Is there a difference between a psychiatrist, counselor and psychologist, and how do they assist with mental health?
You may be interested in getting healthcare services for a previously diagnosed condition, or perhaps you have never been diagnosed and are looking for someone to make an initial visit with. You might also need counseling for something that you do not believe is necessarily medical or psychiatric. Regardless, there are several options available that can make this search confusing, but equipped with the right information, you can make the best decision for you and your family.
A licensed mental health counselor can provide you with counseling, as well as psychotherapy (specific talk therapy designed for certain psychiatric conditions), to help aid you in your recovery. They receive a master’s degree in psychology or counseling and are required to have several years of experience working directly with a mental health professional after graduate school.
A psychologist can provide similar services to the licensed mental health counselor (counseling, psychotherapy) but have more in-depth training that can better prepare them for more wide-ranging illnesses and ways to treat them. They undergo the rigors of graduate school in order to receive a doctoral degree and are required to do an internship between two to three years for further training.
A psychiatrist can also provide counseling and psychotherapy services, but they are also able to prescribe medications. Except for in just a few states, psychiatrists are the only healthcare professionals available on this list that are legally able to prescribe medications to the psychiatric conditions that they diagnose.
A psychiatrist is required to go to four years of medical school, so they can accurately distinguish when your psychiatric problems are truly psychiatric or if they are occurring due to another medical problem. It may be surprising, but a variety of common conditions (e.g., UTIs) can have psychiatric symptoms as well. Due to their medical training, they can also keep track of the side effects due to the medication they might prescribe.
Again, it can be overwhelming to choose which healthcare professional to start with. Begin with what you are open to: counseling, medication or both. Often, many healthcare professionals work together to provide the best possible care. For example, a psychiatrist may prescribe you medications and monitor your symptoms and side effects while you also receive counseling services from a licensed mental health counselor.
If you are seeking care for something that does not necessarily need medication, like marriage counseling, you may want to seek a counselor or psychologist that specializes in that field. Likewise, if you suspect that you may be experiencing symptoms that may require medications, it may be wise to see a psychiatrist so they can properly diagnose and prescribe a medication best suited for you.
Request an appointment here: https://mb.futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Ketamine Clinics at (843) 788-9718 for an appointment in our Myrtle Beach office.
Anxiety is a healthy and normal feeling everyone experiences on occasion. However, anxiety is a debilitating problem for many and develops into a mental health disorder. It is important to recognize when it is time to seek help for an anxiety disorder to acquire the necessary support and treatment. Consulting with a mental health professional,…
Anxiety disorders are not the same as temporary feelings of anxiety and nervousness. With an anxiety disorder, feelings of anxiety, panic, and fear can be overwhelming and interfere with your everyday life. Further, there is more than one type of anxiety disorder. Although the symptoms are similar, different types can have different triggers. It is…
PTSD treatment involves a comprehensive approach that combines medications and therapy to reduce symptoms and restore quality of life. Patients often benefit most when both methods are integrated into a personalized care plan. Understanding how these two strategies complement each other is essential to creating stability, improving mood, and reducing the impact of trauma on…
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or “ADHD,” is a mental health condition that affects people of all ages. However, with the help of psychiatry, ADHD treatment is more than obtainable. If you or someone you love has been struggling, psychiatric treatment can help maximize one’s potential and live a healthy life.There are three types of ADHD one can…