Important Services Are Offered By Mental Health Professionals In Florida

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:

Prior to selecting a practitioner one should consider why he or she is seeking services of this type. This is because the mental health field employs a broad range of professionals, including counselors, licensed therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers. A professional that may be perfect for one individual may not be the best choice for another.

The majority of mental health professionals treat and diagnose numerous disorders. However, psychiatrist and psychologists require a Master's degree in a related field, while state certification is typically all that is required for therapists and counselors to practice. This is another reason why considering one's disorder is an essential part of choosing a practitioner. For instance, someone who has a serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is best served by a psychiatrist. On the other hand, someone with emotional problems or post-traumatic stress syndrome may discover that the services of a licensed counselor or therapist are 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.

Individuals who have family or marital problems may wish to consider scheduling an appointment with a marriage counselor or family therapist. Such practitioners do not generally offer advice. Instead, they are trained to assist people to work out their conflicts while avoiding angry or resentful emotions that may sidetrack them from their goal.

Services of this type are generally provided on an outpatient basis. In some instances, however, an individual may need intensive treatment and thus require hospitalization. Individuals who fall into this category include those who are suicidal, or people suffering from severe mental health problems 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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