How therapy and psychiatry work together
Key takeaways
Mental health care should be holistic, and therapy can be a crucial part of that for a lot of patients. It’s why we have therapists on staff to work with patients who are also seeing one of our psychiatrists. (While we don’t offer therapy as a standalone service, we wholly support patients finding care that works for them.)
Additionally, our psychiatrists can and do provide supportive therapy during visits. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled for 30 minutes or more to give patients and clinicians time to talk.
If you’re currently seeing one of our psychiatrists and are interested in seeing if we have therapists available in your state, talk to your clinician about your options. If you’re not a patient yet, the first step is taking a short assessment and booking your first appointment with one of our psychiatrists. It just takes 10 minutes.
If you’re curious to learn more about how therapy and psychiatry can work together, read on.
What is therapy
Therapy, also called psychotherapy, is a type of treatment provided by a licensed therapist, like a psychologist, social worker, or counselor. Through conversation, a patient and therapist work together to explore the patient’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The goal is to develop coping strategies, work through emotions, and improve emotional well-being. There are also many different types of therapy, some developed to treat specific conditions, so depending on why you’re seeking care. Your clinician can help you understand your options and find the right one for you.
What is psychiatry
Psychiatry is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (usually a DO or MD) who can prescribe medication and who also do talk therapy. While they can provide other therapeutic interventions as well, they often work in conjunction with therapists to provide holistic care.
How therapy and psychiatry work together
Therapy and psychiatry complement each other by addressing both the psychological and biological aspects of mental health. Therapy helps work through underlying issues that can contribute to symptoms, while medication can reduce the symptoms caused by underlying issues. Medication can also improve functional impairment and cognition, which can help patients better practice therapeutic techniques. This integrated approach can lead to more effective treatment.
The benefits of collaboration
When therapists and psychiatrists work together, they can share information, communicate better, and develop a cohesive treatment plan that’s tailored to a patient’s needs. In addition to increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome, seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist can lead to better education and understanding, so a patient feels empowered to make informed choices about their care.
