What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They specialize in understanding how medications for mood disorders or thought disorders interact with the body and mind, and other medications you may be taking. Some psychiatrists may provide a degree of clinical contact during appointments, but this is secondary to the goal of providing excellent medication management. Therapists specialize in understanding mental and emotional health, and the nuances involved to improve this through talking and understanding self and relationships.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Medication alone cannot solve all issues; it treats the symptoms. Therapy explores the root of the issue, delves into your behavior, and teaches strategies to help you accomplish your personal and/or relational goals. Medication can be effective and is sometimes needed in conjunction with therapy.
I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?
Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, which, for whatever reason, aren’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In therapy, we’ll identify those strengths and how to implement them again in your current situation.
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way—teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential, so you won’t have to worry about others “knowing your business.” If your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, confiding in a friend or family member might lead to avoiding that person once you feel better, to not be reminded of this difficult time in your life.
Insurance for Out of Network Coverage
Confirming your out-of-network benefits for mental health can normally be obtained in one brief call. Call the customer service number on your insurance card, and ask the following questions:
- Benefits: “Do I have out-of network benefits for mental/behavioral health?”
- Deductible: “How much is my deductible, and how much to date has been met?”
- Rate: “What is my co-insurance rate for my out-of-network mental health benefits?
Once this information is collected, it will be easier for us to determine what your out of pocket costs will net out to.