Mental Health Professionals In Florida Provide Essential Services To Patients

By Marla Mills


Mental health professionals in Florida provide valuable services to certain individuals. People who have never needed the services of such a practitioner before may have questions about how best to locate a professional who suits their individual needs. Because the selection process overwhelms certain individuals, the following steps should be taken by those who are searching for such a doctor for the first time:

Before choosing a professional, one should take into consideration the reason for which he or she is seeking treatment. This is because there is a vast array of professionals who work in this field, such as psychiatrists, clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and licensed therapists. Therefore, a practitioner whose services may be ideal for one patient may not be the most appropriate choice for someone else.

All mental health practitioners diagnose and treat various conditions. However, psychologists and psychiatrists must have a Master's degree in a related discipline, while counselors or therapists may simply hold state certification. This is another reason why it is important to consider the type of disorder for which one is seeking help. For example, someone with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder will be best served by a psychiatrist, while a person with posttraumatic stress syndrome or emotional problems may find the services of a therapist or licensed counselor adequate.

Even though numerous professionals in the field of mental health offer treatment for a broad range of disorders, in certain cases the services of a specialist are required. For example, those with obsessive-compulsive disorder may find that a behavioral therapist offers the best help. Someone who is suffering from phantom pain that cannot be diagnosed by a medical doctor may need the help of a psychologist. Those with a background of abuse may discover that counseling provided by a therapist is the best option.

A marriage therapist or family counselor is the best choice for those with domestic or marital problems. Professionals of this type do not usually give advice. Instead, they assist their patients to talk about their problems without becoming overly emotional, angry, or resentful, and thus sabotaging their own treatment.

In the majority of instances, outpatient treatment is offered to patients. There are times, however, when an individual may require hospitalization for the purpose of receiving more advanced treatment. This is sometimes necessary for those who have threatened suicide, or who have severe conditions such as schizophrenia.

Deciding whether medication, counseling, or both are necessary is also important. This is because not all professionals have a license to prescribe drugs. For this reason, it is typically a good idea for one to first talk things over with a family doctor to receive guidance concerning the kind of care that is required.

Speaking to a person at one's insurance company is a wise course of action as well, as this way an individual can find out about co-pays and which types of treatments are covered under the policy. It is usually possible to obtain a list of in network professionals from the insurance company, which in turn will ensure that the patient's out-of-pocket costs will be minimal. A person's treatment may be covered by Medicaid or Medicare in certain cases. Anyone who feels he or she is suffering from an emotional or mental disorder should pursue treatment from mental health professionals in Florida.




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