Understand the Types of Mental Health Professionals

There are three main types of mental health professionals you may encounter:

Psychologists

Psychologists can assess mental health issues, create treatment plans, and provide psychotherapy or psychological treatments that focus on addressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They perform assessments, prescribe medications, recommend treatments, and can request additional medical tests or exams when necessary.

Social Workers

Social workers provide psychotherapy, helping clients build skills and access personal or community resources to manage their problems and needs.

It's essential to check your benefits plan to understand which type of professional is covered and what type of registration or qualifications are required. If you have a family physician, they may also play a role in coordinating your mental health care.