A mental health specialist can refer to various professionals with advanced training in mental health care, including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage family therapists, and psychiatric nurses. They work in different settings, such as private practice, hospitals, or military health facilities, and provide various forms of treatment, including therapy and medication.
Mental health specialist is a term with multiple definitions. It often refers to people who have advanced training in working with people with mental illnesses and psychological problems. This includes psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists such as licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and marriage family therapists (MFTs) and psychiatric nurses. Profession is also a defined career in some branches of the military, where it does not entail as much training and where work is typically conducive to the goals of the professionals listed above.
In this last definition, the mental health specialist in places like the military tends to work in any military health facilities dedicated to treating people with mental illnesses, and especially those suffering from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). . Specialists receive some training for their role and may perform jobs such as patient ingestion and interviews. Its purpose is to sensitively support the work of other mental health professionals and to help provide the best and safest care possible for people being treated. Part of your job may include more than patient care and may require secretarial or administrative work.
A psychiatrist fits the more standard definition of a mental health specialist, and these professionals can have many job responsibilities. They are licensed physicians and, as such, are able to diagnose mental conditions and suggest various forms of treatment, including drug treatment or things like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In private practice or in a hospital environment, they can follow up with patients after suggesting medical intervention. Some psychiatrists also conduct talk therapy or work collaboratively with people’s therapists to provide the best care.
A mental health specialist who is a psychologist is likely also dedicated to patient care. As in psychiatry, psychologists can work in different areas: private practice, hospital or other places where mental health treatment is needed. Specialist in mental health implies working more with people who need treatment for mental health problems and therefore the psychologist is likely to focus on diagnosis and therapeutic treatment for mental illnesses or problems that cause mental distress. This treatment usually takes the form of therapy with patients.
Likewise, LCSW and MFT are more likely to offer therapy to clients, with possible initial diagnoses. Therapy can last a year or more, or it can be done on a short-term basis. This therapy can be for individuals or groups. Some of these counselors work privately, but others may work for community agencies that provide mental health care or for hospitals or programs that treat the mentally ill.
Another mental health specialist is the psychiatric nurse, and these are usually at least registered nurses with additional expertise in the field of psychiatric care. They often work in mental hospitals, although some are also employed by private practice psychiatrists. In hospital settings, they take care of the patient’s physical needs, take care of their safety, assess health and dispense medications. Privately employed, they can answer basic patient questions, educate patients on necessary medications, and determine when a psychiatrist should be contacted regarding a patient’s medical status.
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