Often times in our articles we refer to the "Professionals" of mental health/illness treatment, but we often don't specify who these professionals are or what they do. This week's article is devoted to explaining the "who's who?" of mental illness treatment.

Psychiatrist: (often confused with "psychologist"):
Is a medial doctor who has completed medical school and has specialized knowledge and training in the area of psychiatry. This doctor is a specialist of "mental illness" similar to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in the disorders of the digestive tract or a pediatrician who specializes in the treatment of children. A psychiatrist prescribes medication and diagnoses disorders.

Family Doctor:
Is responsible for the physical health of the ill person. Often the family doctor is the first professional to see someone experiencing mental health issues. They may prescribe medication often in cooperation with a psychiatrist.

Psychologist:
Has Doctorate of Psychology and is called Doctor but they do not have medical training and cannot prescribe medication. The psychologist specializes in assessment of mental illness, and provides talk therapy (counseling), such as Cognitive therapy, behaviour modification and many other types of counseling. Talk therapy is often an essential part of treating a mental illness.

Social Worker:
Has a Degree or Masters Degree in Social Work. They may provide counseling services, assist in discharge planning, work as part of a treatment team, be a link to community resources or to the workplace.

Occupational Therapist:
Assists individuals to learn or relearn skills to better help people to function in the community, at home, at work, or at school.

Counsellors:
This is a very general title. You may encounter a number of people who are counselors. This title does not guarantee a person has education or experience in the area you need help in. Always check their experience and education before you begin seeing them as education and area of specialty vary greatly.

This list of mental health-related professionals is not at all a complete list but hopefully it has helped to clear up the most commonly confused treatment professionals in the area of mental health. No article on treatment professionals would be complete if I failed to acknowledge the important work of:

Thanks for everything you do.