Treatment for Mental Health
There are a variety of treatments for mental health, so it can be helpful to be informed on what options exist. It is essential that you work with a mental health professional that you trust to determine what treatment route(s) may be best for you.
Below are some common types of treatment and care providers for mental health, which are highlighted for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace guidance from a mental health professional.
If you're curious about ways to pay for mental health treatment, check out our Mental Health & Insurance section:
Types of Treatment
| Treatment Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Psychotherapy ("talk therapy") | Environment: Confidential office setting or online
Purpose: Collaborative treatment between an individual and a psychologist to explore and understand thoughts and behaviors while gaining coping skills through various types of treatment. |
| Hospitalization | Environment: Hospital or institution Purpose: close monitoring to accurately diagnose patient, determine treatment, and adjust medications if illness worsened. |
| Peer Support Services | Environment: communities often have nonprofits or organizations where you can gather with others experiencing similar diagnoses or mental health issues. Purpose: Often in tandem with treatment, this can motivate individuals to fuel recovery and find community. |
| Medication | After a diagnosis from a mental health professional, some patients may be prescribed medication that is necessary for their mental health needs. Examples of medication: antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, mood stabilizers, sedatives, and stimulants |
Source: NAMI.org
Types of Care Providers
There are different mental health care providers that offer a range of services. To begin, it is often helpful to first consult your primary care provider who may refer you to local services that can also accept your health insurance.
If you have health insurance but you do not currently have a primary care physician, you can use your insurer’s website to locate providers with the mental health specialties you are seeking. After seeking advice from a medical professional, you can further seek the types of mental health professionals who can best serve your needs.
Purpose: Assessment and/or Therapy
| Provider Title | About |
|---|---|
| Psychologists |
|
| Clinical Social Workers |
|
Learn more about Mental Health Professionals.
Purpose: Prescribing and/or Monitoring Medication
| Provider Title | About |
|---|---|
| Psychiatrists |
|
| Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse Practitioners |
|
| Primary Care Physicians |
|
| Family Nurse Practitioners |
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| Psychiatric Pharmacists |
|
Purpose: Other Miscellaneous
| Provider Title | About |
|---|---|
|
|
Source: NAMI.org
Online assessment tools
Before seeking professional mental health guidance or treatment you may consider online self-assessment tools. However, it is imperative to avoid self-diagnoses, as online assessment tools can be ineffective or non-definitive. In conjunction with the advice of a health professional, you can check out some examples of online assessment tools that can be used to get you started in the process of evaluating your mental health:
- Mental Health America: Mental Health Online Screening
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Resources
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Self-Assessment Tools
- Myhealth.va.gov (Veteran): Self-screening Tools (PTSD, Depression, Alcohol Use, etc.)
- MindWise Innovations (Military): Mental Health Screening (Specific or Wide-Range)
It is important to reiterate that these online tools do not, and should not, replace professional consultation by a mental health professional. They merely function as a starting point at which you can begin reflecting on your mental health.
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