Members often have questions about their health plan, from the definition of terms to how to best utilize their coverage. Our Term Talk series aims to answer commonly asked questions to help you better understand health insurance and empower you to make decisions about your coverage that best fits your needs.
A common dilemma: I’ve been struggling with my mental health and am ready to prioritize seeking professional help for depression and anxiety, however, I’m not sure where to start. I have a friend who sees a therapist, but I’m not sure if that’s the type of mental health professional I should be seeing as well. Psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors; there’s seems to be a lot of titles out there but I’m having a hard time distinguishing what the difference is and what’s right for me.
Behavioral health care professionals
While their titles may vary by state, there are many behavioral health care professionals who can help to achieve your mental health goals. Some can prescribe medication, while others offer guidance or counseling; some may work in inpatient settings like hospitals or psychiatric facilities, while others might work in outpatient settings like community health clinics or private practices.
Here are the most common behavioral health care professionals who specialize in mental health care:
Therapists, counselors, clinicians: Requiring a master’s degree (M.S. or M.A.) in a mental health-related field, these mental health care professionals are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health, including making a mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis. Though they cannot prescribe medication, they can provide therapeutic techniques to help their patients achieve better ways of thinking, feeling and living, along with symptom reduction. They may be trained in types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and more, and some may have training to treat co-occurring substance use disorders. There may also be licensure and certification requirements that vary by state.
Psychologists: Requiring a doctoral degree (Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D., in a field of psychology or Doctor of Psychology degree, Psy.D.), psychologists assess a person’s mental health through clinical interviews, psychological evaluations and testing. While also unable to prescribe medication, they can make mental health or substance use disorder diagnoses. Licensure requirements also vary by state, and some psychologists could be trained in types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and more, and some may have training to treat co-occurring substance use disorders.
Clinical social workers: Like psychologists, therapists, counselors and clinicians, clinical social workers are trained to assess a person’s mental health, including making a mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis, and to provide therapeutic techniques. They may be trained in types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and more, and some may have training to treat co-occurring substance use disorders. They are also trained in case management and advocacy services, and require a master’s degree in social work, with required licensures varying by state. There are also social workers (non-clinical, requiring a B.A. or B.S. degree) who can provide case management, inpatient discharge planning or placement services to patients.
Psychiatrists: These are licensed medical doctors who have completed residency training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are able to diagnose mental health conditions and substance use disorders, provide therapy and prescribe and monitor medication. While they’re required to have a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), some have also completed training in certain specialties like child and adolescent mental health, substance use disorders or geriatric psychiatry. Required licensures vary by state.
Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse Practitioners: Requiring a Ph.D. or M.S. degree in nursing with a specialized focus on psychiatry, psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners can provide assessment, diagnoses and therapy for mental health conditions or substance use disorders. In certain states, they are also qualified to prescribe and monitor medications. Required licensures also vary by state.
Resources available to you
While seeking help can feel overwhelming, you should feel proud that you are taking a step towards improving your health and well-being. At Harvard Pilgrim, we’re here to help with behavioral health resources for everyone. We have a large and growing network of behavioral health providers with expertise across dozens of behavioral health care specialties. Search our online directory to find a provider near you, or connect with one of our behavioral health service navigators who can assist with finding the right provider for you and scheduling appointments. To get started, call member services at 888-333-4742 (TTY: 711).
