This part of our website explains the types and levels of mental health treatment and how to obtain treatment if you think you or a friend or family member might need it.
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Mental health treatment can include psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, or a combination of the two. Depending on the nature and severity of a problem, treatment may also take place in outpatient, inpatient, day treatment, or intensive outpatient settings. Understanding the different types of treatment can help you determine what kind of professional help may be appropriate. Learn more about the different approaches to mental health treatment at ITI-NJ.
Mental health services may be provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other qualified professionals, depending on their education, training, and state licensure. Understanding the differences among these professionals can help you decide what type of provider may be appropriate for your needs. Learn more about the different types of mental health professionals and their roles.
Licensure establishes that a professional has met the education, training, examination, and other requirements established by the state to practice a particular profession. If someone is completing supervised training toward independent licensure, it is important to understand the role of the licensed professional supervising their work. Knowing a therapist's credentials and supervision status can help you make a more informed choice when seeking professional help. Learn more about the differences between licensed and unlicensed psychotherapists.
The answer depends on your needs. Psychotherapists provide psychotherapy to address emotional, behavioral, and other psychological concerns, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who can evaluate mental health conditions and prescribe psychiatric medication. Some people benefit from psychotherapy, some from medication, and some from both. Psychotherapists and psychiatrists may also work together when both types of treatment are appropriate. Learn more about the differences between psychotherapy and psychiatry.
Start by reviewing your insurance information and contacting the behavioral health or mental health number listed on your insurance card. Ask about your benefits, copays, deductibles, in-network and out-of-network providers, and whether your plan requires preauthorization. Because insurance benefits vary among plans, it is important to confirm the details of your own coverage directly with your insurance company. Learn more about using health insurance to help pay for mental health treatment.
There may be several options for obtaining more affordable mental health care. Private therapists may offer sliding-scale fees, while community mental health centers and training clinics associated with graduate psychology programs may offer lower-cost services. Some training programs provide treatment under the close supervision of licensed professionals. Exploring these options may help you find appropriate care even when you do not have health insurance. Learn more about finding mental health care when you do not have health insurance.
In our work with children, teens, parents, and adults, we strive to meet the needs that everyone has for validation and support while helping them to expand their self-awareness and the range of skills they employ to work out solutions to the problems they face in life. Our mission at ITI-NJ is to improve psychotherapy outcomes for all clients and families in the communities we serve and to provide excellent, quality care with compassion and respect for all we serve.
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