Overwhelmed? 5 types of mental health specialists can help
Stress can have a cumulative effect. You don't have to carry it alone.
Stress piles up. And that can lead to feeling overwhelmed. If left unchecked, burnout can become a real possibility.
You don't have to carry stress alone
“Uncertainties in life can weigh heavy and impact different areas of life including at work, at home, and how one shows up in our community. Stressors can also have a cumulative effect and result in a variety of symptoms. You don't have to carry it alone,” says Oscar Ureño, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical manager at PeaceHealth in Vancouver, Washington.
Millions of people see the value of getting help, whether for short periods or long ones.
“Having a professional at your side can help you lighten your load or help you learn different and healthy ways to carry it differently,” he says.
Depending on where you live, you might be able to choose from several types of mental or behavioral health specialists to ease your mind.
5 Types of mental or behavioral health providers
Here are a few types of experts at PeaceHealth or in private practice who can help you gain more confidence in managing life’s ups and downs:
1. Psychiatrist (MD/Doctor of Medicine, DO/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner/PMHNP)
Education: These specialists earn a medical degree with specialized training in psychiatry.
Why choose: These practitioners can prescribe medications to help with mental health diagnoses. Psychiatric specialists ask questions about symptoms, life, health conditions and medications, if any. Working in collaboration with patients, they help determine if medication is the right option. In most cases, a combination of medication and therapy will be prescribed to facilitate the greatest impact.
2. Psychologist (PhD, PsyD)
Education: These specialists earn a doctoral degree focused on psychological services.
Why choose: Graduate psychology training focuses on all aspects of human behavior, with an emphasis on research and scientific methods. Psychologists can also do psychological or cognitive testing (testing for how a person thinks or reasons) for schooling or diagnosis. Clinical psychologists have a minimum of 3,000 clinical hours and must have a license to practice.
3. Clinical Social Worker (LICSW, LCSW)
Education: These specialists earn a Master’s degree plus two years of post-graduate work. They must hold an “independent clinical” license to enter private practice for mental health.
Why choose: Clinical social workers are trained in psychotherapy. Their particular emphasis is on connecting people to support services in their community.
4. Mental Health Counselor (LPC, LMHC)
Education: These specialists earn a Master’s degree plus two years of post-graduate work. (Generalist mental health counselors have various license titles that vary by state.)
Why choose: Counselors help patients cope with a variety of mental, emotional, behavioral and social challenges. This includes working toward concrete solutions.
5. Marriage and Family Therapists (LMF)
Education: These specialists earn a Master’s degree.
Why choose: While in training, therapists focus on marital or family therapy. This allows them to keep a singular focus for their degree. However they may do post-graduate work in any area. This allows them to offer generalized care or care that focuses on a specific treatment or type of client.
When you're ready to seek care for mental health
If you feel it’s time to focus on your mental health, talk to your primary care doctor. Or check your insurance plan for a list of providers available in your area.
Feeling overwhelmed can catch all of us by surprise. If you or a loved one needs immediate support to address a psychological or psychiatric crisis, please visit your nearest emergency department.
If you need help but are not sure what steps to take next, or are worried about a loved one, you can call 988 or text “help” to 988. This is a national 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline. You don't have to face a crisis alone.
