When you’re struggling with your mental health, the last thing you need is confusion about whom to see and how to make an appointment. Read on to learn the differences between different types of care, such as inpatient vs. outpatient care; different types of specialists (psychiatrist vs. psychologist, for example) who can also help with counseling, addiction services and mental health support; and insights on how and when to make an appointment.  

1. What is inpatient mental healthcare vs. outpatient mental healthcare?

As a patient, you may hear the terms “inpatient” and “outpatient” used in a number of different areas. For surgery, for example, someone who receives inpatient care stays in the hospital overnight for at least one night, while someone who received outpatient care goes to a healthcare facility to receive treatment and then goes home.

The same is true for mental healthcare.  A person who receives inpatient care temporarily lives at the facility that is treating them. This allows for more intensive care, structure and observation for the patient, who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or recovering from an addiction. Outpatient care, on the other hand, means the patient visits the healthcare facility for treatment and then goes home. There are a number of different types of out-patient care. With partial hospitalization, for example, a patient attends intensive sessions throughout the day and then goes home in the evening. Similarly, during a substance abuse intensive outpatient program, a patient could participate in therapy sessions throughout the day and then go home at night. Outpatient therapy also applies to therapy sessions such as individual and family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, medication monitoring and a number of different testing and diagnostic services.

2. What about telehealth services for mental health?

The ability to meet with a therapist via video on an out-patient basis can be incredibly convenient. It’s also a safe, secure option for those who have health conditions or disabilities that make it challenging to go to an appointment. Telehealth appointments allow you to connect with therapists in other cities, even, which can help people who live in rural areas. If you’re interested in finding a therapist virtually, check to see which in-network providers offer this option.

3. What kinds of therapists are there?

A number of different healthcare providers can help you with mental health services. In fact, for many people, starting with their primary care provider is a good first step. He or she can listen to your symptoms and direct you to an appropriate professional. It can be helpful to know the different categories of providers, and what they focus on. Those include:

• Psychiatrists. These are licensed medical doctors who are able to prescribe medications and provide therapy. They may have particular areas of focus, such as children, older adults or substance use disorder.

• Psychologists. These providers have earned their doctoral degree in an area such as clinical psychology, counseling or education. Those who work with patients are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions in group therapy, individual therapy or both. Individual therapists often prefer different approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, etc.

• Licensed professional counselors. These professionals have earned their master’s or doctoral degree in counseling and are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, behavioral and emotional problems and addictions, and may work with individuals, groups and families, as well as military families and veterans.

• Licensed clinical social workers. LCSWs, as they’re known, have earned a master’s degree in social work. In addition to providing counseling service for mental, emotional and behavioral health issues, social workers can also act as case managers and advocates to help clients get what they need, whether that’s assistance in housing and accessing food or connecting them with other healthcare providers.

4.  How can I get help?

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to the nearest emergency room. There, trained professionals can treat you immediately, and determine whether or not you should have in-patient or out-patient care; they may also be able to connect you with social workers and other mental health professionals.

If you’re not in crisis mode, talk to your primary care doctor about what you’re experiencing, and he or she may be able to make some recommendations. Or, if you have a PPO, you can look up different healthcare providers in your network and find one who is a fit for you. Keep in mind that some therapists and counselors might not be available for immediate counseling; it could take time to get an appointment. If that’s the case, see if there’s a telehealth option that you can book in the short term, or, again, talk to your primary care provider and ask for advice.