Choosing to seek professional mental health help is a positive step forward, but may feel complicated. With options like psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed clinical social workers, it may seem overwhelming to choose the right practitioner. Consider these key questions as you search for the right mental health provider to support your family.
What kind of services are you looking for?
To begin the search for a mental health provider, think about the types of mental health support that would be beneficial to your needs.
Questions to contemplate
Does the provider’s experience and training match the kind of services you need?
Once you gain an understanding of the kind of services you are looking for, the next step includes researching qualified mental health service providers. Narrow your search to practitioners with expertise, like a combination of education, training, and experience, in the sort of issues you or your family are experiencing.
People tend to get confused with the differences between psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, and psychoanalysts. As explained by David Daskovsky, PhD, Senior Psychologist at Yellowbrick Program.
Read about through bios of psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers to get an idea of the different areas of specialization. Visit the Yellowbrick leadership page to get a glimpse of the various roles of mental health experts and professionals, aiming to achieve positive outcomes with emerging young adults.
How will I know this provider is the right fit?
After coming up with a short list of potential providers, spend some time on the phone or in person with each. Ask questions, explain your concerns, and inquire about the progress they have helped others in your situation to make. Listen to their techniques and examples. Then, follow your instinct.
Finding the right fit in a mental health provider is crucial to a positive outcome. Yellowbrick takes the time to make sure each client is comfortable with their clinician. A mental health provider should be someone that you feel comfortable with, can open up to, and develop a trusting relationship. If you feel like the provider is listening to you, has the right amount of experience and success in treating cases like yours, and has an approach with which you feel comfortable, you may feel confident in your decision in pursing mental health care.
Yellowbrick collaborates with adolescents and emerging adults, ages 16-30's, their families and participating professionals toward the development and implementation of a strategic “Life Plan.” An integrative, multi-specialty consultation clarifies strengths, limitations, and risks, and defines motivations, goals and choices.
A mental health condition that’s characterized by intense shifts in mood including both manic and depressive episodes.
People living with Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD, experience episodes of depression and sadness that are debilitating to daily life.
Those living with anxiety disorders experience high levels of anxiety and stress that interfere negatively with daily life.
A mental health issue in which a person’s cognitive function is impaired, resulting in symptoms like experiencing challenges with conducting speech, reading and writing, and behavior.
Mental health disorders that negatively affect a person’s behaviors, thought patterns, and function. People diagnosed with these disorders experience challenges with managing relationships and understanding various situations.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that people can develop as a result of experiencing traumatic situations, characterized by symptoms including flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and more.
A mental health condition that is characterized by specific symptoms of forgetfulness and lack of concentration, which makes it challenging to complete necessary tasks.
Mental health conditions that interfere with a person’s eating habits, thought patterns, and behaviors in negative ways.
A mental health disorder diagnosable with the DSM-5 that is characterized by both obsessions and compulsive behaviors.