Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists and Therapists – What Each Professional Brings to the Table
The stigma surrounding mental health care has diminished significantly in recent years. Now, people from all walks of life are significantly more willing to seek care than they might have been several generations ago. This public recognition of the need for good mental health care is having a significant impact on the overall health landscape.
But who are the professionals rising to meet the need of new patients? There are many mental health professionals out there, all making an important impact on how people receive care.
In this article, we take a look at mental health nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and therapists. What each job does, and how discerning patients can distinguish between them.
What is a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?
On paper, and depending on where you live, nurse practitioners can perform almost the exact same jobs as a licensed doctor. In the mental health space, this can include everything from performing patient evaluations to making the ultimate diagnosis.
To that end, nurse practitioner services are very much like that of a psychologist or therapist. However, it is worth noting that your state will have the ultimate say on what a nurse practitioner can do. Some allow them almost total autonomy, even letting them set up their own practices in the same way a medical doctor would.
Others require tighter supervision. For example, in some states, nurse practitioners are allowed to make diagnoses, but only after a doctor has signed off on them.
That said, there are many reasons a person might choose a nurse practitioner over a medical doctor. For one thing, they may simply be more accessible. While nurse practitioners have been around for a long time, many people are not aware of their services. Consequently, it is often easier to get into their offices than it is to that of a popular doctor.
Compatibility is also very important— particularly when it comes to receiving mental health services. If a patient feels that they get along best with a nurse practitioner, that’s who they should see.
Psychologist
Psychologist is something of a blanket term in the world of mental health in that it doesn’t necessarily say anything specific about the person’s daily responsibilities. Psychologists might be involved in patient care in much the same way as nurse practitioners or therapists, as described above.
Their title could also refer to the research or teaching that they do. For example, college professors working in the psychology department are considered psychologists.
Therapist
When people think about mental health services, it is often a therapist that first comes to mind. When you imagine two people in a room with a couch, it’s most likely that you are imagining a therapist. Their job is to help walk people through their feelings, allowing them to better understand their emotions.
It is worth noting that therapists are not medical doctors. Patients that would like to see someone who can make official diagnoses and prescribe medications should see psychiatrists. These professionals do much of the same work as the other highlighted careers but with the added ability to be able to make official medical diagnoses.
Choosing a Mental Health Professional
With so many mental professionals out there, how do patients decide what type of treatment is right for them? Below, we describe some of the factors that go into making that choice.
- Your comfort level: Personal discretion is often the biggest barrier to receiving good mental health care. People are uncomfortable with the idea of revealing their most personal feelings to a stranger, and therefore often delay treatment. Finding a person you trust and are comfortable with is a vital first step in receiving high-quality long-term care.
- Your ailment: Therapists are often used for everyday issues. If you are having trouble at work, or in your family life, it’s a therapist you will most likely see. On the other hand, if you are having deeper psychological issues— depression, anxiety, or anything that requires a diagnosis or medication regimen— you will need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Of course, financial accessibility often plays a role as well. Western healthcare sometimes neglects to include mental health services in routine coverage. Consequently, many people are left only with the options that their care providers are willing to give them.
While cost remains a significant barrier to care, it is safe to say that the prospect of robust mental health treatment is more promising than ever.
