Types of Therapy

There are multiple methods that are used by professionals to help manage mental health conditions. The most common methods are counseling, psychotherapy, and medication management. 

Counseling

Counseling focuses on specific issues and is designed to help a person address a particular problem, such as addiction or stress management. The focus may be on problem-solving or learning specific techniques to help cope with or manage problem areas. This is usually more short-term than therapy, so it focuses on particular issues.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is more long-term than counseling and will look at a broader range of issues. This form of therapy's underlying principle is that a person's thinking and behavior patterns affect how that person interacts with the world. The goal is usually to help people feel better equipped to manage stress, understand patterns in their behavior that interfere with reaching personal goals, have more satisfying relationships, and better regulate their thinking and emotional responses to stressful situations.

Suppose someone is struggling with a mental illness like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or an anxiety disorder. In that case, psychotherapy is also used to address how mental illness affects their daily life and then formulate ways to manage symptoms, like following medical recommendations.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, has multiple approaches that mental health professionals utilize. Some types of treatments used are Psychoanalytic Therapies, Behavioral Therapies, Cognitive Therapies, Humanistic Therapies, and Integrative/Holistic Therapies.

Medication Management

Medication management, also known as medication therapy management (MTM), ensures that medications are taken and used effectively. It can include:

Creating a medication list

• A complete and accurate list of all medications, including prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, is a foundation for medication management.

Developing a medication schedule

• A medication schedule can help ensure that medications are taken at the correct time and dosage.

Educating patients

• Patients and caregivers can be educated about proper dosage, frequency, and side effects.

Evaluating response to medications

• Medication management can include evaluating how patients respond to their medications and their effectiveness.

Communicating with a patient's doctor

• Collaboration between providers can be common in medication management. This involves the patient, their doctor (usually a Primary Care Doctor), and their mental health provider working together to manage symptoms and monitor the proper use of medications. 

The Different Types of Providers

Depending on your needs, you could be referred to a psychiatrist who will prescribe medication as a form of treatment and will continue with you doing medication management. You could also be referred to another provider for psychotherapy or counseling that will focus on some form of therapy that will help with coping with stress. There is also a possibility that you could need both medication management from a medical provider and psychotherapy from another provider.

Medical Doctor (M.D.) or PSychiatrist

Psychologists

Psychologists hold doctoral degrees in clinical psychology or another specialty, such as counseling or education. They are trained to evaluate a person's mental health using clinical interviews, psychological evaluations, and testing. Clinical interviews are usually used to help with diagnoses that involve neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive mental health conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum disorder, and Learning Disabilities. 

They can make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy. Some may have training in specific forms of treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other behavioral therapy interventions.

Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D.)

A Ph.D. requires first earning a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years. Students may choose to earn an undergraduate degree in a subject such as psychology, sociology, counseling, education, or social work. Graduate school usually follows, and it usually takes between 5 and 7 years to finish.

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

A Psy.D. typically takes 4 to 6 years to complete and is focused more on professional practice than research. Coursework covers topics such as diagnosis, assessment, and clinical interventions. 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Psychiatric nurses have had special training in providing mental health services. They can evaluate patients for mental illness and provide treatment in the form of psychotherapy. In some states, they are also licensed to prescribe and monitor medications.  

Counselors, Clinicians, Therapists

These master's-level healthcare professionals are trained to evaluate a person's mental health and use therapeutic techniques based on specific training programs. Depending on the treatment setting, they operate under various job titles, including counselor, clinician, therapist, or something else. Working with one of these mental health professionals can lead to symptom reduction and better ways of thinking, feeling, and living. These providers usually can diagnose, assess, and implement mental health interventions. These providers cannot usually prescribe medications, so the focus is usually talk therapy and psychotherapy. 

Licensed counselors in the U.S. use different titles depending on their expertise. Those may include:  

• Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (L.M.H.C.)
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (L.C.P.C)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Mental Health (L.P.C.C.)
• Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (L.C.M.H.C.)
• Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (L.M.H.P.)
• Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor (M.F.C.C.)
• Marriage and Family Therapist (M.F.T.)

Clinical Social Worker

Clinical social workers are trained to evaluate a person's mental health and use therapeutic techniques based on specific training programs. They are also trained in case management and advocacy services. These providers usually can diagnose, assess, and implement mental health interventions. These providers cannot usually prescribe medications, so the focus is usually talk therapy and psychotherapy.

Types of Licenses for Social Workers:

• LICSW, Licensed Independent Social Workers
• LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• ACSW, Academy of Certified Social Workers

Other Types of Providers

Certified Peer Specialists

These specialists have lived experience with a mental health condition or substance use disorder. They are often trained, certified and prepared to assist with recovery by helping a person set goals and develop strengths. They provide support, mentoring and guidance.

Social Workers

Social workers (B.A. or B.S.) provide case management, inpatient discharge planning services, placement services and other services to support healthy living.

Pastoral Counselors

Pastoral counselors are clergy members with training in clinical pastoral education. They are trained to diagnose and provide counseling, and their degrees can be equivalent to a doctorate in counseling.

Where to Start

Some search engines that can be used to start your journey into searching for a mental health provider are:

Psychology Today

Psychology Today is the world's largest online mental health and behavioral science destination. It is the original and largest publishing enterprise exclusively dedicated to human behavior. Our motto is "Here to Help," and the resources you're accessing right now are the worldwide destination of choice for expert-authored information about psychology and mental health.

GoodTherapy

Millions of people use GoodTherapy to find therapists and counselors, rehab and residential treatment centers, and mental health resources. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health or behavioral concerns, relationship issues, or other challenges, search our directory to find a qualified therapist near you.

Network Therapy

Find a licensed therapist for in-person or telehealth therapy/counseling services. Our Provider Directory offers a searchable database of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and treatment centers nationwide dedicated to providing treatment services and support for those with mental health concerns.

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2024, February 12). Types of mental health professionals | NAMI. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/types-of-mental-health-professionals/ 

Mental Health Provider Search

1) Who is my Primary Care Physician?

• What is the name of the clinic or practice you go to for your healthcare?
• Who is the doctor or professional you go to for your healthcare?
• Could your Primary Care Physician (PCP) refer you to a mental health provider?

2) Who is my Health Insurance Provider?

• Who covers the cost of your medical visits?
• Is this through your employer?
• Medicaid or Medicare?
• What does your plan cover?
• Are mental health services covered in your plan?
• Call your insurance company and get a list of referrals, which you can verify from your search if your insurance covers them. 
• Is the provider you're looking at going in-network or out-of-network for your insurance?

3) What are the symptoms causing you concern about your mental health?

• Difficulty with falling asleep or staying asleep?
• Change with your appetite (eating too much or not eating at all)?
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain?
• Loss of motivation?
• Feelings of sadness or hopelessness?
• Feeling worried or stressed?
• Suicidal Thoughts? 
• Self-Harming?
• Substance Use?
• Panic Attacks? (be ready to describe the attacks and what is occurring during the attacks)
• How frequently are you experiencing these symptoms? (the last week, the previous two weeks, a month, or the last year)
• Are the symptoms ongoing or happening during specific times? (During a particular time of the year, during stressful times, or after specific dates)

4) Be ready to answer questions about your medical history that entails possible past substance use, current substance use, and any previous mental health treatment. This can be scary and intimidating for some people, which makes them want to not go through with therapy, but keep in mind professionals ask these questions to know which approaches they may need to use with you. You can always ask questions when unsure or don't understand something. That's your right as a patient and allows you to advocate for yourself.