Mental health professional

Mental health professional is a health care practitioner or community services provider who offers services for the purpose of improving an individual's mental health or to treat mental disorders. This broad category was developed as a name for community personnel who worked in the new community mental health agencies begun in the 1970s to assist individuals moving from state hospitals, to prevent admissions, and to provide support in homes, jobs, education, and community. These individuals were the forefront brigade to re-approach mental health and the mental disorders with a new attitude. This was the beginning of a new diagnostic discipline.

Types of Mental Health Professionals

Mental health professionals exist to improve the mental health of individuals, couples, families and the community-at-large. Because mental health covers a wide range of elements, the scope of practice greatly varies among professionals. Some of the types of mental health professionals include Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychiatric Nurses, Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed additional training to become specialists in mental health. They can prescribe medication, and they spend much of their time with patients on medication management as a course of treatment.

Psychologists

Psychologists are professionals who focus on the mind and the behavior. They are trained to perform psychotherapy and conduct research into human behavior.

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists may come from a variety of different training programs and backgrounds. They focus on helping individuals, couples, and families address long-standing issues that are interfering with their mental health.

Psychiatric Nurses

Psychiatric Nurses are registered nurses who specialize in mental health. They provide care and support to people with mental health issues.

Social Workers

Social Workers provide a wide range of services at the federal, state, and local levels. They help with a wide range of situations, such as adopting a child or being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists help individuals improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling.

Education and Training

The education and training of mental health professionals varies between the types of professionals and countries. In most developed countries, entry-level requirements are a Bachelor's degree for social workers and occupational therapists, and a Master's degree for psychologists and counselors. Psychiatrists require a Medical degree.

See Also

• Mental health
• Mental disorders
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Social work
• Occupational therapy