| People get confused. I get confused. Can one always | | | | proper dosage to start with, the time of day to take |
| remember the difference between an optometrist and | | | | the medicine, and other important factors that makes |
| an ophthalmologist, an astrologist and an astronomer, | | | | the medicine work better for you. |
| or a podiatrist and a pediatrician? When you don't | | | | Note: Many psychiatrists prefer that while you are on a |
| work in a specific field, or people tend to use certain | | | | psychotropic medicine they have prescribed that you |
| words interchangeably, meanings get blurred. | | | | see one of the following professionals: |
| I may not be able to tell you about other fields, but I | | | | Psychologists are those who usually have a PhD or |
| can explain the field that I work in. I work in a field that | | | | PsyD. This means they are Doctors, as in having a |
| people refer to in many different ways. This is a | | | | Doctorate degree- but they are not Medical Doctors |
| perfect example of using words interchangeably: | | | | and they cannot prescribe medicine. PhD Psychologists |
| Counselor, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, mental | | | | have been educated in clinical practice, research, |
| health provider, behavioral health provider, family | | | | training and assessment. PsyD Psychologists are |
| therapist, or marriage counselor. | | | | trained primarily in clinical practice (counseling). All |
| People who don't work in the field can refer to any of | | | | Psychologists have an average of 5-7 years of |
| us in the above ways, and we are fine with it- as long | | | | education beyond their Bachelor's degree. Licensed |
| as you understand our intent is to be of assistance. | | | | Psychologists have at least two years of supervised |
| However, just for the record, I want to point out some | | | | work and have passed a National Exam. In addition to |
| specific differences that may be helpful to you if you | | | | counseling services, Psychologists may provide |
| or a family member are trying to make a decision on | | | | personality, IQ, and other evaluative testing. |
| who can best assist you. | | | | Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) have earned |
| Let's start with mental health and behavioral health. | | | | a Masters in Social Work and have completed the |
| The word "behavioral" refers to how one behaves or | | | | licensing requirements of the state they practice in, |
| acts, while "mental" refers to something to do with | | | | which usually includes two years of work supervised |
| how one thinks. Both of these terms are used in the | | | | by an LCSW and passing the very extensive |
| profession synonymously. Many prefer to use the | | | | Licensing exam. Social Workers are trained in working |
| "behavioral health" term because of the previously | | | | with groups... from the small group of two to the larger |
| strong stigma attached to the word "Mental". Many | | | | societal groups and everything in between. Social |
| facilities that used to be termed "Mental Health" are | | | | Workers are trained with culture sensitivity and with |
| now "Behavioral Health", allowing people to seek relief | | | | client focus. LCSW's provide couples, family, group, and |
| without the feeling like they will be labeled "crazy" just | | | | individual counseling. |
| because they need to talk to a counselor. | | | | The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) |
| Let's move on to who's who: | | | | has graduate training in Marriage and Family Therapy |
| Psychiatrists are the only ones in this field who can | | | | and at least two years of clinical experience before |
| write prescriptions. Regardless of what you have seen | | | | they take their state licensing exam. LMFT's specialize |
| on TV or the movies, if you see a Psychiatrist in most | | | | in treating their clients within the context of marriage, |
| states, you will not be able to have an hour session of | | | | couples and family systems. |
| therapy. Specifically, there is a shortage of | | | | Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC's) have either |
| Psychiatrists in the whole state of NC. Although it is | | | | a Masters degree or a Doctorate Degree in counseling |
| possible your first session will be 30 min to an hour, | | | | or a related field. They have passed the National |
| follow up sessions will usually be 20 min or less. | | | | Counseling Exam and meet the requirements for |
| Psychiatrists usually only have time to manage a | | | | licensing in the state in which they practice. LPC's work |
| person's medication. Psychiatrists are Medical Doctors | | | | with all populations. |
| who are specialists in the field of Psychiatry and are | | | | Pastoral Counselors are trained both in psychology |
| experts in the area of psychotropic medicines | | | | and theology. Pastoral Counselors provide spiritual |
| (antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, etc.) Psychiatrists | | | | guidance in addition to their counseling services. They |
| are able to make an appropriate diagnosis of a | | | | usually have a Masters in Divinity Degree in addition to |
| person's symptoms, and choose from a vast array of | | | | other academic work. Currently, Pastoral Counselors |
| medicines that will assist a person to function better. | | | | are licensed in some states (to include NC) and |
| Many general practitioner Medical Doctors (MD's) refer | | | | certified in others. |
| depressed or anxious people to Psychiatrists so that | | | | There you have it! So now, even though you might |
| they can get the best medicine, dosage, etc for the | | | | have to google what an astronomer does, you will |
| symptoms they are experiencing. A Psychiatrist is not | | | | already know who to call should you need assistance. |
| only able to prescribe the meds, but also tell you the | | | | |