Medication Management Services
 
The following primarily provide medication management service only. If you are interested in seeking treatment for therapy services please refer to the section below titled "Therapy Services". It is not uncommon to see a combination of the two service providers for both medication management and therapy.
 

Psychiatrist

• A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor or physician who has completed medical school and a multi-year residency in Psychiatry (treatment of mental illness).
• Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. As physicians, they are also experts in the use of medications to treat mental disorders as well as treating these conditions with an understanding of the interplay with other medical disorders. As medical experts they also understand how different medications affect each other.
• They are able to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological disturbances.
• Since Psychiatrists are medical doctors, they are able to determine the need for medical tests and medication to help adjust imbalances in body chemistry that may be part of the mental illness.
• There are several sub specialties, such as child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry.

Addictionologist

• An Addictionologist is a medical doctor who is board-eligible or certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and who specializes in diagnosing and managing patients with addiction disorders.
• An Addictionologist manages a patient with dependence on various substances of abuse - e.g., alcohol, cocaine, opiates, tobacco

Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist / Nurse Practitioner)

• A Clinical Nurse Specialist is a licensed Registered Nurse (R.N.) with a graduate degree in nursing.
• The Clinical Nurse Specialist has advanced training in the areas of health assessment.
• In the area of psychiatry, the Clinical Nurse Specialist may also be known as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner works closely with a Psychiatrist.
• A Clinical Nurse Specialist can prescribe medications.

Physician Assistant

• A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision of a physician.
• Physician assistants have their own medical licenses and do not work under a physician's license.
• A physician assistant is licensed to prescribe medication.
• A physician assistant is trained to treat mental disorders by providing services that are traditionally performed by a physician.

 

 
Therapy Services
 
Psychologist

• A Psychologist is an individual who has completed a doctoral level degree (about 5 years of graduate school resulting in the Ph.D., or Psy.D. degrees)
• Psychologists will have a doctoral degree from an academic or professional college and generally cannot prescribe medication.
• The term Psychologist is legally protected and only licensed individuals can use the term.
• Psychology is a very diverse discipline; some Psychologists are scientist-researchers, some are therapists and some become administrators. Those that specialize in therapy are called Clinical Psychologists.
• Psychologists are extensively trained therapists. They have received training in the diagnosis treatment and research of human behavior. They are also skilled in testing and other problems in mental functioning.

Ph.D.

• This is a doctoral level degree generally requiring extended graduate level university training (4-6 years after completing regular college B.A./B.S. programs).
• Clinical Psychologists will often have this degree, although the Ph.D. can be issued in many different fields and is not limited to psychology (e.g., a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, an Ed.D. in Education).
• Ph.D. means, "Doctor of Philosophy".

Psy.D.

• This is a doctoral level degree generally requiring extended graduate level university training (3-4 years after completing regular college B.A./B.S. programs).
• Psy.D. means "Doctor of Psychology".
• Some Clinical Psychologists have this degree.

Clinical Social Worker - L.C.S.W.
Marriage and Family Therapist - L.M.F.T.
Mental Health Counselor . L.M.H.C.

• Therapists have graduate training (Master's, Doctoral, or Post-doctoral)
• They assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional conditions and addictions.
• Treatment methods include individual, marital, couple, family and group counseling and psychotherapy.
• Therapist are educated and trained to consider the situation in which their clients live and work. They also pay attention to the ways in which cultural influences affect individuals and families.
• Therapist cannot prescribe medicines or admit people to a hospital.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselor

• Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselors are credentialed at different levels in each state.
• The level of credential is based on education levels, work experience in providing direct treatment and supervisory experience.
• The Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselor is state licensed and/or certified to provide direct services.
• A Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselor is an addiction-focused professional who helps individuals and families with health and recovery.
• Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselors perform many activities including: screening, assessment and diagnosis of drug and alcohol issues, management of an individual treatment plan, individual, family, group counseling, education and prevention strategies.

Pastoral Counselor

• A Pastoral Counselor is a mental health professional with training in both mental health and theology.
• He/she typically holds a masters or doctoral degree in Pastoral Counseling, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy. Pastoral Counselors may also have a masters or doctorate degree in theology or divinity.
• Pastoral Counselors are licensed and/or certified per state requirements according to their mental health training.