People working in mental health can have different types of degrees, and might use different approaches. Here are some of the most common types:

Licensed Social Workers & Mental Health Counselors

Licensed social workers and mental health counselors are trained to make diagnoses and can provide individual, family, and/or group therapy. They may also help with coordinating care with other people in your child and family’s life like their teacher or pediatrician.

Pro: They have been trained to provide therapy and some will help your family with other issues too, like finding stable housing or food.

Con: They can’t prescribe medications and usually don’t perform testing to diagnose problems.

Psychologists

Psychologists have advanced degrees and are trained to make diagnoses, and to provide individual, family and/or group therapy or counseling.

Pro: Psychologists have years of training and can provide individual, family and/or group therapy. Many psychologists can perform psychological testing to help clarify a diagnosis or problem like a learning disability. 

Con: Psychologists cannot prescribe medication in most states, including Massachusetts.

Family Partners

Family partners have their own lived experience parenting a child with a mental health challenge. They have ‘been there’ and are great mentors to guide parents who might be just starting on their journey.

Pro: Family partners have usually been through something similar, and therefore might be able to understand what you are going through more directly.

Con: In some cases, family partners might have less ‘formal’ training than other professionals, but many do have training and also draw on their own, powerful lived experiences. Family partners cannot prescribe medication.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors with special training in the diagnosis of mental and emotional illnesses.

Pro: Psychiatrists have medical degrees, so they can prescribe medication, if you both agree that is the right treatment for your child. They can also help you tease out an accurate diagnosis for your child.

Con: It can be hard to get an appointment with a child psychiatrist. There are just fewer of them around than other mental health professionals. If you feel like your child might need medication to help them manage their feelings or behaviors, you might want to start with your pediatrician to see if they can help. Psychiatrists typically don’t offer psychotherapy (counseling) because their time is limited.