Need HelpIf you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, |
Get Help
If you, a friend or a loved one think that you might have a mental health disorder or if you are just going through a tough time in your life and you need someone to help you work through the issues, good news: Help is available.
Where to Start
Taking a depression-screening test is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of clinical depression.
Find Treatment
There are many types of mental health professionals. It may be helpful to meet with your primary care physician or spiritual counselor to describe your symptoms/issues. He or she may suggest the type of mental health professional you should call.
Ther are several types of Mental Health Professionals who can help:
- Psychiatrist--medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses. Like other doctors, psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication.
- Qualifications: should have a state license and be board eligible or certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
- Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist--medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioral problems in children. Child/Adolescent psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication.
- Qualifications: should have a state license and be board eligible or certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
- Psychologist--Psychologist with a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited/designated doctoral program in psychology and two years of supervised professional experience, including a year long internship from an approved internship. Trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy.
- Qualifications: and for some psychologists, credentialing as a health service provider in psychology.
- Clinical Social Worker--Counselor with a masters degree in social work from an accredited graduate program. Trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group counseling.
- Qualifications: state license; may be member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers.
- Licensed Professional Counselor--Counselor with a masters degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Qualifications: state license
- Mental Health Counselor--Counselor with a masters degree and several years of supervised clinical work experience. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Qualifications: certification by the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor--Counselor with specific clinical training in alcohol and drug abuse. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Qualifications: state license
- Nurse Psychotherapist--A registered nurse who is trained in the practice of psychiatric and mental health nursing. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Qualifications: certification, state license.
- Marital and Family Therapist--A counselor with a masters degree, with special education and training in marital and family therapy. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Qualifications: state license
- Pastoral Counselor--Clergy with training in clinical pastoral education Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Qualifications: Certification from American Association of Pastoral Counselors.