Finding the right care

Depression is a mental health disease which is not your fault. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. No one should ever hesitate to seek help. And fortunately, there are several paths one can take towards getting treatment—and feeling better.

Tell your primary care provider (PCP) or nurse practitioner that you think you might have depression. Have a thorough checkup to rule out any medical condition that could be causing or mimicking your depression symptoms. Once a medical condition is ruled out, depression is commonly diagnosed with a depression quiz. This quiz is known as the PHQ-9. This list of questions helps identify depression and whether the depression is minor, moderate, or severe

The depression treatment recommended for you will be based on many factors. These may include your age, health history and your personal preferences. Your PHQ-9 score will also be a factor. Recommended treatments may range from:

• Reassurance and supportive counseling and instructions to call if depression gets worse
• “Watchful waiting” for a month or more, with the addition of medication or counseling if there’s no improvement
• A prescription for antidepressant medication combined with counseling

Types of counseling

There are different kinds of mental health professionals who are trained to work with people with depression, whatever the severity. These providers have different titles and levels of expertise, but they can all provide the therapy you need to help you reach your goals. The therapy they offer is called psychotherapy. You may have heard it called “talk therapy.” Psychotherapy can help you deal with your feelings and behaviors and suggest ways to cope. Your PCP or nurse practitioner may refer you to a psychotherapist, or you might look for one on your own. In any case, it’s helpful to understand your provider options.

• Psychologists – Psychologists have a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) degree. They are also licensed by the state they practice in. They are trained to diagnose and evaluate a person’s mental health through testing and talking to the patient and to treat them accordingly.
• Counselors, clinicians, and therapists – These professionals have obtained their master’s degree. They might also be licensed in their state as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LCADAC). These providers provide psychotherapy aimed at helping improve your symptoms so you feel better.
• Clinical social workers – Clinical social workers include Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Academy of Certified Social Worker (ACSW). All are trained to assess a person’s mental health and provide psychotherapy using various therapeutic techniques.
• Online therapy (telepsychology) – Some therapists are providing services over the internet. This way, you can talk to a therapist from your computer, in the privacy of your own home. This is a convenient, comfortable, and easily accessible option for many people. Be certain that the therapist you talk to is licensed in your state and complies with all privacy (HIPAA) laws.

Live and Work Well offers online therapy called virtual visits.

The therapists listed above can’t prescribe medication. But they might suggest it as something that could help you. They may encourage you see a doctor to discuss whether antidepressant medications are right for you. If so, schedule an appointment as soon as you can.

If you need medication: psychiatrists

Medications for depression can be prescribed by your primary care physician or nurse practitioner. But there’s another kind of physician that specialized in mental health—a psychiatrist.

Psychiatrists have gone through medical school with additional training in the field of psychiatry. Because they are licensed physicians, they are able to prescribe medications. They have deep knowledge about antidepressants, how they work, dosing, and prescribing what might work for you. Your PCP might refer you to a psychiatrist because of this specialized expertise. Psychiatrists can also provide psychotherapy in addition to prescribing medications.

Some psychiatrists are now practicing telepsychiatry. This is a visit with a psychiatrist that is conducted via computer, much like telepsychology. You can check our virtual visits providers to find a psychiatrist who can see you online.

But how do I find these people?

There are many ways to find therapists and psychiatrists:

• Search our in-network provider database
• Ask your primary care provider or another health provider
• Contact a local university’s psychology department
• Call a community mental health clinic
• Contact your Employee Assistance Program or other help lines to which you have access through your employee benefits
• Visit online resources such as the American Psychological Association (http://locator.apa.org/ Opens in a new window) or the American Psychiatric Association (http://finder.psychiatry.org/ Opens in a new window)
• Ask family or friends for a referral

Find a provider >

Sources:

The MacArthur Initiative on Depression and Primary Care Opens in a new window. Accessed 7/11/2018.

https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Types-of-Mental-Health-Professionals Opens in a new window. Accessed 7/11/2018.

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/online-therapy.aspx Opens in a new window. Accessed 7/11/2018.

www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapy Opens in a new window. Accessed 7/11/2018.

Last updated: May 13, 2019

By: Live and Work Well