Counselors....

A lot of practices have psychologist and psychiatrists on staff. A psychiatrist is an MD where a psychologist can hold a doctorate but it is not a medical doctorate so they cannot prescribe. Thing is because they didn't spend most of their time working on that MD psychologists tend to be better at therapy.

The only exception would be for ADHD, Autism, or other spectrum disorders. I have yet to meet a psychiatrist who doesn't know his stuff when it comes to these disorders. Then again maybe I am lucky, who knows. :)

Still utopia is a practice that has it all. :)

Hey Girl!!

I'm glad you are taking care of yourself! That's the hard part - acknowledging you need help! YOU GO GIRL!!

Psychologists cannot write Rx's. Psychiatrists can. however, if this is a depression issue - OBs as well as PCPs can write Rxs for depression meds. If it's more than depression - bi-polar, etc. then see a Psychiatrist.

You might not click with the first one - don't give up - there is one out there for you. it's okay to go to different ones to find one that you "click" with and who isn't there just to shove meds down your throat but to HELP YOU!!

GOOD LUCK!!

I have a Ph.D. in psychology, but I am NOT a therapist. I have also been a patient for anxiety and saw a psychologist. I only add this info to give you context since I know a bit about how offices are run and have friends who are therapists. In my experience only MDs can perscribe (pscyhiatrists). However, in many offices there are therapists fo all sorts (counselors, social workers, psychologists) who have a standing relationship with a psychiatrist who collaborates on a treatment plan. Thus, the psychiatrist will perscribe with the advice and input of a therapist. Often, the psychaitrist doesn't do very much real counselling if any, but is there mostly for cases in which medication must be considered and adjusted. So, you might want to find an office you are comfortable with and ask this question when you call for your appointment. "Should I need medication perscribed, do you have a psychiatrist on staff?" It is perfectly reasonable to say that you dont' want to have to run around to a bunch of different offices and ask how it works. An I agree with you - please don't rely on a PCP. They are a great first line of help, but are often eager to perscribe without understanding the complexity of the issues. Best wishes.

PS - Jus tread your "what happened." All is can say, is just make the call. It is less of a big deal than you think it will be, and you will feel better for doing it. Making positive steps is a huge confidence boost, and I found going to therapy, although only briefly to be very very helpful. It took me over 10 years to pick up the phone. One day, I just googled "psychologist" and dialed the number of the prettiest website. Not very scientific I know, but I just needed to do it. It was easy after that.

Echo of others- only psychiatrists can (as far as mental health professionals). However, most don't intend to do extended therapy with you, they just meet with you every month or less to check in. If you have lots to talk about, you will want a counselor. Maybe find one in a group practice that includes a psychiatrist, then it's much more streamlined.

This is not to say that psychiatrists won't talk about your issues, just not like a counselor will. Good luck to you!

Ok, here's my story. I've written this for other moms, so forgive me if you've already heard it!

When my youngest was 3, I quit smoking. I felt incredibly overwhelmed. I had NO coping skills. I cried everyday, at the drop of a hat. I felt hopeless, completely buried, entirely alone.

I went to my GP, also a young mom, a wonderful doctor. I sat on the table SOBBING, going on and on about how fucking AWFUL my life was and how I just had no STRENGTH to deal with the next thing that came my way.

She listening intently, I was very embarrassed about being so pathetic.

She said, well, I can't let you go home this way. She prescribed me a medium dose of Zoloft. She spent a half hour talking about this FANTASTIC therapist she knows personally, and professionally. She STRONGLY urged me to go talk to her. She used the word STRONGLY at leat 6 times, teehehe.

I started the Zoloft. In 2 weeks I started feeling better. I HAD intended to make an appt with the therapist. But within a month, I was rollin' up my sleeves and digging in. Back to my usual self....Whatdayaneed? Whatdayaneed?! Bring it on! No problems!

I never did go to the therapist. After about 6 months on the Zoloft, I started lowering the dose, and went entirely off it in about 2 weeks, with no issues whatsoever. This was 11 years ago, I have not revisited that "ME" since.

(Of course, I should also mention, I DID go back to smoking, grrrr. In hindsight, had I GONE to the therapist, I may have learned some coping skills. But that's a different post, right?)

Hooray for you for knowing you need a little help! I do know a mom can use a little help from time to time.

The best to you, girl!

:)

Psychiatrists are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe meds. Your OBGYN or general practitioner can as well, but of course you're not receiving counseling then!

What usually happens is that you go to counseling, and if it's determined that you may benefit from and would like to try medication, then the counselors have psychiatrists either in their practice or that they refer to. Sometimes the psychiatrist is right there and they just go ahead and write the prescription or else the counselor/psychologist has them call it in for you. Often the psychiatrist wants to meet with you once or twice as well, but they will have your file and know your background so you're not starting all over again.

Of course you can just start with a psychiatrist to begin with as your therapist and as the person who would prescribe you meds!

See a psychicatrist - they will talk to you about how you are feeling and do a blood work up (at least mine did) to ensure there's nothing internally going on to cause your symptoms. He/She may start you on meds....in addition (mine did) referred me to a counselor to meet with in addition to checking in with psych. regarding how I am feeling on my anti depressant.

I'm Adhd.

When I'm on meds I always work with a team.

A psychologist for counseling (hour long appts) & a psychatrist for med management (5 minute appt).

How it works is this:

All my therapy is via the psychologist. Then they work really closely with the psychiatrist and I get my meds via the psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist's job is to keep an eye on my physicality / how my body is responding/ research & notices (med updates come out daily and weekly, one reason to never go through a GP because they never have time to read through the research and flashes and journals).

Psychiatrists do meds, but most of them do very little counseling. I think you should look for a clinic that has both counselors and psychiatrists-- a LOT of them are set up that way. Then if you need to try meds in addition to counseling you only have to go down the hall!