Clients often share with me how confusing they find it to access mental health support. They found their way to my office eventually, but the path there was long and bumpy. Does this sound familiar? You are not alone.
So what DO you do when you need support? If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (or 911 for immediate assistance). If it’s not an emergency, a good first step is to see a GP, such as a family practitioner or doctor at a walk-in centre. They will likely assess you and give you suggestions for the next steps. Here in Barrie (and across Ontario, it seems), family doctors are hard to come by. If you are not sure where to go and/or you need help finding a family doctor, call Health Care Connect for assistance.
Searching for information online often adds to the confusion. You may see a bevy of different clinical titles pop up, along with an overwhelming amount of psycho-jargon. The landscape of mental health services can indeed seem like a complex maze, but knowing what resources exist and how to access them can make your path forward much smoother. Hopefully, this guide will help to demystify the process and provide you with practical information to make informed decisions about your care.
Understanding Different Mental Health Professionals
One of the most confusing aspects of seeking mental health support is understanding the differences between various types of professionals. Each has distinct training and qualifications, making them suited to address different aspects of mental health, but there is some overlap between the professions as well.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. After completing medical school, they undergo specialized training in psychiatry. Their medical background allows them to diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and monitor medications, and understand how mental health interacts with physical health. While some psychiatrists provide therapy, many focus primarily on medication management and work collaboratively with other mental health professionals who provide ongoing therapeutic support.
In Ontario, it can be challenging to access a Psychiatrist without a significant wait time. In most cases, psychiatric services are covered by OHIP, and you usually need a referral from a GP first. A GP can also help by assessing and prescribing medications, often before or in replacement of specialised psychiatric care.
Psychologists have a Ph.D. in psychology and specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues. Unlike Psychiatrists, psychologists cannot prescribe medication (with some exceptions outside of Ontario). They have extensive knowledge of human behavior, developmental processes, and evidence-based treatment methods. Psychologists can conduct psychological testing to evaluate cognitive functioning, personality traits, and other psychological factors that may contribute to mental health concerns. Most psychologists will specialize in specific areas.
Psychotherapists have a Masters Degree in psychology or related fields. Like myself, they are trained to provide evidence-based treatment methods for a variety of mental health conditions. Usually, they work with clients to develop skills and strategies to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that impact mental health and well-being. That said, there are a variety of therapeutic modalities used to support the diverse issues that bring people to counselling.
It’s helpful (but not mandatory) to understand the “why” you are seeking counselling so that you can look for a therapist who is a good fit. Like a psychologist, most psychotherapists will specialize in certain areas. All of this can be confusing, so in a future post, I will write more about the different types of therapy.
Social Workers with clinical training (often holding an MSW – Master of Social Work degree) can also provide therapy and counselling while considering environmental and social factors affecting a client’s well-being. They often take a holistic approach that addresses not only psychological needs but also practical concerns like access to resources, community support, and advocacy.
Mental Health Nurses are registered nurses with specialized training in mental health care. They work in various settings, from hospitals to community clinics, providing assessment, administering medications, and offering supportive care. Many mental health nurses also have training in specific therapeutic approaches and can provide valuable support for individuals managing chronic mental health conditions.
There are so many other valuable mental health professionals not listed above, but I hope this gives you a good start. If you would like more information on mental health care in Barrie and across Ontario, you can visit CAMH and Ontario.ca.
Do you want to connect? Let’s get in touch.