Child and Adolescent Behavior Problems - Finding Help - Part 3 - Who's Who

If you're concerned about your child's or adolescent's recent behavior, you may have already approached your child's primary care physician (PCP). But, if you feel your child needs more help than can be offered by the PCP, then the time to seek out a mental health professional is now. There are many types of professionals in the mental health field, with a wide variety of expertise. There is no one-type-fits-all when looking for mental health care, and you may find that after your child begins therapy with a practitioner that you feel that you should switch.

That does happen, and sometimes changing therapists will provide an improved outcome. Sometimes change is necessary. Just be aware that therapy is hard and therapy is difficult and therapy sometimes hurts and brings up unpleasant memories or thoughts or feelings-and when that happens, it is not the time to switch therapists.

Just remember that.

Okay, now who's who and what do all the letters mean?

A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a fully-trained and licensed medical doctor (M.D.) or osteopathic physician (D.O.) who has been specially trained in psychiatry and who has at least two additional years of advanced training dealing with children, adolescents, and families beyond medical school and general psychiatric training. You'll want a psychiatrist who is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in child and adolescent psychiatry. And I'm sure you already know that psychiatrists-because they are licensed physicians-are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe and monitor medications.

Psychologists specialize in psychotherapy-the "talk therapy" component of treatment. Psychologists work to understand and improve the patient's functioning at home, at school, at play, at work, and in society. Some psychologists hold masters' degrees (M.S.), and others have doctoral degrees (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in clinical, educational, counseling, developmental, or research psychology. Psychologists are licensed in all states, and those with doctoral degrees are referred to as "Doctor". Be reminded, however, that psychologists are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe nor properly monitor medications. There are different types of psychologists, including clinical psychologists (who offer counseling and psychotherapy and possibly psychological testing), educational or school psychologists (who work to identify academic strengths and weaknesses and specific learning disorders or developmental learning problems), neuropsychologists (who diagnosis mental and behavioral problems that are related to brain injuries), and still other types of psychologists who on focus on different areas.

If your child or adolescent has been demonstrating signs of emotional or behavioral instability in school, you may have already met with the school's social worker. A social worker holds either a bachelor's degree (B.A., B.S., or B.S.W.) or a master's degree (M.S. or M.S.W.). In most states, a social worker can take an examination to be licensed as a clinical social worker. While there are many different types of social workers, only a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a master's degree in social work can provide clinical services as an independent practitioner. Social workers provide many different forms of treatment, and some are excellent at what they do.

A certified professional counselor (CPC) or a licensed professional counselor (LPC) holds a master's degree and state licensure or certification at the highest level of independent practice in the state where they practice. Many work in offices with other mental health practitioners, and some have solo practices.

Marriage and family therapists are identified as either MFT or MFCC (marriage, family and child counselor) and hold a master's degree. These therapists provide assistance to troubled children and families and to individuals coping with troubled relationships.

The above material was taken from Deborah Clark Ebel's book, The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis.