Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

1,330 people sought psychiatry/medication help at Chapel Hill in the last year

Discover how starting psychiatry/medication therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 104 psychiatric NPs in North Carolina available for an online psychiatry session.

Starting Psychiatry/medication

What is psychiatry?

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that focuses specifically on the medical and psychotherapeutic treatment of mental conditions and disorders.

How does psychiatry work?

Psychiatry allows people struggling to manage mental conditions or disorders to get access to medications that will make daily functioning easier, as well as work through any mental factors that might be causing or worsening their condition. Though medications can't cure mental disorders, medication can make symptoms more manageable, making the process of psychotherapeutic treatment easier and more effective. Psychiatric care can be available through in-person psychiatry and online psychiatry, depending on where you live and your own preferences. However, psychiatric providers at Thriveworks in Chapel Hill, NC specifically offer online psychiatry to their clients.

Does psychiatry deal with anxiety?

Psychiatrists are among the mental health professionals who can prescribe anxiety medication, and they are also capable of offering therapeutic treatment for anxiety as well, though not every psychiatric professional offers therapy. Medication management can be offered via in-person or online psychiatry.

What is the difference between a mental health therapist and psychiatrist?

A therapist has an education specifically rooted in therapeutic practice, approaches, techniques, and treatment. They cannot prescribe medications for clients, thought they often refer clients to psychiatrists for medication management. Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who specialize in mental health treatment, mainly through medication management and prescription, though they can also practice therapy.

What's the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Psychologists and psychiatrists receive differing educations, as psychologists are not medically trained the same way that psychiatrists are. Psychologists mainly specialize in providing therapy services and diagnoses for mental disorders — something that most therapists cannot provide — while psychiatrists manage medications and sometimes provide therapy services. The main difference is that psychologists (generally) cannot prescribe medications the way psychiatrists can.

Do psychiatric NPs treat mental disorders?

Psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) treat and diagnose disorders, prescribe and manage medications, and offer psychotherapy services, too.

How do psychiatriac providers diagnose?

Oftentimes, psychiatrists or psychiatric professionals will perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which involves an in-depth discussion about your symptoms, medical history, and current medications. Once they reach a diagnosis, they may suggest starting certain medications depending on your condition and the intensity of your symptoms.

Is psychiatry/medication conducted in person or online?

At Thriveworks, we offer online psychiatry as well as in-person therapy services for optimal comfort and convenience.

How long does psychiatry last?

Psychiatric services at Thriveworks Chapel Hill can last for as little or as much time as the client needs to reach their treatment goals, whether that be a month or two or over the course of years. treatment length is heavily dependent on the condition(s) being treated, the course of treatment, and the client's goals for treatment.

Need more help deciding?

Chapel Hill Psychiatry—Psychiatric Help in Chapel Hill, NC

When we need help, we often seek out help from a professional. If you need help with understanding, identifying, and managing a mental health condition like anxiety or depression, consider scheduling an appointment with a psychiatric provider. 

Here at Thriveworks Counseling in Chapel Hill, NC, our psychiatric providers offer telehealth appointments. This means that you can talk to a psychiatric provider conveniently over video chat. This is a convenient way to receive psychiatric care, and we are happy to offer it to our clients. To schedule an appointment with one of our online psychiatric providers, just call our office. We look forward to helping you.

When Can Psychiatrists Help?

Psychiatric providers can help when someone is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, especially when it is having a negative impact on their day to day life. Here are some symptoms of mental illness that can prove damaging and difficult to manage:

  • Depressive thoughts and feelings
  • Anxious thoughts and feelings
  • Irritability or mood swings
  • Insomnia or another sleep disturbance
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
  • Withdrawal from loved ones
  • Trouble concentrating at work
  • Body aches

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s crucial that you consult a mental health professional. Remember what we said earlier? It’s normal to seek a professional’s help in the given area. There is no reason to feel ashamed for doing so.

A psychiatric provider can help by assessing your symptoms, offering a diagnosis, and then formulating a treatment plan that addresses your condition. Psychiatric providers can also conduct this treatment themselves, which might include talk therapy and/or medication. 

Medication Management: A Pillar of Mental Health Treatment

A major difference between psychiatric providers and psychologists or other mental health providers is that psychiatric providers are qualified to offer medication management. They can determine which type of medication might best benefit their client and then help them take it successfully. In order to do so, they:

  • Understand their client’s specific needs
  • Explain to their client exactly how they should take their medication
  • Monitor how the medication affects their client
  • If it doesn’t help or the negative side effects outweigh the positive, the psychiatric provider can identify another medication that is better suited for the client
  • Can alter the prescription as needed

Medication management is an important pillar of mental health treatment. It is often used to help individuals manage depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. This, combined with therapy, proves time and time again to help people live better.

Work with an Online Psychiatric Provider at Thriveworks Counseling in Chapel Hill

Thriveworks Counseling has been providing quality mental health care since 2008. We are committed, as always, to helping people live better by setting them up with skilled and caring mental health professionals.

If you think that you could find value in talking to a psychiatric provider, call our office to schedule your appointment. Here at Thriveworks, we offer our clients premium counseling benefits, which help to create an overwhelmingly positive experience. These benefits include:

  • Fast-turnaround: New clients can often meet their provider within the same week of scheduling their appointment.
  • Telehealth appointments: As we mentioned earlier, our clients can work with their provider online. When it comes to psychiatry, you can expect to attend all of your sessions over video.
  • Flexible sessions: In addition to online counseling opportunities, we also offer appointments in the evenings and on weekends to improve access to our mental health services.

