Who can prescribe anxiety medication?
Getting access to anxiety medication can be anxiety-inducing. Here's who to see if you need help managing your symptoms.
Key takeaways
Should I see a psychiatrist or my primary care doctor? Or maybe a therapist? Whether you're already taking anxiety medication or think you might need it, you may be curious about where to look for support. There are several types of mental health care providers, and not all specialize in treating anxiety with medication. While choosing the best fit for your needs can sometimes feel overwhelming, we can help.
Here’s a guide to help you navigate the different mental health professions, where to start if you think you may need anxiety medication and some tips for choosing the right provider to treat anxiety.
Which doctors can prescribe anxiety medications?
Psychiatrists
Education
Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in mental health. They’ve been through medical school and have undergone four or more years of additional training in psychiatry. They may be Medical Doctors (MD’s) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Some psychiatrists seek additional training or become board-certified in particular specialties like: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, and Geriatric Psychiatry.
Treatment
Psychiatrists can evaluate your symptoms, diagnose mental health conditions, and prescribe medication. Some also provide talk therapy as part of treatment. If you think you may be experiencing a mental health condition, like anxiety, seeing a psychiatrist is a great option. Unlike primary care doctors or nurse practitioners, they’re highly specialized in diagnosing complex mental health conditions and providing medication management.
If you're thinking about taking medications as part of your treatment plan, check out: How to Get Anxiety Medication. You can also read more about how Talkiatry treats anxiety.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners
Education
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are medical professionals who specialize in mental health. Every nurse practitioner attends nursing school as well as a master’s program, and psychiatric nurse practitioners choose to specialize in psychiatry.
Treatment
Like psychiatrists, nurse practitioners can assess your symptoms, diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and sometimes conduct talk therapy. Depending on the laws where they work, they might need a physician’s supervision.
The main difference between a psychiatrist and a nurse practitioner is their education and training.
Primary care doctors
Education
Primary care doctors are generalists who treat a wide range of common symptoms. Like psychiatrists, they’ve been to medical school and completed additional training (typically in family medicine or internal medicine), but they often refer more complicated cases to psychiatrists.
Treatment
Primary care doctors can evaluate symptoms, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medication like any other doctor. Their general training means they can recognize anxiety and treat it, but if your situation is complex or outside of their expertise, they might refer you to a psychiatrist. (Here's more on getting a referral.)
Many people turn to their primary care doctors for anxiety medication because they’re accessible. But because these doctors don’t have as much mental health training as psychiatrists, they may not be aware of all the treatment options available to you.
Which doctors can offer talk therapy but can’t prescribe anxiety medication?
Psychologists
Education
Practicing clinical psychologists have doctoral degrees but are not medical doctors. They will typically have a PhD in a field of psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD). Some may have an EdS, but it’s less common.
Treatment
Psychologists can diagnose conditions and provide treatment through talk therapy but they cannot prescribe medications.
Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
Education
Clinical social workers have completed a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in social work, completed three years of relevant clinical work in psychiatry and passed a clinical exam.
Treatment
Clinical social workers can diagnose conditions and provide different types of talk therapy, but they do not prescribe medications.
Curious about any other roles we didn’t mention here? You can get more details in our guide to the different types of mental health providers.
How do I decide who to see?
Making a mental health care appointment is always a personal decision, so what’s right for someone else may not be right for you. Consider your specific situation and goals to help guide your decision.
Here are some questions to help guide your decision:
1. What type of treatment are you looking for?
If you’re considering talk therapy, a psychologist, LSCW or other type of therapist is a good starting point. If think you might need medication or aren’t sure, a psychiatrist can evaluate whether or not medication is a good fit for you. Oftentimes, medication is prescribed in addition to talk therapy.
2. Have you been on anxiety medication before?
If you know what anxiety medication works for you and have a good relationship with your primary care doctor, that may be a good option, depending on your doctor’s availability. If you haven’t had success with medication in the past or are thinking of starting a new treatment, a psychiatrist can help you explore all your treatment options.
3. How severe are your symptoms?
If you’re dealing with occasional bouts of anxiety, you might feel like it’s enough to try talk therapy as an initial form of treatment so a psychologist or LSCW may be a good place to start. If your symptoms become bothersome and interfere with your daily life, or you feel that talk therapy isn’t giving you the results you’re looking for, it’s best to see a psychiatrist.
4. How urgently do you need an appointment?
Depending on where you live, getting an appointment with your primary care doctor might be your quickest option. Virtual mental health treatment is another option to consider if you want to avoid the long waits that can sometimes be associated with in-person providers. Virtual mental health treatment is as effective as in-person care, though it won’t be appropriate for all conditions. If you’re curious about accessing virtual psychiatry, Talkiatry can help.
If you feel like you are an immediate danger to yourself or others: dial 911, head to the emergency room or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
5. Do you have insurance?
Not all mental health professionals take insurance. Depending on your needs, you could start by calling your insurance company. They can give you a list of in-network mental health providers. If you’re looking for an in-network psychiatrist, Talkiatry can help. Talkiatry has over 300 psychiatrists and all of them take insurance.
Do I have to see a doctor in person?
You don’t. For many of the most common conditions, like anxiety, virtual psychiatry (also called telehealth) is a great option for accessible care. Telepsychiatry is incredibly effective for certain cases and conditions.
I don’t have a diagnosis yet, how do I tell my doctor I think I have anxiety?
Even after you find the right clinician and schedule an appointment, you might still feel a little unsure of what will happen in the session. Asking for help isn’t always easy, especially with a concern as personal as anxiety. But it’s important to keep in mind that your clinician isn’t there to judge you or tell you whether you’re anxious enough to deserve medication.
“Your psychiatrist already believes you deserve care,” says Dr. Georgia Gaveras, triple-board-certified psychiatrist and co-founder of Talkiatry. “And their main goal is figuring out how best to help you.” (And if it doesn’t seem like they believe those things? Then it’s time to find a new doctor.)
So, the best way to communicate with your doctor is clearly, openly, and honestly. Looking for more specific advice? Check out our guide to what to expect at your first mental health appointment.
What will happen after my appointment?
You may not have thought this far ahead yet (and that’s okay!), but you should know what to expect after your appointment. Unlike a simple infection or flu, you can’t fix anxiety with a single prescription or therapy session. You’ll need to work with your doctor over time to track your symptoms and manage your medications or other treatment as you progress.
That might sound like a lot of work, but it’ll benefit you in the long run. Eventually, you’ll build a relationship with a doctor who knows you, your history, and your preferences.
About Talkiatry
Talkiatry is a national psychiatry practice that provides in-network, virtual care. Co-founded by a patient and a triple-board-certified psychiatrist, Talkiatry has over 300 doctors, 60 insurance partners, and first visits available in days. We treat patients with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and more. Get started with a short online assessment.
The information in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and should never be substituted for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
