administers and analyzes psychological tests
* Refers to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner if medication is needed
* Some psychologists take insurance, others are FFS. Most do sliding scale (reduced fees) for indigent patients
* See a psychologist when you:
* are suffering from emotional, psychological, or cognitive distress
* suspect or know that you have a psychiatric illness or a psychological disorder
* are experiencing personal or interpersonal upheaval or difficulty
* are stuck in a pattern or situation that is not working for you
Therapist (CSW, MFT, MSW, etc.) is a practitioner who earned a master’s degree in a mental health field, and completed a supervised internship. In CA, therapists are licensed and regulated by Board of Behavioral Sciences
* Counsels primarily families and couples, as well as individuals, with emphasis on interpersonal issues
* Refers to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner if medication is needed
* Refers to a psychologist if psychological testing or formal diagnosis are needed
* May administer some psychological tests, but not licensed to analyze/interpret findings, or issue diagnoses
* Excellent, relatively affordable option for psychotherapy, especially for interpersonal problems
Psychiatrist (M.D) is a physician who went to medical school, completed a psychiatric residency, and passed licensing exams. Psychiatrists are licensed and regulated by state Boards of Medicine.
* Diagnoses, prescribes medications, manages medication-related issues
* Trained to conduct psychotherapy, but most refer to psychologists or therapists
* Many accept insurance; some, especially those in private practice, are fee-for-service (FFS)
* See a psychiatrist when you:
* are suffering from a psychiatric illness, have tried psychotherapy, and it isn’t helping enough
* were advised to get a medication evaluation by your psychologist or therapist
* are suffering from a psychiatric illness, and feel too incapacitated to fully engage in psychotherapy
* are having hallucinations (seeing/hearing things other people don’t), or delusions (ideas others find odd)
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) is a nurse who went to graduate nursing school, completed a residency, and passed licensing exams. Psychiatric NP’s are licensed and regulated by state Boards of Nursing.
* Diagnoses, prescribes medications, manages medication-related issues
* In some, but not all, states, nurse practitioners must have their prescriptions co-signed by a physician
* Training in psychotherapy varies, most refer to psychologists or therapists for psychotherapy
* Most, but not all, psychiatric NP’s accept insurance. They charge less than psychiatrists
* See a psychiatric NP for the same reasons you would see a psychiatrist
HOW DO I FIND "THE RIGHT ONE"?
Don’t be a hero! Searching for the right practitioner is a daunting task, even when you are well. Imagine how you’ll feel after telling your story over and over. Be kind to yourself! Ask a friend to call around for you.
IMPORTANT: If you are struggling with suicidal or homicidal urges, or are in a crisis, get help right away!
* Call 911; THEN your doctor, if you have one; THEN a crisis hotline (1.800.SUICIDE)
To find a mental health practitioner in the USA, try:
* Nationwide mental health referral sites, such as therapists.psychologytoday.com
* State Boards, such as psychology.ca.gov, or http://www.bbs.ca.gov
* County or state psychological associations’ member listings, such as www.smcpa.org
If you wish to pay with your health insurance:
* For in-network (HMO, PPO & POS):
* Use Provider Finder on the insurer website to search for “mental health or “behavioral health"
* Call around and talk to a few. If they offer a free consultation - take it!
* After you make your choice, ask your primary doctor to fill out the referral
* For out-of-network (PPO & POS):
* Call the number on your card to find out how much they will reimburse (pay you back)
* Reimbursement may be a percentage of the provider’s fee, or a fixed amount per session
* Insurers may take a long time, up to 8weeks, to send a check. Be sure to budget accordingly
If you have neither income nor insurance to pay for therapy, and need psychological help:
* Call mental health practitioners’ offices, and ask them about:
* Pro bono. Many providers offer free sessions to those who need therapy and can not pay
* Pro bono spots are hard to find and fill up fast. Accept all offers to go on a waitlist, and keep looking
* Sliding scale. Many therapists offer fee reductions based on financial need
* To prove financial need, bring a recent pay stub or last year’s tax return to show your therapist
* Google your zip code together with words “community mental health”
* CMH agencies pair indigent patients with therapy interns guided by licensed supervising therapists
* Excellent, up to date, cheap therapy in exchange for agreeing to be a “training case”
_________________________________________________________________
If you live in CA, and would like to work with me to get a handle on your problems,
use the form to Contact me, or send me a text at 650.416.6463
If you live in CA, and would like to work with me to get a handle on your problems,
use the form to Contact me, or send me a text at 650.416.6463