Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

10,499 people sought psychiatry/medication help in Illinois 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 17 psychiatric NPs in Illinois 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 Woodridge, IL 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 Woodridge 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 psychotherapist Alfred Adler once stated, “Follow your heart, but carry your brain with you.” This would be an apt way to summarize the services of a psychiatrist. Many people have the misunderstanding that psychiatrists only prescribe psychotropic medication like antidepressants, and that they’re more clinically-minded than compassionate. But psychiatrists do a lot more than prescribe meds. They diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental health conditions using a variety of approaches, not just pharmaceutical ones. They consider peoples’ underlying neurochemistry–psychiatrists are medical doctors, after all–but they also treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis or the physical self. 

The licensed, board-certified psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL have the expertise, insights, and compassion to help clients who are experiencing a mental health condition. Psychiatrists specialize in psychological and behavioral health. But seeing a psychiatrist doesn’t mean that you are mentally ill. Complex factors like environment and genetics can influence one’s mental health and there are wide variations in healthy functioning. If you suspect that you have a mental health condition and need a qualified professional to address your concerns, Thriveworks can help match you to an exceptional psychiatrist. 

What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?

For the purposes of therapy, psychiatrists can prescribe medication and psychologists can’t. But of course the distinction is more nuanced than that. Psychiatrists graduated from medical school with MD (doctor of medicine) degrees. At medical school these doctors learned about the physiological influences on mental health conditions. They also received training in psychotherapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). At Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL, psychiatrists can prescribe and manage client medications through online appointments. 

Psychologists can be counseling psychologists or clinical psychologists. As far as degrees are concerned, they usually have PsyDs or PhDs (both doctorate degrees). They’re trained in various psychotherapy approaches. 

Thriveworks mental health providers also include licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). 

Is Anxiety Disorder a Mental Health Condition? 

The term mental illness has fallen out of favor in the medical establishment. Rather, mental health professionals use terms like mental health conditions to describe different psychological and behavioral states. But diagnosing a disorder can still be an effective way to guide psychiatric treatment. Certain symptoms might demand certain treatment protocols.

At Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL, licensed psychiatrists can treat any of the following mental health conditions, and more:

  • Depression disorders like major depression and postpartum depression
  • Anxiety disorders like social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and agoraphobia
  • Panic disorder 
  • Type I bipolar disorder (manic depression)
  • Type II bipolar disorder 
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Addiction
  • Child psychiatric issues
  • Neurodiversity
  • Specific phobias of objects or situations
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Adverse side effects from psychiatric medications
  • Personality disorders
  • Anorexia and bulimia eating disorders
  • Sleep disorders 

What Are Personality Disorders?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which psychiatrists use to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, describes the following types of personality disorders:

  • Paranoid
  • Schizoid
  • Schizotypal
  • Narcissistic
  • Avoidant
  • Dependent
  • Antisocial
  • Borderline
  • Histrionic
  • Obsessive-compulsive

Personality disorders can cause major disruptions in someone’s life, affecting relationships, employment, moods, and self-image. Psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL can treat personality disorders with therapy and/or medication. 

What Happens in a Psychiatry Session?

In an initial psychiatry session at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL, the doctor will conduct a full evaluation of the client. This evaluation might include the following elements:

  • A comprehensive discussion of therapy goals
  • A discussion of symptoms, both cognitive, emotional, and behavioral
  • Psychological tests 
  • Physical examinations
  • Lifestyle questions about substance use, nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc.
  • A full medical history
  • Family medical history 
  • A full psychosocial assessment of a person’s core relationships, support system, and home life

After this initial evaluation, a client and a psychiatrist can begin developing an effective treatment plan. This plan can change over time based on client feedback and responses. Treatment from a psychiatrist might include the following approaches:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Other cognitive and behavioral therapies
  • Lifestyle modifications
  • Psychosocial interventions
  • Holistic treatments like mindfulness and deep breathing
  • Relationship counseling from a Thriveworks licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) 
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) 
  • Prescription medication and ongoing medication management 

See an Exceptional Psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL

The licensed psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL accept most major forms of health insurance coverage. Psychiatry appointments are medical appointments. At Thriveworks, psychiatrists see clients through online sessions, which are just as effective and of the same high quality as traditional, in-person therapy. As an additional benefit, Thriveworks clients can access their provider between sessions by phone or email. 

Don’t wait to get the mental health support that you deserve. Call the Thriveworks office today and you may be able to meet with a top-rated psychiatrist as early as tomorrow. 

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 Woodridge therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners IPA

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Kane County

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Silver Cross

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | PPO

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Choice Care (Humana)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Woodridge
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 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Love my Doctor. Love all the reminders I get for appointments.
Legina Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Dr Smith is excellent
Woodbridge Jun 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have known Dr. Frederick Smith for over 20 years. He is extremely passionate about his work and ensuring the well-being of his clients. I have witnessed his growth and watched him mature personally and professionally. He is a consummate leader in the mental health field providing advocacy, care, and compassion for the client he serves.
Read more I have known Dr. Frederick Smith for over 20 years. He is extremely passionate about his work and ensuring the well-being of his clients. I have witnessed his growth and watched him mature personally and professionally. He is a consummate leader in the mental health field providing advocacy, care, and compassion for the client he serves.
Woodbridge Jun 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Woodridge is near the corner of 75th Street and Janes Avenue. We are behind CITGO and McDonald’s.

Phone number

(331) 276-6492

Languages spoken by IL providers

  • English
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in CT

Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in CT

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