Kevlar for the Mind: Getting treatment may require many kinds of professionals - Off Duty, Military Health and Fitness - Air Force Times

Kevlar for the Mind: Getting treatment may require many kinds of professionals

Q. I recently went to the mental health clinic on base and had an evaluation. I saw a social worker for my intake appointment and was referred to a psychologist and a psychiatrist for treatment. Why am I seeing so many different doctors?

The mental health field consists of several types of professionals with different education, training and experience. It’s fairly routine for a person seeking help to meet with multiple professionals for the same problem, but for different services.

Below are brief descriptions of the mental health professionals that service members are most likely to see during treatment:

• Licensed professional counselors have at least a master’s degree in counseling, psychology or a related field, and have passed a state licensing examination. Professional counselors are typically trained to provide individual, group and family therapy, perform mental health evaluations and conduct some forms of psychological testing. They do not prescribe medications.

• Similar to professional counselors, clinical social workers must also possess at least a master’s degree. They provide various types of therapy and conduct mental health evaluations. Unlike professional counselors, clinical social workers do not conduct psychological testing. They do not prescribe medication.

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialized training in mental health. Some conduct counseling, but their primary role is to prescribe and monitor psychiatric medications. Psychiatrists also perform mental health evaluations, but do not conduct psychological testing.

• Psychologists are doctors with degrees in psychology. In addition to providing counseling, psychologists conduct all types of psychological testing and evaluations and are involved in research. Most psychologists do not prescribe medication, but some with specialized training do.

As you can see, there is quite a bit of overlap among these different mental health professionals. If you find yourself being shuffled back and forth between professionals, keep in mind that this is normal. Yes, it can be frustrating, especially if you have to tell your story over and over again. But getting feedback from different perspectives can be helpful.

If you feel uncomfortable seeing multiple providers, tell the person who conducts your initial evaluation. Depending on your situation, they may be able to limit the number of people you have to see. If not, you can always contact Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 and see a professional in your community free of charge.

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Bret A. Moore is a clinical psychologist who served two tours in Iraq and is the author of “Wheels Down: Adjusting to Life after Deployment.” E-mail him. Names and identifying details will be kept confidential. This column is for informational purposes only. Readers should see a mental health professional or physician for mental health problems.