Who Can Help? (Types of Mental Health professionals):

There are a number of different Mental Health Specialist's and Mental Health Professionals; the requirements for each may differ between states and countries.  Below is a list of some of the main professions in mental health:

Psychiatrist – Is a medical doctor that specializes in mental health and has had training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.  Psychiatrist’s can prescribe medication.  A family doctor can prescribe medication for mental health issues but has not done any specialized training related to mental disorders.

Psychologist – Is trained to make a diagnosis, conduct psychological assessments and provide individual or group psychotherapy.  Psychologists can focus on clinical work or research; the amount of clinical work and the required qualifications a psychologist has can vary from state and country.

Clinical Social Worker – Has been trained to provide individual and group counseling.  They have had training in psychotherapy and social work from an accredited program.

Psychiatric Nurse – Psychiatric Nurses are usually trained as a regular registered nurse, however they have specialized training in psychiatry and in psychotherapy, and a few hundred hours (minimum) of clinical experience.  In some states psychiatric nurses can prescribe the same kinds of medication a psychiatrist can.  

Licensed Professional Psychotherapist or Counselor – Usually have a Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, psychotherapy or related field (depending on the state).  Most have had thousands of hours of clinical experience and can provide individual and group counseling.

Marriage and Family Therapists – Can have a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree (depending on the state) and can have a minimum of hundreds or thousands of hour’s clinical experience (depending on the state).  Marriage and Family Therapists have special education and training in marital and family therapy and can provide individual or group counseling. 

Pastoral Counselors – Are clergy members, such as priests, ministers, or rabbis and have training in religion and counseling.

Choosing the right therapist for you can often take more than one attempt.  You may need to try a number of professionals before you find the right one that suits your needs and personality.  Some people are afraid to do this but it is important to remember it is your wellbeing and therefore your decision about the appropriate professional to help you.