Mental Health Specialist

A mental health specialist is a trained professional who helps manage emotional and behavioral health concerns. This group includes psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers.

Many specialists can diagnose (identify) and treat different mental disorders. They’ll create treatment plans based on your needs. Some may prescribe medication. Others focus on therapy and skill building.

Your provider will create a treatment plan that fits your specific symptoms, goals and personal situation.

Types of mental health specialists

There are many different types of specialists. Each one has different training and areas of focus. Some common types include:

• Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe and monitor medication.
• Psychologists: Psychologists are medical doctors who evaluate mental health through interviews and testing. They make diagnoses and provide individual or group therapy.
• Counselors and therapists: These professionals provide therapy and support to help you manage symptoms and improve thinking, behavior and relationships.
• Psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners: These advanced practice nurses assess and diagnose conditions and prescribe medication.
• Clinical social workers: These professionals can make a diagnosis and provide therapy. They also help with case management and connecting you to community resources.
• Social workers: These professionals help with case management, discharge planning and connecting you to services that support daily living.
• Certified peer specialists: These trained professionals have lived experience with mental health or substance use conditions. They provide support, mentoring and recovery guidance.

What does a mental health specialist do?

These providers support your emotions and behavior in different ways depending on their training and license. Here’s what they may do:

• Assess mental health concerns. They ask questions, listen to your experiences and may use screening tools to better understand your symptoms.
• Diagnose mental health conditions. Some specialists can determine whether your symptoms meet criteria for a specific condition.
• Provide therapy. They help you understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviors and work toward personal goals.
• Create treatment plans. They develop a care plan based on your symptoms, goals and personal situation.
• Prescribe and monitor medication. Certain specialists can prescribe medication and track how it affects you.
• Connect you to resources. They can help you find community services, support programs and other resources that fit your needs.

When should I see a mental health specialist?

You may want to see a mental health professional when you need care that focuses specifically on your emotions or your behavior. You may need this kind of care when:

• Your provider recommends specialty mental health care as part of your treatment plan.
• You have symptoms like anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns and want focused therapy or an evaluation.
• You have symptoms that affect your daily life, work, school or relationships and they feel hard to manage on your own.

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 (U.S.). This is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Someone is available to talk to you 24/7.

How do you find a mental or behavioral health specialist?

If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a primary care provider. They can explain your options and help you find the right place to get care. You might need a referral, depending on your health plan or local system.

Many people also look online to learn more about specialists in their area. You can check different websites to see their specialties, training and treatment approaches. This can help you find someone who fits your needs and preferences.

What does a mental health professional specialize in?

There are a lot of different specialties available. Here are a few examples:

• Mental health conditions (like depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD)
• Life stages (like children, couples, families, parents)
• Evaluations (like ADHD testing, learning disability assessments, neuropsychological testing)
• Medication management (like prescribing and adjusting medications, managing side effects)
• Recovery (substance use recovery, group therapy, care coordination)

Where do they work?

These providers may work in:

• General hospitals
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Mental health clinics
• Private practices or offices
• Schools

What credentials do mental or behavioral health specialists have?

Credentials depend on the type of professional and the state where they practice. For example, psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree and a state license. Counselors and therapists usually have a master’s degree and a state license, with titles that vary by specialty. Clinical social workers earn a Master of Social Work and a clinical licensure.

Licensing rules and titles can vary. It’s OK to ask a provider about their training and credentials.