"Who Can Help? Mental Health Professionals to Turn to"
April 2005
	If you or someone you know may benefit from a counselor or mental health center, here are some questions and guidelines to help you find the right care. Where Can I Go For Help? Where you go for help will depend on who has the problem (an adult or child) and the nature of the problem and/or symptoms. Often, the best place to start is your local Mental Health Association. Check your Yellow Pages for a listing or call the National Mental Health Association at 800/969-NMHA. Other suggested resources: - Your local health department’s Mental Health Division. These services are state funded and are obligated to first serve individuals who meet "priority population criteria" as defined by the state Mental Health Department. There may be waiting lists and not all individuals may be eligible for services. In some jurisdictions local funding is provided for additional services. - Other mental health organizations - Family physician - Clergyperson - Family services agencies, such as Catholic Charities, Family Services, or Jewish Social Services - Educational consultants or school counselors - Marriage and family counselors - Child guidance counselors - Psychiatric hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations - Hotlines such as 1.800.SUICIDE, 877.GRADHLP, or 877.YOUTHLINE. - Crisis centers, and emergency rooms (call 411 for Directory Assistance) Which Mental Health Professional Is Right For Me? There are many types of mental health professionals. Finding the right one for you may require some research. Often it is a good idea to first describe the symptoms and/or problems to your family physician or clergy. He or she can suggest the type of mental health professional you should call. Types of Mental Health Professionals - Psychiatrist - Medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses. Like other doctors, psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication. - Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist - Medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioral problems in children. Child/Adolescent psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication. - Psychologist - Counselor with an advanced degree from an accredited graduate program in psychology, and 2 or more years of supervised work experience. Trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy. - Clinical Social Worker - Counselor with a masters degree in social work from an accredited graduate program. Trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group counseling. - Licensed Professional Counselor - Counselor with a masters degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling. - Mental Health Counselor - Counselor with a masters degree and several years of supervised clinical work experience. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling. - Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor - Counselor with specific clinical training in alcohol and drug abuse. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling. - Nurse Psychotherapist - A registered nurse who is trained in the practice of psychiatric and mental health nursing. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling. - Marital and Family Therapist - A counselor with a masters degree, with special education and training in marital and family therapy. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling. - Pastoral Counselor - Clergy with training in clinical pastoral education Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling. You Make The Call To The Mental Health Professional...Now What Do You Do? Spend a few minutes talking with him or her on the phone, ask about their approach to working with patients, their philosophy, whether or not they have a specialty or concentration (some psychologists for instance specialize in family counseling, or child counseling, while others specialize in divorce or coping with the loss of a loved one.) If you feel comfortable talking to the counselor or doctor, the next step is to make an appointment. On your first visit, the counselor or the doctor, will want to get to know you and why you called him or her. The counselor will want to know-- what you think the problem is, about your life, what you do, where you live, with whom you live. It is also common to be asked about your family and friends. This information helps the professional to assess your situation and develop a plan for treatment. If you don’t feel comfortable with the professional after the first, or even several visits, talk about your feelings at your next meeting; Don’t be afraid to contact another counselor. Feeling comfortable with the professional you choose is very important to the success of your treatment. What About Self-Help/Support Groups? Self-help support groups bring together people with common experiences. Participants share experiences, provide understanding and support and help each other find new ways to cope with problems. There are support groups for almost any concern including alcoholism, overeating, the loss of a child, co-dependency, grandparenting, various mental illnesses, cancer, parenting, and many, many others. For More Information: Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental health center or... National Mental Health Association 2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311 Phone 703/684-7722 Fax 703/684-5968 Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA TTY Line 800/433-5959 ____________________________ April 2005 - mpoweryouth.org