Finding and Choosing Your Mental Health Professional

• What Type of Mental Health Provider Do You Need?
  (See “Types of Mental Health Providers below)
   
• What are Your Personal Preferences?
  Religion – Age – Gender – Language – Cultural Background - Specialty
   
• What are Your Options?
  Obtain a list of providers from your insurance company.
  Phone providers and ask if they accept your coverage.
   
• Seek a referral or recommendation from:
  Clergy, friends, or family
  Your primary care physician or other medical doctor
  Contact mental health organizations such as NAMI, SAMSHA, or APA.
  Check phone book listings.
   
• Questions to Ask Over The Phone or In a First Appointment:
  Why do you do this type of work?
  What is your education, training, licensure and years in practice?
  What are your office hours, fees, and length of sessions?
  Do you accept medicare, medicaid, or self directed care reimbursements?
  e. What is your treatment approach or philosophy?
   
• Double-check credentials by contacting your state’s licensing board.
   
• Reevaluate after your initial meetings.
  Am I still comfortable?
  Are my needs being met?

Types of Mental Health Professionals

Article from the NAMI National Website http://www.nami.org/

Mental health services are provided by several different professions, each of which has its own training and areas of expertise. Finding the right professional for you or a loved one can be a critical ingredient in the process of diagnosis,  treatment, and recovery when faced with serious mental illness. 

Psychiatrist - a psychiatrist is a physician with a doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree or osteopathic (D.O.) degree, with at least four more years of  specialized study and training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are licensed as  physicians to practice medicine by individual states. "Board certified"  psychiatrists have passed the national examination administered by the  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Psychiatrists provide medical  and psychiatric evaluations, treat psychiatric disorders, provide psychotherapy,  and prescribe and monitor medications. 

Psychologist - some psychologists have a master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) in psychology while others have a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in clinical, educational, counseling, or research psychology. Most states license psychologists to practice psychology. They can provide psychological testing, evaluations, treat emotional and behavioral problems and mental disorders, and provide psychotherapy. 

Social Worker- Social workers have either a bachelor's degree (B.A., B.S., or B.S.W.), a master's degree (M.A., M.S., M.S.W., or M.S.S.W), or doctoral degree (D.S.W. or Ph.D.). In most states, social workers take an examination to be licensed to practice social work (L.C.S.W. or L.I.C.S.W.), and the type of license depends on
their level of education and practice experience. Social workers provide various services including assessment and treatment of psychiatric illnesses, case management, hospital discharge planning, and psychotherapy. 

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse - Psychiatric/mental health nurses may have various degrees ranging from associate's to bachelor's (B.S.N.) to master's (M.S.N. or A.P.R.N) to doctoral (D.N.Sc., Ph.D.). Depending on their level of education and licensing, they provide a broad range of psychiatric and medical services, including
the assessment and treatment of psychiatric illnesses, case management, and psychotherapy. In some states, some psychiatric nurses may prescribe and monitor medication. 

Licensed Professional Counselors – Licensed Professional Counselors have a master's degree (M.A.) in psychology, counseling or a similar discipline and typically have two years of post-graduate experience. They may provide services that include diagnosis and counseling (individual, family/group or both). They have a license issued in their state and may be certified by the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.

Remember You Are Interviewing Candidates
to Decide Who You Will Hire to Care for Your Mental Health!

Bugs Bunny is my hero. 
He wasn't afraid to ask, "What's Up Doc?"
Good Doctor's Are Experts in Diagnosing and Treating Illness.
But We Are Experts On Our Own Life!