Mental Health (A-Z)

Some examples of treatment options for mental health include:

• Individual psychotherapy or counseling
• Couples, family, or group psychotherapy or counseling
• Medication
• Hospitalization

Some examples of treatment options for addiction or substance abuse include:

• Individual psychotherapy or counseling
• Group programs and 12 step programs, such as AA
• Inpatient treatment or rehab
• Detoxification   
• Medication
• Medication-assisted therapy

Psychotherapy and counseling are generally considered to be the same thing and will be referred to here as psychotherapy or therapy. Only licensed mental health professionals are qualified to do psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy refers to various treatments that aim to help people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Depending on the needs of the client/patient, and the style of the therapist, psychotherapy can take several formats. The formats you are most likely to encounter are:

• Individual therapy: Meeting one-on-one with a therapist
• Couples therapy: Working as a duo to improve the relationship with your partner or spouse
• Family therapy: Therapy focused on the entire family to improve relationships, increase support among family members, and promote better overall functioning within the family
• Group therapy: Small groups of people with common issues and goals working together with a licensed therapist or therapists.

Yes! In the last 50 years, hundreds of studies have found that psychotherapy is effective in treating children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Overall, these studies show that 75-80% of people who enter psychotherapy improved over those who received no therapy at all. Psychotherapy can improve how you think, feel, and behave. It is also associated with positive changes in the brain and body.

In 2008, Azy Barak et al. published a comprehensive review of all the empirical studies (92) on the effectiveness of online therapy, involving a total of 9,764 clients.  The Barak’s study revealed that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. The American Psychological Association acknowledges the convenience and effectiveness of online therapy. It advises, however, that a potential client check out a few things before committing to web therapy. The APA suggests that an interested client make sure that the potential therapy site or app is secure, that the therapist is licensed in the client’s state, and that the client fully understands the financial obligations, since online therapy is often not covered or reimbursable by health insurance providers.

All groups of professionals listed below are considered to be therapists.

• Licensed Addiction Counselors: LACs earn a master’s degree in addiction studies, behavioral science, or a related field. Training includes clinical supervision.
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers: LCSWs earn a master’s or doctoral degree in social work which includes supervised clinical training.
•  Licensed Professional Counselors: LPC’s earn a masters or doctorate in counseling or a related degree, including supervised clinical training.
• Psychiatrists: Psychiatrist attend medical school and earn a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (OD). They then go on for specialized training in psychiatry during a 3–4-year residency. Training in psychiatry focuses on the biological aspects of mental illness. Some psychiatrists include psychotherapy in their practice, but they usually concentrate on helping people manage serious mental illnesses through the use of medication.
•  Psychologists (PhD or PsyD): Psychologists earn a doctorate degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD). This includes 4-6 years of academic preparation followed by a year of supervised work with patients or clients. Psychologist are training in testing and assessment as well as psychotherapy.

Congratulations on taking this big step in reaching your mental health goals.  Here are some ideas for finding a therapist.

1. Check out the providers and resources here at the Mind Over Matters website!
2. Consult with your primary physician. Your doctor will rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms and refer you to a qualified mental health professional.
3. Check with your health insurance. Many health insurances can provide a list of in-network providers.

As you consider your list of potential therapists, be sure to consider their qualifications, including degrees, years of experience, and specialties. If you are wondering if a particular therapist is someone you would like to work with, ask for a consultation before the first appointment. Most therapists offer free, short consultations to make sure the client and therapist are a good match.

• Physicians and Psychiatrists (MD): Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness.
• Nurse Practitioners (NP): Nurse practitioners are nurses who have additional training, skills, and experience beyond their initial professional registered nurse RN degree. All NPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree, including extensive clinical training. NPs can provide many of the same services as a physician.
•   Physician Assistants (PA): PAs are master’s level medical practitioners whose education is modeled on the medical school curriculum. PAs receive didactic and clinical educational training. PAs can provide many of the same services as physicians
• Medical Psychologists (MP): In five US states, including Louisiana, a medical psychologist is a psychologist (PhD or PsyD) who has earned a post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology. They can prescribe all psychotropics, order labs, and treat side effects.

You are not alone. The stigma of mental illness holds many people back from seeking treatment.  Perhaps you learned from your family or community that having a mental or emotional issue is a sign of personal, moral, or spiritual weakness and should be hidden from others. You may have heard you need more will power or should just “snap out of it” instead of seeking help. The truth is that anyone can develop a mental illness in the same way that they can develop a physical illness. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five Americans is living with a mental illness.