Types of Mental Health Practitioners

Types of Mental Health Practitioners

Types of Mental Health Practitioners

For mental health needs, there are many different types of practitioners that a person can go to when they are suffering from mental illness. Let’s discuss what the different types of practitioners and their roles are. These are in no specific order.

Psychologist– A psychologist is a provider who has a doctorate in helping people with mental health issues. They provide therapy for people who are suffering with various mental illnesses.  According the American Psychological Association, “Psychologists can help people learn to cope with stressful situations, overcome addictions, manage their chronic illnesses, and tests and assessments that can help diagnose a condition or tell more about the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. These tests may evaluate intellectual skills, cognitive strengths and weaknesses, vocational aptitude and preference, personality characteristics, and neuropsychological functioning.” These tests and assessments are for conditions such as autism, dementias, cognitive disabilities, ADHD, and many others.

Psychiatrists – A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness.  They all have attended medical school and have done their residency in psychiatry.  A psychiatrist is trained in different therapeutic modalities and they can write prescriptions for medications. Because they are also physicians, they focus on making sure that physical and mental health needs are met. For example, because medications can contribute to different side effects, they also monitor your physical status

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner- A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is a nurse practitioner that specializes in mental health. They are an advanced practice nurse who assess patients, diagnose psychiatric illnesses, provide treatment, and evaluate that treatment. They also make sure your physical health needs are met.  Many PMHNP’s can provide therapy.

What are the similarities and differences between a psychiatrist and a PMHNP?

• Although PMHNP’s have very similar roles to a psychiatrist, one of the differences related to training.  Psychiatrist have a four year medical degree and residency in psychiatry. A PMHNP has four years of training as a nurse and then has at least two to four years (masters or doctorate) as a nurse practitioner who specializes in psychiatry.
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners can also prescribe medications and like a psychiatrist, are experts in psychopharmacology (the study of medications for mental disorders).
• Psychiatrists are more versed in therapy but PMHNP’s often take extra training in various therapeutic techniques.
• Depending on what state you live in, nurse practitioners have different privileges. Some states require the supervision of a physician. In Oregon where I live, nurse practitioners can practice independently.
• Both psychiatrists and PMHNP’s provide high quality health care. PMHNP’s tend to be more holistic, meaning they take into consideration physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional components of a person. As well, they tend to be less paternal and help patients to understand the options so the patient can be part of the team rather than the provider telling them what to do. This does not mean there aren’t doctors who are holistic, but nurse practitioners tend to be better at this.
• Both providers are required to pass certification exams.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker- A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) is a type of mental health provider who has a master’s degree or doctoral degree in social work. Many are excellent therapists and can have their own private practices or work for therapy companies. The Department of Health and Human Services state, “LCSW’s work with clients in order to help deal with issues involving mental and emotional health. There are a wide variety of specializations the Licensed Clinical Social Worker can focus on. These include specialties such as: working with mental health issues, substance abuse, public health, school social work, medical social work, marriage counseling or children and family therapy. Some may choose to work purely in a research, policy making or administrative capacity. The possible career paths as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker are many and varied.”

Licensed Professional Counselor- A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), “Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are master’s-degreed mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders,” (Counseling.org). “The practice of professional counseling includes, but is not limited to, the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, including addictive disorders; psychoeducational techniques aimed at the prevention of such disorders; consultation to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations; and research into more effective therapeutic treatment modalities” These professionals are also excellent at therapy and are great resources when looking for a therapist.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists- The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) describes MFT’s as “mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems. Marriage and family therapists are a highly experienced group of practitioners, with an average of 13 years of clinical practice in the field of marriage and family therapy. They evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders, other health and behavioral problems, and address a wide array of relationship issues within the context of the family system.”

References:

https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner

https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/about-psychologists

https://www.humanserviceedu.org/licensed-clinical-social-worker-lcsw

https://www.counseling.org/PublicPolicy/WhoAreLPCs.pdf

https://www.aamft.org/About_AAMFT/About_Marriage_and_Family_Therapists.aspx