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Types of mental health providers

By Mayo Clinic staff

Introduction

Choosing a mental health provider? You may be unsure which provider is best for you. There are many types of mental health providers.

The terms that describe some types of mental health providers are used broadly and can mean different things in different states. Click on the tabs to learn about the various types of mental health providers.

References
  1. Becoming a substance abuse professional (SAP). Association for Addiction Professionals. http://www.naadac.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=208&Itemid=77. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  2. Counselors. Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  3. The professionals. Psychology Today. http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/content/therapy_professionals.html. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  4. About art therapy. American Art Therapy Association. http://www.arttherapy.org/aboutart.htm. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  5. Frequently asked questions on marriage and family therapists. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. http://www.aamft.org/faqs/index_nm.asp. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  6. Definition of counseling. American Counseling Association. http://www.counseling.org/Resources/ConsumersMedia.aspx?AGuid=97592202-75c2-4079-b854-2cd22c47be3f. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  7. Factsheet: Mental illness and the family: Finding the right mental health care for you. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/farcry/go/information/get-info/mi-and-the-family/finding-the-right-mental-health-care-for-you/mental-illness-and-the-family-finding-the-right-mental-health-care-for-you. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  8. About psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs). American Psychiatric Nurses Association. http://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3292. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  9. What is a psychiatrist? American Psychiatric Association. http://www.healthyminds.org/whatisapsychiatrist.cfm. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  10. Why psychoanalysis? American Psychoanalytic Association. http://www.apsa.org/AboutPsychoanalysis/WhyPsychoanalysis/tabid/215/Default.aspx. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  11. What is pastoral counseling? American Association of Pastoral Counselors. http://www.aapc.org/node/3. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009. 
  12. Frequently asked questions. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). http://www.aasect.org/faqs.asp#Become_Educator. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009.

MH00074

April 16, 2009

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