APRNs are licensed registered nurses and have a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. Some APRNs specialize in psychiatry or mental health and can offer evaluations and psychotherapy for mental health issues. Some APRNs can prescribe medications and others cannot. There are a variety of types of APRNs, including clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNPs). While some APRNs may go by these more specific titles, others only use APRN as a title.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illnesses. They receive certification through medical school and residency training. Psychiatrists can evaluate a person for a mental illness, provide different types of treatments (including psychotherapy), and prescribe medications. Child and adolescent psychiatrists receive additional training to focus on evaluating and treating children. If you are looking for a child and adolescent psychiatrist, make sure they are “board eligible” or “board certified” as a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

A developmental behavioral pediatrician is a pediatrician who has additional training in all aspects of child development. They can evaluate your child’s motor, social, behavioral, language, and intellectual development, as well as their physical health. They can help build children’s coping skills and help children adjust to different stages of development.

LMHCs are individuals who provide counseling. Many are social workers or psychotherapists with a master’s degree. They offer counseling for a variety of mental health issues, and some focus on particular issues, such as anxiety, sexual or physical abuse, or depression.

Neurologists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body).

Neuropsychologists are psychologists who have additional training in neuropsychology. They focus on evaluating and treating weaknesses of brain functioning.

Psychologists are trained in psychology, which is the scientific study of the mind and human behavior. Psychologists have a doctoral degree: a PsyD, PhD, or EdD. The type of degree they have depends on the type of doctoral program they completed and the amount of time they focused on clinical practice (treating patients) versus research. They can also be certified by professional organizations. They can evaluate a child for a mental illness and provide psychotherapy and trainings. Psychologists cannot prescribe medications.

Psychotherapists (also called therapists) provide psychotherapy. They usually have a master’s or doctoral degree and become certified to practice psychotherapy by taking an exam. Psychotherapists include APRNs, LMHCs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Psychotherapists can evaluate and treat mental health issues by working with individuals, families, or groups. They sometimes focus on specific issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, grief, or family conflicts. Psychotherapists cannot prescribe medications.

Social workers provide treatment for mental health issues and social problems. Most have a master’s degree (MSW). Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSWs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are social workers who receive a license from the state to provide mental health counseling or psychotherapy. While LICSWs can provide services independently, LCSWs provide services under the supervision of a LICSW. Both provide psychotherapy to individuals, families, or groups. Some social workers provide services within hospitals, the community, or the school system. Social workers sometimes work through government agencies, such as the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Social workers cannot prescribe medications.

Speech-language pathologists are also known as speech therapists. They are educated in the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders. They hold at least a master's degree and state certification/ licensure in the field, as well as a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Hearing-Association. They can evaluate your child’s speech and language development and treat any communication problems they may have. They can also evaluate your child’s educational setting to ensure that your child can develop language skills. Speech assistants, who have typically earned a two-year associate’s or four-year bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology, may assist speech- language pathologists. Learn more about school mental health specialists (LINK TO SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS).

In addition to mental health specialists, there are many other health professionals who may work with your child. Children with mental illnesses often have other medical problems that require or could benefit from treatment from the following health professionals:

Gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in disorders of the digestive system, such as feeding disorders.

Nutritionist or Dietician

Nutritionists and dieticians plan food and nutrition programs and can advise parents and children on the best foods to eat for optimal nutrition, well-being, and disease prevention. They have varying levels of education, from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral level degrees (PhD). Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS) and Registered Dieticians (RD) have been certified nationally and have met certain educational, experience, and examination requirements.

Occupational Therapist

An occupational therapist helps people improve improve their ability to perform day-to-day tasks in their daily living and working environments. Their treatment techniques promote health, prevent injury or disability, and sustain or restore the highest possible level of independence. An Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) is a therapist who has graduated from an accredited educational program and passed a national certification examination. Some states have additional requirements for therapists who work in schools or early intervention programs.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists provide services to help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. Physical therapists must graduate from an accredited physical therapist educational program with a master’s or doctoral degree and pass a licensure exam before they can practice.