Believe it or not, your mental health is just as important to your overall well-being as your physical health. It affects how you think, feel, and behave, as well as how you handle stress, deal with relationships, and make decisions.
Becoming more self-aware about your own mental health can help you identify when there’s a problem. Maybe you’ve been feeling sad lately and you’re not sure why. Maybe you had a traumatic experience and you’ve been dwelling on it a lot. Maybe you’re not sure what’s wrong, but you just feel off. All you know is, you want to take steps to feel better.
Therapy vs Psychiatry: What’s the Difference?
You’re probably familiar with the idea of therapy — even if you’ve never tried it. One-on-one therapy involves meeting with and talking to a licensed professional to help deal with negative thoughts or any stumbling blocks to feeling more like yourself again. It helps you build coping skills, strengthen relationships, and improve your outlook on life.
Therapy is a form of applied psychology which studies the human mind and behavior, while psychiatry is a medical specialty that focuses on studying and diagnosing mental and behavioral disorders. Psychiatry also involves the prescribing and managing of medications to support a diagnosis.
There are so many ways to improve your mental health, and there’s no one solution that works for everyone, but many studies have shown that therapy, medication, or a combination of the two is extremely beneficial.
Therapy
- Involves talking through your feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and challenges to develop self-awareness and change negative patterns.
- Conducted by a professional, licensed provider.
- Does not involve medication.
- Focuses on your emotional state and helps you identify and work through negative thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are holding you back from feeling happier and healthier.
Psychiatry
- A branch of medicine that focuses on the brain, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.
- Managed by a medical provider who can prescribe medication.
- Can include appropriately prescribed medication.
- Can support your mental health journey through medication that may ease symptoms of conditions like anxiety, depression, etc.
Which one is right for you? Unless you have a diagnosed mental health condition, you’ll probably start with a therapist. During your initial session, you’ll complete an intake form to share more information about your current feelings and thoughts. If your therapist feels medication would be helpful in your treatment, they’ll recommend you also speak with a provider who can prescribe it.
Types of Therapy Providers
You should only seek therapy from a professional provider who is licensed in the state where you reside. All therapists have a minimum of a master’s degree, but education requirements, titles, and licenses vary by state. Although their specialties may differ, most therapists can help you with various issues and conditions.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- QS (Qualified Supervisor)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Psychologist (PsyD or PhD)
- Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)
Types of Psychiatry Providers
Psychiatry and medication management must be overseen by a provider who is authorized to prescribe medicine. Although psychiatry providers CAN offer therapy services, they usually focus on medication management, sometimes in conjunction with a therapist providing talk therapy.
- Psychiatrist (MD/DO)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (PMHNP-BC)
- Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
How Does Therapy & Psychiatry Work?
During therapy, you’ll meet one-on-one with your provider to talk through the issues that are bothering you. You’ll set up goals and milestones with your therapist as you work towards changing negative thoughts or behaviors. Your therapist may use a variety of different approaches during your sessions, depending on your condition and what you are trying to achieve.
If medication is included in your treatment plan, you’ll meet with a medical provider who can prescribe it. They’ll monitor your side effects and reactions to the medication, making sure it’s working the right way and tweaking dosage or type, depending on how it affects you. There are many variations of medicines that can help with mental health conditions, and it may take a bit of trial and error to find the right one for you.
DON’T FORGET: The most important part of working with a provider is feeling comfortable and open. It may take a few different tries to find the right provider for you. Don’t be afraid to switch if the connection isn’t there!
What Does Therapy & Psychiatry Treat?
Therapy and psychiatry can help with many different mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Panic Disorders
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
But you don’t need a specific diagnosis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek talk therapy to simply become more self-aware, communicate better, or develop better everyday coping skills.
How MindGlow Health Can Help
Taking the first step to improve your mental health can feel daunting, but once you do it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long. You’re not alone in this!
When you’re ready, MindGlow Health offers talk therapy and psychiatry through online appointments with licensed providers who are experienced and passionate about what they do. The company was built on the foundation of a well-established behavioral health organization, where thousands of people nationwide have sought care for their mental health concerns.
Learn more about our convenient, secure, trusted services today and take the first step towards a happier, healthier you.
