Navigating Mental Health Treatment

If you are looking for mental health care, you may encounter different types of providers and levels of care. Below you will find a brief overview of these topics, as well as some of the commonly treated psychiatric conditions.

Understanding the Different Types of Mental Health Care Providers

Mental health care providers are professionals who can help you with your mental health needs. They have different levels of education, training, and expertise. Depending on your condition and preferences, you may benefit from seeing one or more of these providers as summarized below:

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs), such as MMH’s provider, are advanced practice registered nurses who can:

  • Evaluate patients by conducting interviews, exams, assessments, and diagnostic tests.

  • Diagnose patients and prescribe medication.

  • Provide psychotherapy and coordinate care with other providers.

  • They have a master’s or doctorate in nursing with a psychiatric nurse practitioner concentration.

  • They practice similar to psychiatrists, though their background is in nursing, and they often approach mental health more holistically. Some PMHNPs may offer counseling/therapy approaches to their care.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can:

  • Practice similarly to PMHNPs, but they have a medical background and often focus more on the biological aspects of mental health.

Psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology and can:

  • Provide psychotherapy, psychological testing, and assessment.

Clinical Social Workers are counselors who have a master’s or doctoral degree in social work and can:

  • Provide psychotherapy, case management, and advocacy.

Licensed Professional Counselors are therapists who have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and can:

  • Provide psychotherapy and assessments.

Other Mental Health Providers include peer specialists, pastoral counselors, and group therapists, among others. They can offer various types of support, guidance, and intervention for mental health issues.

What are some of the common psychiatric conditions that mental health care providers treat?

  • ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

  • Addiction

  • Anger

  • Anxiety Disorders (such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

  • Agoraphobia

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (previously known as Asperger’s)

  • Bipolar Disorder (previously known as Manic-Depressive Illness)

  • Cognitive Disorders

  • Dementia (such as Alzheimer’s)

  • Depression or Major Depressive Disorder

  • Dissociative Disorders (such as Dissociative Identity Disorder)

  • Dual Diagnoses

  • Eating Disorders (such as Anorexia and Bulimia)

  • Impulsivity and Impulse Control Disorders

  • Irritability

  • Mood Disorders

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Panic Disorder/Panic Attacks

  • Personality Disorders

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Trauma

  • Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Symptom Disorders

  • Sleep Disorders (such as Insomnia)

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Substance Use Disorders/Substance Abuse

What are the Different Levels of Care in Mental Health Treatment and How to Choose the Right One for You?

Mental health treatment can be delivered in different settings. The level of care that is best for you depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, goals, and preferences. Sometimes, you may transition from one level of care to another as your needs change. The following are some of the common levels of care in mental health treatment:

Outpatient Care (as offered by Mountainside Mental Health)

  • The most common and least intensive level of care.

  • Treatment is delivered within the community where you visit a mental health provider in their office or clinic on a regular basis. Outpatient treatment offers patients flexibility to maintain their daily routines while receiving treatment.

  • Obtain psychiatric evaluations (either voluntary or mandated evaluations, such as court evaluations), medication management, and mental health treatment in an office-based environment.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

  • A more supportive level of care than traditional outpatient care.

  • You often attend this type of treatment for a few hours a day, usually three to five days a week, but continue to live at home or in a supportive living environment.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Day Treatment

  • A more intensive level of care than IOP, but less than residential or inpatient care.

  • You attend treatment for several hours a day, usually five days a week, but return home or to a supportive living arrangement at night.

Residential Care

  • A high level of care that involves living in a non-hospital facility that provides 24/7 supervision and support from mental health staff.

  • You stay on-site in a therapeutic environment, often in a home setting, and receive intensive treatment for several weeks or months.

  • You would participate in various therapies and activities during the day as part of the program.

Inpatient Care

  • Inpatient care is for people who are in crisis and need urgent intervention. It is the most intensive level of care that involves staying in a mental health facility or a hospital for a short period of time.

  • Treatment can be voluntary or involuntary and usually lasts a few days to a few weeks.

  • You receive constant monitoring and treatment from mental health and medical staff.

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: A 24/7, 365 days a year, free and confidential service that connects you with trained mental health professionals who can help you with suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or mental health crises. To contact them, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org

Reach Mountainside’s provider directly or schedule a Free Phone Consultation today.