What type of practitioner do I need?
Mental health care is a team sport. Here’s a quick guide to the kinds of professionals you might encounter — and how they differ.
Psychiatry+
A medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that have primarily mental or behavioral symptoms, and with the care of people having such disorders.
Psychiatrist+
An M.D. who treats psychiatric disorders. Psychiatrists attend medical school and choose psychiatry as their specialty. They use their skills and knowledge to prescribe the appropriate medications.
Psychologist+
A professional who studies behavior and experience and is licensed to provide therapeutic services. They hold a doctoral-level degree. Psychologists are unable to prescribe medication; they provide psychological testing and therapy. If medication is needed they may work with a psychiatrist for the benefit of the patient.
Therapist+
A psychotherapist or counselor — a psychoanalyst or a professional from another school of psychotherapy who is trained to treat mental and emotional problems with psychological methods. Provides therapy and some psychological testing. Holds a master’s level degree. If medication is needed they may work with a psychiatrist for the benefit of the patient.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner+
A registered nurse trained in primary health care to assume some of the responsibilities once assumed only by a physician, with a specialty in psychiatry. They hold a master’s degree. At Family Psychiatry of The Woodlands, our nurse practitioners provide medication management under physician supervision.