These are all types of mental health professionals whose capabilities and responsibilities vary. Nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, therapists and psychologists often work together as a team to improve a patient’s mental health and wellbeing.
A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is registered nurse with an advanced degree trained specifically to provide a wide range of mental health services. The nurse practitioner holds a master’s degree but may also have a doctorate in nursing or a PhD. Nurse practitioners with doctorate degrees are not medical doctors. A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is licensed by a state board of nursing and holds a national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). A psychiatric nurse practitioner assesses, diagnose, and treat patients with behavioral, developmental, emotional and mental health conditions. They can assess both the mental and physical effects of a disorder. Psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medications as well as provide counseling services. The scope of practice for nurse practitioners varies by state. Nurse practitioners may practice independently in some states while other states limit the nurse practitioner’s duties requiring collaboration with a physician.
A psychiatrists specialize in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of emotional, mental, behavioral, and developmental issues. Psychiatrists diagnose mental disorders and focus on chemical imbalances in the brain. They can assess both the mental and physical effects of a disorder. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, or physicians, with a degree in medicine. Psychiatrists must complete an undergraduate and medical degree, plus a four-year residency in psychiatry. They may then choose to complete a fellowship in a sub-specialty. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications. They may provide some counseling, or might refer a patient to a psychologist or therapist for additional counseling or therapy.
Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers provide mental health services. Therapists require master degrees and are licensed by their specialty boards to practice in the mental health field. Therapists provide mental health diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. There are many different types of therapy such as play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, animal-assisted therapy, dialectal behavioral therapy, and many others. Therapists cannot recommend or order medications, but they can refer you for evaluation for medication or other treatments. Your therapist will help you set goals and help you with developing a treatment plan to reach them. Therapy can be done individually, as a family, couple or in a group setting. Therapy may be short or long-term depending on the severity of the problem.
A psychologist is someone who has an advanced degree (ex. PhD) in psychology. A psychologist specializes in the study of behaviors and mental processes. This includes emotional and cognitive processes, how people interact with their environments, and how they interact with other people. They often conduct research or fulfill the role of the therapist by providing psychotherapy. A psychologist can diagnose and treats mental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Psychologists help patients handle stressful events, beat addictions, or manage illnesses. A psychologist is not a medical doctor and holds a PhD instead of a medical degree.
