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16,958 people sought psychiatry/medication help in California 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 5 psychiatric NPs in California available for an online or in-person 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 Berkeley, CA 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 Berkeley 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?

The American writer Henry David Thoreau once stated, “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” If humans didn’t get off track sometimes, we’d never be forced to problem-solve. If we didn’t problem-solve, we wouldn’t achieve the wisdom that comes from that task. 

But what does this have to do with psychiatry? Mental health conditions aren’t mistakes. They’re not something that people can control. But they do push us off course from time to time. Overcoming a mental health condition that interferes with daily life can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves: our vulnerabilities, our strengths, our ability to ask for help. 

The licensed psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA can support people who feel that they’ve temporarily lost their way and need a little guidance. Psychiatrists diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental health conditions that can interfere with daily functioning. But the psychiatrists at Thriveworks don’t treat the condition; they treat the person. This means that each Thriveworks client gets compassionate, expert, holistic care.

How Do Psychiatrists Diagnose Mental Health Conditions? 

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who studied psychology and physiology in medical school. Therefore they have extensive knowledge of how underlying neurochemical conditions and other factors can affect one’s mental outlook and behaviors. But in order to diagnose a condition accurately, the top-rated psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA need to first perform a full evaluation of the client. This evaluation may include the following elements:

  • Comprehensive discussion of cognitive and behavioral symptoms
  • Psychological tests
  • Physical tests
  • Lifestyle questions (i.e., do you abuse drugs or alcohol? Do you exercise regularly?)
  • Medical history
  • Family medical history (because some mental health conditions like bipolar disorder have genetic components)
  • Consultation with the individual’s other doctors and caregivers
  • Mood charting
  • Psychosocial evaluation (What are your relationships like? Do you have a support system?)

How Do Psychiatrists Treat Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world, and Thriveworks psychiatrists in Berkeley, CA have extensive experience in treating it. They use a variety of tools and resources to help people manage their anxiety symptoms, including the following:

  • Psychiatric medications and ongoing medication management
  • Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which addresses maladaptive thinking patterns and belief systems
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Substance abuse or addiction treatment
  • Other evidence-based cognitive and behavioral therapies
  • Lifestyle changes (increasing exercise, reducing caffeine intake, etc.)
  • Holistic treatments like meditation and deep breathing
  • Mindfulness therapy
  • Group therapy or couples counseling from a Thriveworks licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) 
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) 

What Qualifies As a Mental Health Condition?

Not every mental health condition is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that psychiatrists use as a tool for diagnosis. But that doesn’t mean these conditions can’t be treated. The licensed psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA have experience treating the following issues, and many more:

  • Major depression 
  • Mild depressive disorder
  • Dysthymia (depression lasting longer than two years)
  • Postpartum depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Ecological anxiety and ecological grief
  • Panic disorder and panic attacks
  • Type I bipolar disorder (manic depression)
  • Type II bipolar disorder (which involves hypomania)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Childhood psychiatric issues
  • Specific phobias
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Violent behaviors
  • Libido concerns
  • Psychotropic medication adverse side effects
  • Anger and rage
  • Sex or gambling addiction 
  • Substance abuse
  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Personality disorders
  • Hallucinations
  • Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia
  • Sleep disorders like insomnia 

Psychiatrist Vs. Psychologist

If you’ve never seen a mental health provider before, you may be confused about all the different titles and specialties in the psychology field. One important distinction is that between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. Psychologists usually have masters or doctorate degrees (PsyDs or PhDs) in psychology. They can be clinical or counseling psychologists and can conduct a variety of talk therapies. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, have medical (MD) degrees and can prescribe medications in addition to conducting psychotherapy.

Book an Online Appointment with a Psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA

When you reach out to the Thriveworks office in Berkeley, CA, our highly trained team can match you to a psychiatrist quickly. Most clients can meet with their provider within 24-48 hours of their initial call or online appointment booking. Thriveworks psychiatrists can meet clients online at their convenience. They can also be reached by phone or email between sessions. 

Thriveworks psychiatrists are fully licensed and accept most major health insurance plans. For people who don’t have health insurance coverage, Thriveworks offers affordable self-pay rates. And clients don’t have to wait. Over 97% of Thriveworks appointments begin on-time or early.

Book your psychiatry session at Thriveworks in Berkeley, CA today to find out what makes our providers so exceptional. We can’t wait to help deliver the premium mental health services you deserve.

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 Berkeley therapists and counselors accept 20 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • Imperial Health Plan Medicare Advantage

  • JP Farley Corporation

  • Magellan

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Self-pay costs at Berkeley
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

Thriveworks Berkeley has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in California.

4.5 Thriveworks Berkeley reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Berkeley is located at the intersection of Milvia St and Addison St. We share a building with Ace Hardware, Bay Psychiatric Associates, Bradley Engwall MD, Magoosh, Young Musicians Choral, Voltaiq, and Kaila Compton MD. Across Milvia Street is Berber Athletic Club and The Medak Center, and across Addison Street is Opticos Design Inc, MSCI, and Berkeley Electronic Press.

Phone number

(510) 544-8907

Languages spoken by CA providers

  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in PT

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in PT

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