There are many types of professionals who provide mental health care. The main differences are their level of education, their specific focus, and whether they can prescribe medication. Here is an overview.
Medical and prescribing providers
These professionals have medical training and primarily focus on the biological and chemical aspects of mental health. Since they have medical training, they can prescribe medication.
- Psychiatrists (MD or DO): Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Many are board-certified, meaning they have undergone additional training and received a certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. You can check to see if a provider is board-certified here. They primarily focus on medication management but may also provide psychotherapy.
- Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP): Advanced practice nurses with specialized training in psychiatry. Like psychiatrists, they can diagnose conditions, provide therapy, and prescribe medications.
- Psychiatric physician assistants (PA-C): Medical professionals who practice under the supervision of a psychiatrist to diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication.
Therapy and counseling providers
These professionals provide counseling, but cannot prescribe medication.
- Psychologists (PhD or PsyD): A psychologist has a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited program. They are trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy.
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW): LCSWs have a master's degree in social work from an accredited program and are licensed by their state. They are trained to diagnose mental health conditions, provide individual and group therapy, and offer case management and advocacy services.
- Licensed professional counselors (LPC): an LPC has a master’s degree in psychology or counseling and is licensed by their state to evaluate a person’s mental health and provide individual and group counseling.
- Marriage and Family therapists (LMFT): These clinicians have master’s degrees and focus on the dynamics of relationships and family systems to resolve conflicts and improve communication.
Want to verify a provider’s credentials? You can look up a license here at eLicense. Here are additional resources:
- How to Choose a Psychologist: A comprehensive guide from the American Psychological Association (APA) on what to look for in a therapist.
- Finding a Mental Health Professional: Detailed descriptions of various provider roles from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
- Tips for Finding a Provider: Practical advice on logistics, insurance, and fit from the Mayo Clinic.
Specialty care: what you need to know
A state license proves that a professional is qualified to provide therapy. However, it does not mean they are "certified" in a specific type of treatment.
For specialized methods like EMDR (trauma therapy) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), clinicians are not legally required to have a separate certificate to say they "specialize" in it. Because experience levels vary, it is important to ask a few questions to make sure you are getting the level of care you need.
Here are a few questions to ask:
1. "What specific training have you had in this method?"
Did they take a single workshop or complete a long-term program?
2. "How many clients have you treated using this technique?”
Do they use it regularly or just once in a while?
3. "Are you certified by an official organization for this specialty?"
You can look up the organization if they give you one.
Your rights as a patient
Connecticut law provides strong protections to ensure you are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. You have the right to be an active partner in your care. This includes the right to:
- Dignified treatment: To be treated with respect and personal privacy at all times.
- Participation: To be an active partner in developing your own treatment and discharge plans.
- Informed consent: To receive a full explanation of any proposed treatment, its risks, and any alternatives before agreeing to it.
- Confidentiality: To have your records and diagnosis kept private, shared only with your written consent (except in specific legal or emergency situations).
- Freedom from discrimination: To receive care without being discriminated against based on your psychiatric disability.
- Parity: To have your mental health services covered by insurance at the same level as physical health services (e.g., no higher co-pays or unfair visit limits).
You can learn more about patient rights here (PDF).