Mental Health - Office-Based Care
Office-based care involves regular office visits with a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical nurse practitioner or other mid-level provider (i.e., licensed clinical social worker and professional counselor). Treatment frequency varies and may include a one-hour therapy session per week. Length of treatment depends on diagnosis.
Psychiatrist or Psychologist: What's the Difference?
A psychiatrist
- Has graduated from medical school and holds a medical degree, typically an M.D.
- Completed a residency in psychiatry following medical school
- Is permitted to prescribe medication
- Medical authority on medications used for treatment
- Is not required to personally undergo psychotherapy, although some psychiatrists have had training in psychotherapy
A psychologist
- Holds a doctorate, which can be a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology)
- Completes a doctoral dissertation, which is an original work of research, to earn the doctoral degree
- Is trained to administer and interpret psychological tests
- Must undergo at least a year of personal psychotherapy as part of training
What is a nurse practitioner?
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered professional nurses who are prepared, through advanced graduate education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of health care services - including the diagnosis and management of common and complex medical conditions to individuals of all ages
- Holds a licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.)
- Is permitted to prescribe medication
- Holds a graduate-level education (Master's or Doctoral) with preparation in the NP role and at least one specialty
- Holds National Board certification in neonatal, pediatric, family, women's health, adult, geriatric, psychiatric or acute care
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