Mental Health 101
Mental health is best thought of as a matrix where we can move among states of mental well-being. It’s vital to develop self-awareness in order to recognize the signs of progressive mental distress and to implement a change.
Different Types of Providers
Choosing a mental health provider is a key component in ensuring quality care. There are many types of providers to choose from. The various providers are highlighted below with their scopes of practice.
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Required to have a master’s degree and complete supervised clinical hours
- Able to diagnose a mental illness and provide counseling services
- May specialize in different types of counseling:
- Marriage/Family
- Addiction Treatment
- Cognitive-Behavioral
- Psychodynamic
Psychiatrist
- A physician who completed medical school with a specific focus on mental illness
- Able to evaluate and diagnose mental disorders
- Able to prescribe medications to manage mental disorders
Psychologist
- Complete a minimum of graduate-level training; some may have received a doctorate degree
- (PhD, EdD, PsyD)
- Able to diagnose, assess and treat mental illness across the lifespan of the diagnosis
- May have specialized training:
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Questions to Ask When Looking for a Therapist
- Verify that they accept your insurance.
- What are your office hours, fees and length of sessions?
- What is your education? What type of license do you have?
- Requirements vary widely by state.
- What is your area of expertise?
- What is your treatment approach and philosophy?
- What is your experience with helping people with similar concerns to mine?
- What is the usual course of treatment for my condition?
Resources
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)*
- Telemedicine Mental Health services*
- In-Network mental health providers via your insurance carrier website
- Mental Health America
- Suicide Prevention Hotline:
- 1-800-273-8255
- Crisis Text Line:
- Text HOME to 741741
*Indicates services may not be available to all employees
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