General Questions

Therapy, also called psychotherapy or talk therapy, is a method of treating emotional and mental disorders. Psychotherapists use a range of techniques to create communication and behavioral change. These changes are designed to improve the mental health of a patient. Psychologists, therapists, social workers, counselors, and more, practice psychotherapy. Psychiatry is a field of medicine that is primarily associated with diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. It is practiced by Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants. They can prescribe medications after establishing a diagnosis and need for medications. Often called prescribers, psychiatrists practice psychotherapy and they have earned a medical degree. This expertise allows the psychiatrist to prescribe medication to help treatment mental disorders. This service is known as “medication management.”

No, prescribers do not always prescribe medication. The prescriber will see a patient for an initial evaluation, after which they will recommend a treatment plan to the patient that might include medications, therapy, or both. While they manage your medications, any patient who needs therapy is referred to a therapist to establish additional care.