Look Inside Young Adult Road Map
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Who’s Who in Health Care<br />
Medical, behavioral, and developmental health specialists<br />
who may evaluate you include:<br />
MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES who can prescribe<br />
medications:<br />
Primary Care Physician: A medical doctor who handles<br />
routine checkups and general medical needs. Note: Some<br />
people go to a Licensed Nurse Practitioner (see below) for this purpose.<br />
Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who is trained to evaluate and treat you, primarily by<br />
prescribing medications. A psychiatrist has the most formal training in behavioral health,<br />
but may spend the least amount of time with you during treatment.<br />
Behavioral/Developmental Pediatrician: Combines physical, psychological, and<br />
developmental evaluations, as well as treatment.<br />
Neurologist: Medical doctor who specializes in how the brain functions physically and<br />
chemically.<br />
Licensed Nurse Practitioner: Assists in or performs clinical evaluations, designs<br />
treatment plans, and may provide counseling, medication management, and/or other<br />
treatment. May work in a primary care practice. A Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner<br />
does mental health management. When you go to a walk-in clinic in a pharmacy, you<br />
usually see a Licensed Nurse Practitioner.<br />
FAQs<br />
The National Institute for Mental<br />
Health offers a useful booklet on<br />
behavioral health. Go to http://nimh.<br />
nih.gov/health/publications/index.shtml<br />
It describes the treatments and<br />
medications most often used, and it<br />
answers frequently asked questions.<br />
You can order free booklets in English<br />
or Spanish.<br />
BEHAVIORAL (MENTAL) HEALTH PROVIDERS who may evaluate or treat, but do NOT<br />
prescribe medications:<br />
Clinical Psychologist: Licensed by the state to evaluate your behavioral health. May also<br />
provide psychotherapy, a form of counseling that is commonly known as “talk therapy,”<br />
but may include other kinds of one-on-one or group treatment.<br />
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Licensed by the state to provide one-on-one or group<br />
therapy.<br />
Counseling and Evaluation Providers: Some providers (including those listed above)<br />
may have other titles, such as Licensed Psychological Examiner, Licensed Marriage and<br />
Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, or Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor.<br />
Feel free to ask questions about the therapist’s training. His or her license should be<br />
posted somewhere in the building.<br />
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