Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

2,504 people sought psychiatry/medication help at Pittsburgh 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh, PA 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 Pittsburgh 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?

Pittsburgh Psychiatry—Mental Health Services in Pittsburgh, PA

Psychiatrists stand apart from their counterparts in that they are medical doctors who can treat their clients’ mental health problems with medication. While therapy often proves helpful, medication is also an important method of treatment. For this reason, Thriveworks offers both counseling and medication management services.

If you would like to talk to a psychiatric provider in Pittsburgh, PA, call our Thriveworks office in Pittsburgh. We can set you up with one of our online psychiatric providers who offer comfortable and convenient psychiatric care over video. To start a relationship with one of our psychiatric providers and begin living better, just call our office.

Who Can Benefit from Psychiatric Care?

When psychiatric providers decide to pursue this career path, they commit to many years of learning, training, and gaining experience. By the time they help clients, they are well-prepared to assess and treat a variety of mental disorders.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder, you need to consult a medical professional. It is crucial to your healing and your wellbeing. A psychiatric provider can assess your specific symptoms, make a diagnosis, and then offer a plan of care that helps you manage your condition. 

The following are commonly diagnosed and treated by psychiatrists and other psychiatric providers:

  • Substance abuse and addiction
  • Eating disorders
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Bipolar disorder

When you see a psychiatric provider about any of the above disorders, they’ll want to know about every symptom that you have. It is important that they understand the full picture as well as your specific needs so they can make an accurate diagnosis as well as come up with a proper treatment plan!

Treatment for Mental Disorders

When it comes to treatment for mental disorders, such as those we listed above, therapy and medication can both prove effective. As we discussed previously, psychiatric providers are able to offer medication to their clients as well as therapy. Therefore, if you are interested in how a medication might help you manage your symptoms, a psychiatric provider is the person to talk to.

A psychiatric provider will assess your specific symptoms and needs to identify which treatment method you might best benefit from. Often, people benefit from talking to a therapist as well as taking a medication, like an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or an anti-anxiety agent. 

If you are prescribed a medication, it is important that you work with your psychiatric provider to understand exactly how to take it as well as potential side effects. You should also develop clear communication with your psychiatric provider: Be sure to tell them when you don’t think a medication is working out.

Another important part of managing your mental health condition is practicing self-care. Your psychiatric provider can “prescribe” self-care activities like exercising or journaling. This will further help to alleviate your symptoms. 

Schedule a Psychiatry Appointment at Thriveworks in Pittsburgh, PA

If you would like to schedule a psychiatry appointment, call Thriveworks in Pittsburgh, PA. We offer many premium benefits, including online care. As we touched on earlier, you can expect to talk to your psychiatric provider over video; this means quality, convenient, and comfortable care. 

We would love to help you on your mental health journey. To get started on this journey, call us when you are ready to book your first session.

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 Pennsylvania therapists and counselors accept 34 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • AmeriHealth New Jersey

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Geisinger Health Plan

  • Geisinger Health Plan Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

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Self-pay costs at Pittsburgh
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

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I am so very happy with my Therapist Monica Cwynar. She is everything I could hope for since I really never did this before and didn't know what to expect. She is very understanding and easy to talk to.
Read more I am so very happy with my Therapist Monica Cwynar. She is everything I could hope for since I really never did this before and didn't know what to expect. She is very understanding and easy to talk to.
Philip Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
So I don't like doing this but have to say that I'm very happy with Monica and I think we are doing good work.
Read more So I don't like doing this but have to say that I'm very happy with Monica and I think we are doing good work.
Philip Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have learned so much about myself since i started therapy at thriveworks .. I’m doing CBT and I’m improving I love my Therapist and my NP that goes over medication. I would recommend anyone to use your services
Read more I have learned so much about myself since i started therapy at thriveworks .. I’m doing CBT and I’m improving I love my Therapist and my NP that goes over medication. I would recommend anyone to use your services
Rosanne Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Kate is a warm, caring and trusting person who has a way of making me feel secure with opening up to her with whatever I need to talk about.
Read more Kate is a warm, caring and trusting person who has a way of making me feel secure with opening up to her with whatever I need to talk about.
Pittsburgh Nov 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Barb is an amazing therapist. She is compassionate and very motivated. I highly recommend her.
Pittsburgh Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services!
Read more Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services!
Pittsburgh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erica is a great person and a wonderful listener. You will be in great hands!
Pittsburgh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services.
Read more Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services.
Pittsburgh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Pittsburgh is near Arriviste Coffee Bar, and across the street From Dark Matter Tattoo Collective. Between Ellsworth Avenue and Felix Way, we share an office building with Round Table Coffee.

Phone number

(412) 561-9950

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • English
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
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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