The post Dual Diagnosis Program In Redding appeared first on North American Mental Health Services.

As you explore your options for mental healthcare, make sure you understand the similarities and differences between therapists and counselors.

Therapists and Counselors Often Prioritize Talk Therapy

From general mental health guidance to specialized support for mental illness, therapists and counselors may offer talk therapy as part of a treatment plan. People throughout the United States depend on talk therapy to achieve mental health goals.

To make your mental health a priority with clear direction, scheduling regular meetings with a professional can be a great first step. Since the pandemic, online talk therapy has helped more people access therapy at their convenience. Besides physically being in the same room as your therapist, online therapy also offers the same benefits as regular talk therapy.

Training and Licensing Differ for Therapists and Counselors

The details are confusing but here is the main point: training and licensing are different for therapists and counselors. Certifications and licenses vary per state. Research your state’s requirements; or if seeking online therapy, check the various state requirements of your potential therapist or counselor.

During an initial meeting, you can also ask therapists or counselors what their licensing and training entailed. As far as education requirements, counselors and therapists both hold master’s degrees. Keep in mind that vague titles like “life coach” are different and operate in an unregulated field.

Among licensed professionals, not all therapists will meet your needs, the same way that not all bosses or coworkers meet your needs. Keep looking until you find a match that feels right for you.

Take a Mental Health Step

Start feeling better today by working with a Redding, Eureka, Fairfield, Monterey, Salinas, Red Bluff and Hollister. Remember that teletherapy is an option that many people use as part of their mental healthcare.

The post Therapists vs. Counselors: What is the Difference?  appeared first on North American Mental Health Services.

In this article, we explore what a visit with an online psychiatrist might entail. If you are not sure if online therapy is for you, we hope that this article provides clarity.

Is a Visit for Online Psychiatry Different from a Visit for Online Therapy?

Online therapy refers to any therapy that uses telecommunication. Technically, online psychiatry falls under this larger umbrella of “online therapy.”
Visits for online psychiatry may entail going over your personal and familial medical history, giving medication prescriptions, adjusting doses for prescriptions, discussing any side effects of medication, and helping patients find the right treatment plan. Unlike online therapy, psychiatrists do not focus on cognitive or behavioral treatments; however, they may work in tandem with your online therapist.

Psychiatrists can also work with your primary care physician to understand your medical history and help you find additional support.

How Do Online Psychiatrists Prescribe Medication?

Online psychiatrists have medical training and are qualified to prescribe medication. We recommend going with a mental health provider that you trust. HomePsych offers a team of licensed professionals, for example, to help you receive the support you need. As mentioned in an additional online therapy article, you can always ask your provider if they can connect you with the medicine you need. You can also research the teletherapist yourself: did they go to medical school and do they hold an active license in your state? If so, then they should be able to prescribe medication.

The expectations of online psychiatrists are the same as psychiatrists who see patients in person. To prescribe medication, most online psychiatrists conduct an assessment of your physical and mental health. Since 2020, and depending on updates from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), psychiatrists can prescribe medication without an in-person visit.

After filling out a contact form or requesting an appointment, you can expect to hear from your online therapy provider about the availability of psychiatrists, the prices, and any additional features. In terms of payment, you might pay a copay each session or front the bill and be reimbursed later by your insurance after filing a claim.

Pros and Cons of Online Psychiatry

If you are too anxious or depressed to leave your living space, online psychiatry makes receiving care possible and easy. Given global health crises such as Covid-19, online psychiatry made it possible for people to monitor their mental health with professional support, during a time when in-person visits were not safe.

The pros of online psychiatry can include more flexible scheduling, just as effective treatment as in-person psychiatry, zero commuting time to an in-person office, and a reduced delay in receiving adequate care. The cons include that some insurance companies do not cover online psychiatry, there is less direct human contact, it may require a stable internet connection, there can be problems with technology, and different platforms have different privacy.

We summarized the benefits of online therapy to explain in more detail why many people prefer the flexibility of online visits.

Schedule a Visit with an Online Psychiatrist

From the flexible scheduling options and ease of receiving quality care, millions of people find balance in their life with the help of online psychiatry.

At HomePsych, our licensed therapists offer talk therapy while our psychiatric team provide medication management. This means our psychiatrists can prescribe medication and help you find the right dosage. To begin, simply check the box for “Medication Management” when you request an appointment with NAMHS.

North American Mental Health Services also has in-person therapist and psychiatrists available in Redding, Eureka, Fairfield, Monterey, Salinas, Red Bluff and Hollister.

The post What’s An Online Psychiatrist Visit Like?  appeared first on North American Mental Health Services.

Online therapy offers most of the benefits of in-person therapy. As of 2022, many people prefer doing therapy online to regular, face-to-face therapy. Before making a decision, you can read about the benefits of therapy to decide if online is right for you.

Does tele-therapy have the same benefits as regular therapy?

Online therapy gives people the tools they need to feel seen, valued, and equipped to handle life’s curveballs. In surveys since 2020, many people reported that doing therapy online helped them cope with the numerous stresses of COVID-19, income changes, police brutality, and a broader sense of uncertainty. Tele-therapy made it possible for therapists to continue seeing clients during the initial stages of the pandemic, and it also increased the accessibility for new patients who could access therapy.

