Choosing the right psychiatrist is one of the most important things you can do for your health, physical or mental. Yet it’s not quite as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. After all, there are over 28,000 psychiatrists practicing in the United States alone.
There are many different styles of psychiatry and therapy, as well. All of these things, taken together, make choosing a psychiatry practice trickier than it might seem.
Here are a few tips for choosing a psychiatry practice that meets your particular needs.
Understand The Difference Between A Psychiatrist And A Therapist
The first step in choosing the right psychiatry practice is understanding what different options and alternatives are out there. It doesn’t help that many of these terms are used interchangeably when, in fact, they shouldn’t be.
To help set the record straight, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating mental and nervous disorders. A psychiatrist is able to prescribe medication. A psychologist is not always able to.
Psychologists are more often what’s thought of as a ‘therapist.’ The main difference is that psychologists are often not able to make prescriptions. They need to have taken a special course in psychopharmacology to write prescriptions.
This distinction alone should help guide you in finding the right psychiatry practice. If you suspect your issues may be more severe than talk therapy can address, you should be looking for a psychiatrist.
Look For Recommendations For A Psychiatry Practice
Trusted sources are beyond invaluable when it comes to navigating the torrent of information that’s out there. There are numerous different ways you can seek out recommendations to help steer you in the right direction.
The first, and best, is to ask around in your personal network. First of all, people that know you will have more of an in-depth understanding of you and your particular needs than any advice column or guide. They’re also more likely to be unbiased and straightforward with their recommendations or criticism, as they’re not likely to have a commercial interest in your decision.
There’s something to be said for professional advice, however. They’re more likely to be well-trained and have a more in-depth understanding of psychiatry and psychology than your average layperson. They’ll be able to assess psychologists and therapists more definitively and with greater accuracy than somebody without such specialist information.
There’s no discounting the power of professional psychologist guides like you’ll find over here. The internet is a powerful tool, after all. It’s an endless source of quality information when you know what you’re looking for and how to identify good information when you find it.
Taking the time to find the right psychiatry practice is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. It pays in dividends, and keeps on paying as time goes on.
Want More Health News?
Your health is one of the best and most important investments you can make. A healthy mind and body is a firm foundation for a satisfying life.
Whether you’re looking for tips on choosing a psychiatry practice or for tips on optimizing your workout routine, you’ll find something to keep you inspired and informed among our Health articles. Browse the rest today