To schedule your appointment with a psychiatric provider, just call our office. We are excited to meet you and begin working with you soon!

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Chapel Hill therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Caresource

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

Show more
Self-pay costs at Chapel Hill
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Thriveworks Chapel Hill reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Ariel is a compassionate, reliable, supportive counselor. The work she has done with foster children, birth families and foster families has been amazing to witness. She brings so much light and hope to the children and families she works with. She is truly a gift.
Read more Ariel is a compassionate, reliable, supportive counselor. The work she has done with foster children, birth families and foster families has been amazing to witness. She brings so much light and hope to the children and families she works with. She is truly a gift.
Chapel Hill Oct 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ariel Harris is an excellent therapist. I have worked with her in professional settings and she is kind with clients. She has worked with a variety of clientele from all areas of life, and is knowledgeable in many topics. She is supportive of her clients and genuinely cares about helping them reach their goals and be successful. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their life.
Read more Ariel Harris is an excellent therapist. I have worked with her in professional settings and she is kind with clients. She has worked with a variety of clientele from all areas of life, and is knowledgeable in many topics. She is supportive of her clients and genuinely cares about helping them reach their goals and be successful. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their life.
Chapel Hill Oct 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
She did an exceptional job as a counselor. She asked great questions and knew how to get to the root of the problems. Thanks!
Read more She did an exceptional job as a counselor. She asked great questions and knew how to get to the root of the problems. Thanks!
Chapel Hill Apr 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cindy Goulding is a very accomplished and experienced therapist. For Cindy, being a mental health professional is a calling not simply a job. She cares deeply about the success of her clients and makes them feel comfortable with her grounded and non-judgmental approach. Cindy is highly compassionate as a person. This is not a skill for her; it's who she is at her core. Her relentless pursuit to understand the experience and perspective of others is unmatched. Most people want a competent therapist they can trust with their most vulnerable fears, stories and relationship struggles. Cindy Goulding is a top notch choice!
Read more Cindy Goulding is a very accomplished and experienced therapist. For Cindy, being a mental health professional is a calling not simply a job. She cares deeply about the success of her clients and makes them feel comfortable with her grounded and non-judgmental approach. Cindy is highly compassionate as a person. This is not a skill for her; it's who she is at her core. Her relentless pursuit to understand the experience and perspective of others is unmatched. Most people want a competent therapist they can trust with their most vulnerable fears, stories and relationship struggles. Cindy Goulding is a top notch choice!
Chapel Hill Mar 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cindy Goulding is a topnotch counselor. I have worked with her professionally and referred patients to her for both her personal training and her counseling skills. She has written a very nice book on how to manage weight family style.
Read more Cindy Goulding is a topnotch counselor. I have worked with her professionally and referred patients to her for both her personal training and her counseling skills. She has written a very nice book on how to manage weight family style.
Chapel Hill Feb 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cindy is a very caring, honest and responsible person. She is very understanding and compassionate. Her skills are exceptionally sharp, and she has high integrity. She is very thorough and always thinking of how to resolve difficult situations. She is open-minded, non-judgmental and an asset to anyone working with her.
Read more Cindy is a very caring, honest and responsible person. She is very understanding and compassionate. Her skills are exceptionally sharp, and she has high integrity. She is very thorough and always thinking of how to resolve difficult situations. She is open-minded, non-judgmental and an asset to anyone working with her.
Chapel Hill Feb 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I am very pleased with my therapist. She provides insights to my emotions and behavior. she helps me explore new ways of thinking that helps me turn away from negativity. She helps me understand the origins of some of my behaviors. I look forward to continue working with her to help me attain a more fufilled and happy life.
Read more I am very pleased with my therapist. She provides insights to my emotions and behavior. she helps me explore new ways of thinking that helps me turn away from negativity. She helps me understand the origins of some of my behaviors. I look forward to continue working with her to help me attain a more fufilled and happy life.
Chapel Hill Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
It’s difficult to say how someone can impact your life. In a short time Donna has impacted my life and helped me see there is a journey. Although the journey is not clear to me, Donna listens with a compassionate heart and deep intent. She is truly engaged and seeks to help you understand as you tell your story. It is the telling of the story that is more important than the words, a wise person told me. Donna very much wants to hear your story. I’m lucky and grateful to have found her.
Read more It’s difficult to say how someone can impact your life. In a short time Donna has impacted my life and helped me see there is a journey. Although the journey is not clear to me, Donna listens with a compassionate heart and deep intent. She is truly engaged and seeks to help you understand as you tell your story. It is the telling of the story that is more important than the words, a wise person told me. Donna very much wants to hear your story. I’m lucky and grateful to have found her.
Chapel Hill Dec 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Chapel Hill is located near the corner of Franklin Street and Estes Drive. We currently share a building with Select Physical Therapy, Child Trends, and Grupo Gransolar, among other businesses. When you turn off of Franklin Street, to get to our office, you will pass Avance Care Chapel Hill.

Phone number

(919) 642-1031

Languages spoken by NC providers

  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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