The Basics of Mental Healthcare

 Written by: Amber Dorsey, Psy.D

The Clinical Cookout, LLC

    A common struggle for people searching for mental health services is identifying where to look, what to look for, and what questions to ask. Often, people feel defeated by the initial search and either put off their search or stop looking completely. Luckily, you have The Clinical Cookout on your side to give you a brief, yet informative blog post that outlines the essentials of finding a therapist that can meet your mental health needs. 

What type of mental healthcare is right for me?

    Simply put, there are two categories of mental healthcare: inpatient and outpatient.  Inpatient care refers to mental health care provided in a facility for a period of at least 24 hours. This includes hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric ward of a general hospital, alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, and residential treatment centers. During inpatient treatment, individuals have access to comprehensive care, such as 24-hour support or monitoring by trained professionals, therapy, and medication management.

    On the other hand, outpatient care does not require an overnight stay in a facility.  The individual is able to engage in daily activities while participating in treatment.  In short, you go about your daily life as usual and receive treatment at a scheduled time with your therapist or mental health professional that fits into your schedule. You still go to work and school, hang out with friends, spend time with family, and engage in other favorite hobbies or activities. This level of care is appropriate for non-emergency care for mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness. This can include anxiety, depression, grief, anger management, relationship problems, and more.

    It is critical to know the difference between the two before beginning your search for mental health services.  The remainder of this blog will focus on providing education on the basics of outpatient mental healthcare.

Mental Health Basics
 

    There are several mental health professionals that provide care for mild, moderate, and severe mental health problems. Through your search, you’ll encounter the term “licensed” for several of these professions.  When a professional is licensed, it means that they have completed the requirements to be certified by their state’s board of professionals in their specialty, and their practice is regulated and governed by that board.  Licensed professionals who have substantial experience with working directly in the field can often be approved to supervise early career professionals. In some cases, you may be seen by a graduate student or provisionally licensed professional.  This means they are in the process of or have already completed their educational requirements and are under the supervision of a licensed professional to earn the required hours to obtain their own license. Some examples include:

• Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who specializes in prescribing and monitoring medications to improve both the mental and physical aspects of mental health.
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist: A mental health professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and/or treating mental health concerns through both therapy and psychological evaluations. 
• Licensed Professional Counselors: A mental health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health concerns through therapy or counseling. 
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers: A professional who provides a variety of direct services, such as counseling, crisis intervention, and more.

    There are also professionals who are not governed by a licensure board but can still provide quality services to improve and mental health. Life coaches and spiritual healers are examples of professionals who focus on improving an individual’s overall social, emotional, and physical well-being. Yes, it gets complicated!  But, as someone seeking care, your main goal is to find the right service provider to meet your needs.