Have you recently come to realize that you need help working through problems, unhealthy thought patterns, relationship issues, or cognitive differences? We applaud this difficult first step. We know that moving forward can be tricky, and we’re here to help.
When you don’t know who to call, it can be especially difficult to make progress towards healing and wholeness. What kind of mental health care do you need? What kind of provider will be most valuable for your situation? It’s easy to become confused with all the different terminology out there. Let us break it down with clear definitions and practical questions to help you decide whether a psychiatrist or a therapist will be the right fit. You’ve made the impactful decision to get help—we can help you take the next step.
What Does a Therapist Do?
The world of therapy includes Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and psychologists. Each of these careers take a different educational path, but all providers are licensed and regulated. As mental health providers, therapists commonly use evidence-based talk therapy—including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)—as well as other methods to improve a client’s well-being. Therapists are trained to actively challenge unhelpful thought patterns and to guide personal growth for their clients, and therapy sessions often focus on processing emotions, building coping skills, addressing relationship patterns, and working through life transitions. Since these providers are not medical doctors, most therapists are unable to prescribe medications. Talk therapy is best suited for mild-to-moderate symptoms, personal growth, situational stress, grief, and relationship challenges. If you need support in any of these areas, finding a therapist is a good choice.
What Does a Psychiatrist Do?
Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who have at least a decade of medical and mental health training. Because they are board-certified and licensed in their state, psychiatrists can diagnose mental health disorders, order lab tests, and prescribe and manage psychiatric medication.
Many psychiatrists, including Dr. Bosch, also provide evidence-based therapy, using many of the methods practiced by therapists. When you partner with a psychiatrist, treatment plans can be more thorough and wide-ranging, like using talk therapy alongside any necessary medical interventions. Because they have received extensive training in biological and neurological networks (Dr. Bosch, for example, has a PhD in cellular neuroscience), psychiatrists can address complex mental health issues from all sides. There are physical concerns at the root of many mental health conditions, and these physical underpinnings cannot be treated with talk therapy alone.
Certain conditions (including depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and trauma) require treatment that address issues in a holistic manner, addressing the whole person. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Bosch understands that humans are complex creatures whose distinctive biology, psychology, behavior, and lifestyle all play a role in their mental well-being. Seeking care from a psychiatrist will be most appropriate for people who require a diagnostic evaluation or have moderate-to-severe symptoms, medication needs, or complex or treatment-resistant conditions.
Signs You May Benefit from Seeing a Therapist
Therapy is a powerful first-line treatment. Consider meeting with a therapist if:
- You’re navigating a difficult life transition, such as divorce, job loss, or grief
- You want to develop healthier thought patterns or coping strategies
- Your symptoms are mild-to-moderate and do not significantly disrupt daily functioning
- You’re looking for a consistent space to process and grow
- You’ve never tried therapy and are curious whether it might help
Signs You May Benefit from Seeing a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are able to address mental health from both a physical and mental perspective. Partnering with a psychiatrist could be your best option if:
- Your symptoms are significantly interfering with work, relationships, or daily functioning
- You’ve tried therapy alone and haven’t seen improvement
- You’re experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, or PTSD/trauma at a level that feels unmanageable
- You want a professional diagnosis to better understand what you’re experiencing
- You’re curious if medication might help
- Your primary care doctor has flagged a concern and recommended a psychiatric evaluation
When the Answer Is: Both
Sometimes a treatment plan that includes both medical intervention and therapy is the most effective and helpful path forward into healing and wholeness. Because she values the physician-patient relationship, Dr. Bosch diagnoses and treats a myriad of complex mental health conditions. She makes use of talk therapy and medication according to the needs of each patient. This dual approach gives patients the benefit of medical diagnosis and medication alongside ongoing therapeutic support. Seeking this level of comprehensive care is never something to be ashamed of; in truth, combined treatment is often the most statistically effective approach to long-term recovery. The type of coordinated care provided by psychiatrists like Dr. Bosch can offer the best of both worlds for most mental health difficulties and disorders.
Practical Barriers
We know that gaining access to quality mental health care can be difficult. Maybe your insurance doesn’t cover treatment or you can’t get off work for appointments. Maybe there’s no one to watch your children, or you’re uncertain whether you even need professional support. We’re here to help you work through barriers so you can get the care you need.
Dr. Bosch is an out-of-network provider, so insurance doesn’t have to enter the picture unless you want it to. This allows your care to be patient-centered and tailored to what you really need. If you’d like to use insurance to cover some of the costs of psychiatric services, she is happy to provide a detailed receipt, or “superbill,” that can be submitted for reimbursement.
In addition, Dr. Bosch is pleased to offer both in-person and telehealth appointments for greater scheduling flexibility and a higher level of care. Telehealth also allows you to receive care wherever you need to be. If you’re wondering whether you could benefit from treatment, reach out! A quick 15-minute phone consultation can give you clarity and peace of mind moving forward.
The Solution
Your decision to seek help can change your life for the better. It is a positive, proactive step towards healing and true health. As you decide which kind of provider will be best for you, simply remember that:
Therapists are great for talk therapy and skill-building.
Psychiatrists are the right choice for diagnosing mental disorders (including ADHD, depression, and anxiety), prescribing medication, and providing more extensive clinical support.
Dr. Bosch provides a two-pronged approach of medical intervention and talk therapy that is effective for a wide range of mental health conditions. Compassionate, personalized help is available to you, beginning with a simple 15-minute phone consultation. Reach out today to find out more about how Dr. Bosch can help you achieve mental wellness!
Sources:
1. Understanding Psychotherapy and How It Works. American Psychological Association. 2023
2. What is Psychiatry? American Psychiatric Association. 2023
3. Mental Health Medications. National Institute of Mental Health. 2023
4. The efficacy of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in treating depressive and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of direct comparisons. World Psychiatry. 2013. Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds CF 3rd.
5. Medication or Therapy? American Psychological Association. 2017
6. Psychotherapy vs. psychiatry: Differences and more. Medical News Today. 2023
