Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

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 Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz 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?

Even if your friends and family don’t talk about mental health issues, chances are that someone you know is dealing with mental illness, an emotional disorder, or another mental health challenge. These matters can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, or social status.

A board-certified psychiatric provider with experience preventing and treating mental health issues can help you understand and address your specific problems. When you’re ready to take the next step, our licensed psychiatric providers at Thriveworks Counseling in Santa Cruz, CA are here to help. Reach out to schedule your first appointment.

Would a Psychiatrist Be Able To Help Me?

You don’t need to be suffering from suicidal thoughts or panic attacks to see a mental health professional. While psychiatric providers do help clients overcome severe symptoms, they can also help when you’re feeling down, experiencing addictive behaviors, and a number of other issues.

Some of the reasons people seek a psychiatric provider’s help include:

  • Feeling depressed or anxious
  • Mood shifts or swings
  • Substance abuse
  • Notable personality changes
  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • Eating disorders
  • Excessive anger or rage
  • Sleep disorders
  • Obsessive or compulsive behaviors
  • Trauma or abuse
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Psychiatric disorders

If you’d like to move past your struggles, regain your energy, and take pleasure in life again, then support from a psychiatric provider might be the right decision for you. Consider scheduling an appointment with a board-certified psychiatric provider at Thriveworks in Santa Cruz, CA today.

What Do Psychiatrists Do?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has gone to medical school and completed a psychiatry residency. They are highly equipped to treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues whether they are mild, moderate, or severe. Treatment can involve talk therapy, prescription medications, or a combination of the two. By getting to know you and learning about your background, health, and concerns, a psychiatric provider can diagnose and address your specific problems.

There are several types of therapy that mental health professionals employ to treat their clients. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one approach that helps individuals address unhelpful ways of thinking that may contribute to worsening symptoms. To help clients overcome these unhelpful thought patterns, CBT treatment encourages clients to verbalize their thoughts and beliefs so they can start to adjust them under the guidance of a trained professional.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a subset of CBT that teaches clients problem-solving skills they can use to reduce the severity of their symptoms. For example, clients may learn how to tolerate distress effectively or regulate their emotions with self-care habits, meditation exercises, and coping skills. Interpersonal therapy, another type of treatment, focuses on your relationships and social interactions to help you spot negative patterns and learn strategies to understand and deal more positively with others.

The board-certified psychiatric providers at Thriveworks Counseling in Santa Cruz, CA are trained to deal with all kinds of psychological problems. Seeking professional help can be your first step in meeting and overcoming these challenges.

Schedule a Psychiatry Appointment at Thriveworks in Santa Cruz, CA

If you’re ready to get help and support, consider scheduling an appointment with an experienced, compassionate Thriveworks psychiatric provider. Together you will work toward building a happier, more balanced, and more rewarding life.

You can schedule a session for a weekday, in the evening, or on the weekend, and new clients are often able to make an appointment within 24-48 hours. We accept a variety of insurance plans and offer online psychiatry appointments by video so you can get help from the comfort of your own home.

If you’re struggling with a mental health issue, you don’t need to go it alone. Make an appointment with Thriveworks in Santa Cruz, CA to start getting support and professional help today.

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 California therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • Imperial Health Plan Medicare Advantage

  • JP Farley Corporation

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Self-pay costs at Santa Cruz
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 Santa Cruz has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in California.

4.5 Thriveworks Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz is off of Soquel Avenue, and next to Bank of America. We share an office building with HearingLife Hearing Aid Center.

Phone number

(831) 218-7323

Languages spoken by CA providers

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 PT

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 PT

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