Besides physically being in the same room as your therapist, online therapy offers the same benefits as regular therapy. Plus, for the upcoming years, studies also suggest that online therapy is here to stay. This means that it is likely to become even more accessible with time.

What do I need to access therapy online?

Most virtual therapy appointments require a computer–or a phone–and a stable internet connection. One thing to consider is whether you like video appointments or phone calls. Be sure to ask your potential therapist about these options,  in case they have a preference.

Whether calling your therapist from your home or talking with them over the phone while sitting outside, there are ways to tailor your experience so you can enjoy the experience and get the help you need.

How do I learn more about options for online therapy near me?

Because you don’t need to commute to these appointments, you can find an online therapist around the world, so long as they work with your insurance policy or budget. Each provider has a different enrollment process that range from simple to complicated.

At HomePsych, we make it easy for you to receive high-quality care. Contact us to learn more.

HomePsych is a division of NAMHS. North American Mental Health Services has in-person therapy available as well in Redding, Eureka, Fairfield, Monterey, Salinas, Red Bluff and Hollister.

The post Is Online Therapy Right for Me? appeared first on North American Mental Health Services.

Online therapy offers a convenient way for people to receive mental health counseling regardless of where they live. With the abundance of providers available, it’s important to find the right teletherapist, which means first understanding what is available.

In this article, we explore what online therapy offers and how it works. We also provide three tips for how to find the right teletherapist, making it easy for you to decide for yourself.

What is Online Therapy and Why Does It Matter?

Millions of people experience mental illness each year–and that’s only in the United States. To respond to the growing need for mental health counseling, providers are increasing the availability of online therapy, as opposed to traditional therapy which requires commuting to a therapist’s office.

• phone calls
• video conferencing
• website messaging
• therapy apps

If you have ever participated in a phone call or a video call with a therapist or messaged a therapist in a special app on your phone, then you have participated in online therapy. Practitioners who provide these services online are teletherapists, though many prefer the more general term, therapists.

Online therapy has increased the accessibility for millions of people to receive counseling, especially for people in rural areas who lack adequate mental health services. Additionally, many people with disabilities express a preference for online therapy. Since 2020, in response to Covid-19 and “remote life,” the number of people using online therapy has skyrocketed.

In short, online therapy matters because we live in a world that can be stressful, challenging, and alienating. Online therapy gives people the tools they need to feel seen, valued, and equipped to handle life’s curveballs.

Online therapy may require a laptop, phone, and stable internet connection.

How Does Online Therapy Work?

Online therapy, or teletherapy, remains in high demand and it employs similar tools used in “regular” therapy. Many people prefer it to traditional therapy, since the former can easily fit into their schedule, and 97% of psychologists believe that online therapy should remain post-pandemic.

In general, online therapy works by connecting individuals with licensed mental health professionals. After filling out a contact form or requesting an appointment, you can expect to hear from your online therapy provider about the availability of teletherapists, the prices, and any additional features. They will match you with a therapist who meets your unique needs.

At HomePsych, our online therapy works by offering one-on-one talk therapy between a patient and a licensed therapist. After an initial appointment via phone or video conferencing, you can opt to continue seeing this teletherapist for a set number of sessions, or until you feel you have gained adequate tools and support.

In terms of payment, you might pay a copay each session or front the bill and be reimbursed later by your insurance after filing a claim.

Can HomePsych Prescribe Medication?

At HomePsych, our therapists offer talk therapy and our psychiatrists provide medication management. This means that we can prescribe medication. If this applies to you, check the box for “Medication Management” when you request an appointment with HomePsych.

Ready to get started with online therapy? Contact HomePsych today!

The post Is Online Therapy For You? Tips For Finding The Right Teletherapist appeared first on North American Mental Health Services.

We can be our own worst critics, and doing online therapy can help people access help with more ease. Working with a mental health professional—like a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist—can allow us to see the truth in our situations from an unbiased perspective.

Learning Life and Coping Skills

Mental Health professionals use different techniques to help people make lasting changes in their lives. Therapy allows you the opportunity to examine your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. You can also gain skills, like coping with your thoughts and emotions and learn techniques to deal with stressors. These skills can be applied to different situations throughout life, with different people and different situations. In short, therapy can create lasting changes.

Both in-person and online therapy can help create positive cycles. If you’re feeling more in control and self assured, those feelings create an impact in your environment. More happiness can lead to more productivity which can lead to more positive outcomes. More positive outcomes can create more happiness, and the cycle continues.

Online Therapy with HomePsych

People find that doing online therapy is a more convenient way to work with a therapist. Anywhere there is an internet connection, you can use your smartphone or computer to easily connect. It also allows flexibility in scheduling appointments and eliminates micro stressors like drivetime or taking extra time off of work and life responsibilities.

Stress is a part of life, but chronic stress can be draining, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Ready to work with an online therapist? Contact HomePsych today! NAMHS also has offices in Redding, Eureka, Fairfield, Monterey, Salinas, Red Bluff and Hollister  for patients who prefer to work work with a NAMHS therapist in person.

The post Benefits Of Online Therapy appeared first on North American Mental Health Services.