There are six basic types of mental health professionals found in the United States, with dozens of variations on these types.
Naturally, this produces a great deal of confusion when it’s time to consult one! Do you go to a counsellor, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist? What are the qualifications of the psychiatric nurse you are assigned to at the clinic? You can get medications from a psychiatrist but no therapy, and therapy from a psychologist and no medications. It can be very frustrating.
The main differences between the types of mental health professions is what kind of treatment they focus on or specialize in, their educational background, and the types of licensing required for their profession. Following is a very brief synopsis of the six main types of mental health professionals you are likely to encounter:
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