Psychiatric providers such as psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, and psychiatric physician assistants are authorized to prescribe medication. While some psychiatric providers also offer therapy, they may refer you to a therapist if you require additional support. It’s advisable to consult a psychiatric provider for a diagnosis and treatment plan and consider a therapy provider for more in-depth problem-solving and symptom management. When deciding on the best way to seek support for your mental health, a common question is whether to contact a psychiatric provider or a therapy provider. It’s helpful to understand the services each can provide and the type of training they have undergone.
Psychiatric Provider
A mental health professional will ask you questions about your situation and history, screen for symptoms, and may order additional tests to review your physical and mental health. They will develop a treatment plan that could include therapy, medication, and guidance on establishing a support system, among other strategies. These professionals can explain the potential benefits and side effects of medication, monitor your symptoms, and adjust your medication or dosage as necessary.
All the following psychiatry providers can prescribe medication:
- Psychiatrist
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Therapy Provider
According to the American Psychological Association, a therapist is a licensed mental health professional, such as a social worker or counselor, who offers therapy. Typically, therapists do not have the authority to prescribe medication. You can see a provider in person or schedule an appointment with an online therapist.
All of the following are therapists:
– Licensed clinical social workers
– Licensed mental health counselors
– Licensed professional counselors
– Licensed marriage and family therapists
Psychologists are therapists with more training. They attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree and a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD), typically spend a year in supervised practice, and must pass a national exam and additional state exam to become licensed to practice, according to the American Psychological Association.
When to See a Psychiatric vs. Therapy Professional
According to the American Psychological Association, two key things could suggest it’s time to contact a therapist: You’re facing a distressing problem, and it’s disrupting your life.
Here are a few other signs that you should seek support:
– You or someone who cares about you thinks about this problem at least once a week.
– You feel embarrassed and driven to hide what’s going on.
– You lose more than an hour of your day to the issue.
– The problem has negatively impacted your progress at work or school.
– You’ve started rearranging your life to work around the problem.
In general, you should see a psychiatric professional when seeking treatment for a mental health condition or a substance use disorder that may require medication. For example, if you want to consider antidepressants for depression or stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, seeing a psychiatric provider is an excellent first step.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s a good idea to reach out to a psychiatric provider if you notice these signs:
– Uncontrollable emotions or mood swings
– Overwhelming sadness, anger, or fear that disrupts your ability to keep up your routine
– Concerns about alcohol or drug use
– Excessive risk-taking that puts you in scary or dangerous situations
– Changes in eating patterns, sleep habits, or performance at work or school
– Pulling away from loved ones
– Thoughts of self-harm
A primary care doctor or therapist may refer you to a psychiatric professional, or you can directly schedule an appointment with us at Journey Psyche.
