Mental health care professionals are highly trained, licensed individuals who help people recover from a mental health disorder or illness. Many have a master’s degree or higher in the art of clinical psychology or psychiatry. Others go through rigorous training and licensing tests to earn the credentials they need to offer quality and up-to-date treatment.
When people become mental health care professionals, they do so because they want people to heal and recover from the things that have harmed them. They are most commonly found in mental health care facilities, treatment centers dedicated to treating mental health disorders and illnesses. They also provide education and resources about mental health to those in need.
One such place is Acera Health, which employs such mental health care professionals. When a client comes through our doors, great care is taken to find the right team to help someone heal. To learn how the right professional is found for each client, you must first understand what sort of mental health care professionals you may encounter.
Types of Mental Health Care Professionals
As our understanding of mental health grows, so does the number of specialists that can treat it. For the most part, people will run into either one or more of these types of mental health care professionals:
Certified Peer Specialists: These are trained individuals who have experienced life with a mental health disorder. They assist others with their recovery by helping them set realistic goals, providing support, and giving valuable mentorship and advice.
Social Workers: These are people that manage the cases of those with a mental health disorder or illness. They research and find mental health resources for their clients to make it easier for them to find the help they need. Social workers also help clients post-treatment by finding services they need to support a more healthy way of life. They also advocate for the rights of their clients and make sure that they are being treated with respect and compassion.
Psychologist: This is a person with a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited higher education program. They are trained to provide therapy for individuals and groups and can diagnose someone with a mental health disorder or illness. Psychologists often provide psychotherapy, but can also provide other types of treatment provided they are trained and certified to do so.
Licensed Counselors: These are people who have master’s degrees in counseling, psychology, or any related field. They also have several years of clinical work experience. A counselor is trained to diagnose mental health disorders and illnesses and provide group or individual counseling. Counseling can be specific, such as for those struggling with addiction, helping people manage their medication, and teaching healthy coping skills. Counselors are often found in public schools, churches, and universities.
Specialized therapists: These are similar to a psychologist in terms of accreditation and licensing but provide specialized types of therapies. This can be specific types of therapy, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy (TMS), or even something like art therapy.
Psychiatrists: These are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders and illnesses. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication and order tests, such as brain scans. They take care of your physical brain and nervous system.
Usually, a person has a team made up of one or more of these professionals that work together to find a treatment plan right for them. They may also work with your regular doctor and other existing specialists to bring you the best care possible.
Finding the Right Fit for You
The best way to find the right mental health care professional is to simply get to know someone. Acera Health begins its treatment process by talking with a potential client. This way, they can pair someone with treatment providers that can fit their needs. If someone needs a more gentle approach with them, they will choose professionals that can be just that.
It can take trial and error to find the right fit, so your feelings matter greatly. Sometimes you may need to try several mental health care professionals to find one that is the right fit for you.
What does it mean to find the right mental health care professional? It means finding someone that understands, encourages, and forms a trusting connection with you. For example, it’s normal for people to want a mental health care professional in the same age group as they are. This is because those in the same age group understand the unique problems you are facing.
Fostering a sense of trust and understanding is vital for the healing process. Don’t feel like you need to settle on one person immediately. It’s okay to look around and try out other treatment providers.
Where to Find a Mental Health Care Professional
You can find most mental health care professionals working in mental health care treatment facilities. Giving one a call can point you in the right direction should you need help. You can also search online to find licensed mental health care professionals in your area and ways to contact their practices.
However, you can also find them in other places, such as schools, churches, and hospitals. Many colleges with a clinical psychology program often have therapy and counseling as part of the price of tuition. Hospitals and local family practices often have a psychiatrist or other mental health care professionals that work there. They can refer you to specialized mental health care facilities should you need them.
Remember, if you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health, it’s time to call for help.
Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do when you have a mental health disorder. This is why it is important to work with a mental health care professional, who can help you find the right treatment you need. But how do you know which professional is best for you? Here at Acera Health in Costa Mesa, California, we employ compassionate, professional individuals who dedicate their lives to helping others heal. We work hard to find just the right professional and treatment provider for each of our clients. Here, you are not a number – you are an individual who needs and deserves tailored care. If you or someone you love is struggling, call (949) 647-4090 today.
Mickey Webb
Mickey has dedicated nearly 10 years of marketing for various industries with his superior networking, negotiation, and leadership skills. He has over 5 years of management experience including corporate with AT&T. In 2019, he began serving the healthcare industry. He is devoted to establishing promotion and advertising efforts for Acera, to help families and individuals better understand the services we provide. He has strong interpersonal skills, and helps Acera build brand awareness within the behavioral health field. Mickey has helped many individuals find placement in treatment, and will go to any length to make sure they receive the care they deserve.
