Who treats psychiatric disorders?

Mental health disorders are complex and need care by a team of licensed experts. Team members may include:

• Child and adolescent psychiatrist. These are medical doctors (MD or DO). They evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental problems in children and teens. They can treat individuals, families, or groups. They can prescribe medicines if needed.

• Psychiatrist. These are medical doctors (MD or DO). They evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental problems in adults and children. They also can treat families and groups. They can prescribe medicines if needed.

• Psychologist. These are mental health providers (PhD or PsyD). They evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental disorders. They treat adults and children as individuals, families, or in groups. They also conduct cognitive, academic, and personality testing.

• Social worker. These bachelors- masters- or doctoral-level providers often work with the child and family. They do case management. They help the family reach the long- and short-term treatment goals made by your child's care team. They can also help you find community resources.

• Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). This is a masters- or doctoral-level provider. They can counsel individuals, families, and groups.

• Advanced practice psychiatric nurse. Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) are masters- or doctoral-level psychiatric nurses. They focus on mental health nursing. They may be clinical specialists (CNS) or nurse practitioners (NP). They can evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders in people of all ages, as well as families and groups. They prescribe medicines if needed.

• Pharmacists. They prepare and give out prescription medicine. They can keep track of new prescriptions and how they may interact with medicines you are already taking. They can also help you understand your medicines.