Mental Health Therapist or Psychiatrist?

In non-acute cases it can be difficult to determine whether a psychiatrist or mental health therapist is the best option for treatment. It is important to understand the differences between these unique providers. A therapist observes, listens and aids patients in creating and implementing a treatment plan. If insurance/cost is an issue a therapist may be a less expensive route than seeing a psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist can provide the same services as a therapist, plus with extensive mental health training and a degree in medicine they can interpret imaging and blood work as well as prescribe medication. For patients with advanced needs seeing a psychiatrist is imperative.

If you are seeking help and unsure which route to go you should schedule an initial consultation to lay out your options.

Why Texas Psychiatry Associations Matter

Psychiatrists are often associated with professional organizations such as the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians. This decision is not about padding resumes, its about supplementing education. State licensing and board certification are of course the foundation of a successful practice, but in order to maintain the highest professional standards it is important for your local psychiatrist to interact with peers and stay abreast of industry developments.

Here are a few of TSPP's stated objectives:

• Promote the best interests of patients and of those with a future need for mental health services.
• Advance the standards of psychiatric services and facilities statewide
• Promote cooperation amongst all parties focused on medical, psychological, social and legal aspects of mental health and illness
• Make psychiatric information available to other medical professionals, scientists and the public

Associations have your best interests in mind. And so will any psychiatrist worth consulting. Dr. Tucker is committed to keeping his skills finely honed. Click here to learn just how he goes about it.

Women's Group: A Place for Support and Clarity

If you feel like every day is a struggle you have a lot of company. The challenges facing women in the 21st century are many and varied. Our women's group provides a supportive, safe environment for you to connect with women in similar situations and to speak openly about the challenges you're currently facing.

There is medicine in the support of strangers. Strangers are blank, while traditional channels of support can be fraught with obstacles.

Ourselves: Self-reliance is a wonderful strength, but when taken too far it can be damaging. By turning inward (and only inward) we deny ourselves access to the advice of others who have dealt with similar struggles. This level of isolation leads people to believe that they are alone in the world, that their problems are unique. Part of being successfully self-reliant is knowing the boundaries of that reliance.  

Friends: The advice of a trusted friend is one of the great comforts in life, but there is only so many times you can go to that well before you start to feel like you are harping on the same subject over and over. Venting for the sake of venting can be wonderful too. And your friend may be more than willing to listen whenever you need that. But, do you want to put that kind of consistent support pressure on your friend? Having a separate support group allows you to vent and consider advice without overtaxing your more important friendships.

Family: This is a difficult group to discuss and a widely varied one. Some people have supportive and loving families, many do not. And often family (spouses, children, in-laws) are wrapped up in the causes of stress and struggle, making sensitivity a bridgeless divide.

Don't feel trapped by the obstacles of self, friends and family. Rely on all of those channels if you can, but branch out as well. Lean on the support of a women's group to let your voice be heard unfiltered. Gain clarity in the embrace of like minded women.

Child Psychiatry Can Help in Cases of Severe Bullying

Schools aim to be a safe haven for learning and personal growth. Teachers and school administrators actively work to manage student behavior and to promote positive interaction. Despite all their hard work bullying still happens, bullying has always happened. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) in upwards of fifty percent of kids are bullied and one in ten suffers from repeat bullying. Child Psychiatry isn't the answer for all instances of bullying. However, in extreme cases the AACAP does suggest consulting a specialist in child psychiatry. Professional assistance may lessen the risk of long-term emotional consequences.  

What you can expect from a child psychiatrist:

• Empower your child by helping them develop coping strategies
• Assist parents in identifying signs of emotional distress
• Help coordinate anti-bullying plans with school officials

Often bullying can be dealt with through parental support, but if it gets bad don't be afraid to seek help.