Psychiatry is a branch of medicine pertaining to diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral health disorders. It also can help prevent the development of these conditions. 

In order to practice psychiatry, a person must be a physician (an M.D. or D.O) with a license to practice medicine and surgery and who has completed four years of psychiatry residency. This qualifies them to diagnose and treat the mental and physical aspects of psychological and neurological conditions and prescribe medications.  In addition to the rigorous four-part United States Medical Licence Examinations (USMLE) board examinations, there are additional specialty and subspecialty board examinations a psychiatrist must pass in order to be considered a “Board Certified” Psychiatrist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Approximately half of all psychiatrists maintain a private practice where they treat their patients. While most appointments take place in person, recent developments have increased the popularity of telehealth sessions that take place on camera over the internet or via telephone. Psychiatrists may also work in group settings, including general or psychiatric hospitals, clinics, community groups, nursing homes, military locations, and prisons. Many psychiatrists work in facilities that treat addiction to drugs and alcohol, including residential and outpatient locations.

Psychiatrists often prescribe medications as part of their treatment. Common ones include:

• Antidepressants: used for depression, anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions
• Mood stabilizers: used for bipolar disorder
• Sedatives and anxiolytics: used for panic disorders, anxiety, and insomnia
• Antipsychotic medications: used for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations

Psychiatrists can provide psychotherapy — also known as talk therapy — along with prescribing medications, but some people seek two different professionals for these services. Some people receive individual or group therapy from a licensed counselor or other professionals who cannot prescribe medications. They receive talk therapy from them while seeing a psychiatrist for any needed medications. The psychiatrist can confirm a diagnosis, prescribe a med, monitor how the patient tolerates it, and make changes as needed. 

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

Many benefits come from participating in psychiatry sessions. Progress can be made by focusing on understanding events that happened in the past and how they may influence a person’s current station in life. Psychiatry sessions can help a person put events going as far back as their childhood into perspective and stop damaging patterns that developed because of them. Patients can also learn to identify current behaviors and thought patterns that need changing. Problem-solving skills learned in therapy can last long after the end of the sessions, helping a person live a more positive life and achieve their goals. 

Some people seek short-term sessions with a psychiatrist and complete their goals within a few weeks, while others benefit from attending therapy for longer periods of time. Even after a person’s therapy sessions end, they may want to check in for periodic appointments to address a situation-specific problem that develops down the line. 

Many psychiatrists complete specialized training that allows them to become certified in specific fields of psychiatry. These include the fields of addiction, children and adolescents, geriatrics, neuropsychiatry and pain management.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

A person who has never seen a psychiatrist before may be unsure of what constitutes a reason to begin therapy with one. Common reasons include:

• Feelings of anxiety
• Having panic attacks
• Depression
• Addiction to drugs or alcohol
• Experiencing trauma
• Difficulty controlling emotions
• Needing help managing symptoms of conditions such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Struggling to deal with life on a daily basis
• Experiencing physical symptoms, sleeping too much, or insomnia which are not caused by medical issues
• Having suicidal thoughts

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

People commonly wonder what the difference is between psychiatry and psychotherapy. Psychiatry can only be practiced by individuals who are medical doctors who specialize in the field of psychiatry. They can provide talk therapy as well as write prescriptions for any needed medications. Psychology is practiced by individuals who may have a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.), a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.  Another term often applied is "psychotherapist" which may include psychologists but more commonly refers to a master’s of arts (M.A.) degree in clinical psychology or professional counseling (L.P.C.) or social work (L.C.S.W.).  While these clinicians have undergone intensive training and supervision in order to obtain a clinical license, they do not have the medical training and cannot prescribe any medications. The two often work in conjunction, with psychologists and psychotherapists providing the talk therapy and referring their patients to psychiatrists when they need prescription medications as part of their treatment.

Psychotherapy is the same thing as talk therapy, which involves discussing mental health concerns with a licensed counselor, including both psychiatrists and psychologists. Psychotherapy helps people identify their emotions, life challenges, and any mental illnesses they have. Progress is made in the treatment of them over the course of several sessions in which the therapist and patient talk about the issues and approaches to manage them. Psychotherapy helps patients live up to their full potential, address the past, and be better equipped to handle future challenges. 

Whether or not to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist depends on a person’s needs and treatment goals. Both professions can provide psychotherapy. Some people who know they also will need to be prescribed medications and have them monitored prefer to see a psychiatrist in order to get both services from one person. 

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

While every insurance plan is different, your insurance company may offer coverage for psychiatric treatment.

If you are considering psychiatry as part of your treatment plan, our caring staff will help you determine what your options are for insurance or other payment plans.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.