Issues with adolescent mental health can impact all areas of life and become debilitating, especially when they are chronic or reoccurring. When professional help is needed, navigating the options for teens’ mental health therapies can often be confusing because of the terminology. A psychiatrist and psychologist are both concerned with diagnosing and treating mental health, but there are differences between the two.
Beyond Healthcare provides holistic mental health care for teens and families in and around Toledo, Ohio. If your adolescent or teen between 11-17 is experiencing mental or behavioral health issues, we can help. We can start by answering your questions about the basics of mental health treatment. Contact us at 833.698.0453 for a free consultation.
What Is a Psychologist?
Most people know that psychiatry and psychology are mental health professions, but the differences between the two are often misunderstood. For both, their expertise is the mind and how it impacts behavior and overall well-being. Psychiatrists and psychologists frequently work together to prevent, diagnose, and treat mental illness and help people stay mentally well to the best of their ability.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who studies, prevents, diagnoses, and treats emotional, developmental, behavioral, and mental health disorders. They assess these disorders’ psychological and physical effects and address chemical imbalances within the brain. Psychiatrists may offer counseling but typically refer patients to psychologists or therapists for in-depth counseling. Psychiatrists can prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications.
A psychologist is not a medical doctor but has a doctoral degree in psychology. Psychologists study and treat mental, social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral issues, including how individuals interact with others and their environments. Services provided by psychologists include:
- Testing and assessment
- Providing diagnoses
- Identifying behavioral and emotional patterns
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
- Developing treatment plans
- Making referrals
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Psychologists help individuals understand and manage acute or chronic mental health issues and challenging life circumstances, including trauma, grief & loss, substance use disorders, and significant changes.
Tips for Finding a Psychologist for Your Teen in Toledo, Ohio
Finding the right psychologist takes patience. Accepting that part of the process can involve meeting with more than one before you find the right fit is critical. Not all psychologists are the same. They have different personalities, treatment approaches, and specializations. As you begin your search, focus on psychologists specializing in treating adolescents whose needs differ from adults. Most psychologists specializing in adolescent treatment also provide family therapy.
As you begin your search, keep an open mind. Credentials and experience are important but do not automatically make someone a good psychologist. Consider the following tips for finding a psychologist for your teen in Toledo, Ohio:
- Get a complete list of in-network providers from your insurance company.
- Utilize Google – Searching “adolescent psychologists near me in Toledo” will provide a great starting point.
- Compare the Google list to your insurance list to help narrow down the options.
- Read the online reviews.
- Talk to friends, family, your doctor, or your teen’s school for referrals.
- Call your local hospital or medical center.
- Search national organizations, such as The American Psychological Association or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- Contact Beyond Healthcare at 833.698.0453.
When you know your teen and family need help but aren’t sure what steps to take, Beyond Healthcare can help guide you. We are an outpatient mental healthcare provider in Toledo, Ohio, providing comprehensive, holistic treatment to youth ages 11-17 and their families.
Find a Psychologist at Beyond Healthcare Today
At Beyond Healthcare, we help teens and families overcome challenges related to:
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Depression and other mood disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Self-harm and suicidal ideation
- Grief and loss
- Family transitions
We provide dual diagnosis treatment through highly personalized care designed to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Because today’s families are busier than ever, we offer flexible scheduling. We can accommodate your family’s needs in our Toledo, Ohio, treatment center, online, in your home, or in your community. Call Beyond Healthcare at 833.698.0453 to learn about our programs and schedule a free consultation.
