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 Fredericksburg, VA 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 Fredericksburg 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?
What Do Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (NPs) Do? How Can They Help?
If you’re not familiar with what it is that psychiatric NPs do, it might be difficult to understand how they can help you. For starters, our psychiatric NPs use their unique skill set to:
- Prescribe clients helpful medication in conjunction with therapy sessions
- Help with managing eating disorders
- Help clients manage mood or behavioral disorders that are disruptive and detrimental to their quality of life
- Treat clients as they recover from drug or alcohol addiction
Not everyone will benefit from connecting with a psychiatric NP, but for those who do, your treatment plan will vary depending on your mental health needs. Mental health conditions and disorders manifest differently for everyone, but some of the issues that our psychiatric NPs commonly assist in treating include:
- Emotional regulation for those who struggle with controlling anger or grief
- Behavioral disorders, such as ADHD
- Anxiety disorders, like OCD or PTSD
- Emotional disorders, including major depression
It’s important never to try to diagnose yourself with a disorder or mental health condition. Instead, connecting with one of our psychiatric NPs is a great way to get professional insight from a medical doctor and licensed therapist.
The Benefits of Online Psychiatry
Our modern lifestyles are hectic; it’s no wonder that virtual sessions at Thriveworks have become so popular. Online psychiatry is a great way for people who are interested in:
- Reducing the anxiety some people feel about seeking mental health services. When you’re able to talk from the location of your choice, it can be easier to discuss concepts or situations related to your mental health needs
- Prioritizing their mental health, especially for those with busy work or travel schedules. Parents or those taking care of elderly relatives can have the opportunity to take care of themselves, too.
- Skipping the commute to a brick-and-mortar location. As long as you have reliable internet and a private area to talk with your NP, you’re set to attend your session from home, the office, or wherever you prefer.
Online psychiatry is just another way that Thriveworks puts you first. We’re also committed to making sure that your virtual experience is safe—our online psychiatry sessions adhere to guidelines from both the APA and HIPAA. There’s no need to worry about your privacy being compromised, so you can focus on getting the most out of your session.
Schedule a Psychiatry Session with Thriveworks in Fredericksburg, VA
When you decide to reach out to our Fredericksburg office, you’ll be assisted by our team of scheduling specialists, who can assist you with each step. They’re not robots, but people who are there to help. Our scheduling team is also available seven days a week just for you. And when you do become a Thriveworks client, you get access to benefits like:
- Weekend and evening scheduling options
- A wide range of accepted insurance
- Quick response times from your provider’s office: Most clients have their first session within 7 days of calling in for the first time.
- Respect for your time: 97% say their appointments start on time, or even a little before the set time
Dealing with mental health conditions and disorders can be challenging; things can be even more difficult when we decide to face these issues by ourselves. Thankfully, there’s no need to do that when the psychiatric NPs at Thriveworks can partner with you. If you’re ready to start dealing with the obstacles you’re facing, contact our Fredericksburg, VA office to start moving past them.
