Conversationally, we tend to refer to mental health providers who prescribe psychiatric medication as “psychiatrists.” In reality, there are a lot of different kinds of providers who can prescribe psych meds.
Knowing the differences between these providers is important if you think you might need medication to manage your mental health concerns. It’s helpful to know what to expect from each type of prescriber so you can make the best choice for your situation.
Primary Care Physicians
Required Education
Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
What Kind of Care They Can Provide
Primary care physicians can prescribe psychiatric medication, but they may not have specialization in mental health or in prescribing those medications. Because of this, you may want to consider seeing a prescriber who specializes in mental health care to monitor your medications long-term. The best-case scenario is generally having your primary care and mental health professionals who can collaborate if needed.
However, if you already have a good relationship with your primary care doctor and they know your medical history, this can be a good place to start. You probably know how to make an appointment with your primary care doctor, have a rapport with them, and they can refer you to a prescriber with more specialized mental health training if needed.
Family Nurse Practitioners
Required Education
Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in nursing, plus a nursing license in the state where they practice
What Kind of Care They Can Provide
Based on state laws, family nurse practitioners generally operate similarly to a primary care doctor. Like a primary care doctor, they can prescribe medications, but you may want to see someone with more specialization in mental health care.
Physician Assistants
Required Education
Master’s degree and certification
What Kind of Care They Can Provide
Physician assistants can provide medical and psychiatric services under the supervision of a psychiatrist or primary care doctor. Like primary care doctors, they may not have specialized mental health training.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Required Education
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) degree
What Kind of Care They Can Provide
Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide similar care to a traditional nurse practitioner, but they focus specifically on mental health. They often operate similarly to psychiatrists, but have differences in education and scope of practice. They can assess, diagnose, and treat patients with behavioral and mental health conditions.
Some states limit psychiatric NPs’ duties, so be sure to clarify early on what kind of care you can expect from your psych NP. They often work with a family nurse practitioner to provide holistic care. So if you already see a nurse practitioner, they may be able to recommend a psychiatric nurse practitioner who can collaborate with them.
Psychiatrists
Required Education
Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a residency program specializing in psychiatry
What Kind of Care They Can Provide
Psychiatrists can diagnose and treat medication conditions, which includes providing medication. They tend to focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders. Some psychiatrists focus on treating children, adolescents, or the elderly, while others will treat any patient.
Psychiatrists are qualified to provide talk therapy and prescribe medications, but most psychiatrists only manage medications.
If you have a good existing relationship with your primary care provider, that can be a good place to start. But if your mental health journey ends up involving ongoing medication management, you may want to consider seeing a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner – especially if that medication management becomes complex or you end up needing to seek treatment for a complicated condition.
