MENTAL HEALTH BASICS.....



The difference in Mental Health Professions

Psychiatrist - Medical doctors who have a specialization in psychology,
Their role is very important as advances in psychotropic mediations have
enabled people - who even a few years ago had to be confined - to now
live in the community. They are often in charge of treatment in
hospital settings.

Psychologist - PhDs who usually cannot prescribe medication, do a lot of
testing, do therapy as a main approach to treatment, and are diagnostic
oriented.

Clinical Social Workers - Usually masters level people and often are
licensed (LCSW), frequently are the case managers in Severe and
Persistently Mentally Ill Population.

Counselors - Used more often in the private settings than public and are
concerned with helping people solve specific issues, usually have
Masters with a license, they tend to be solution oriented.