Spectrum Behavioral
Health has the following types of clinicians to offer:
Psychologists
Practicing, licensed psychologists hold doctoral degrees in psychology from
university programs approved by the American Psychological Association. Psychology
is the broad branch of science that deals with the understanding of the mind and
behavior in all their complexities.
In addition to a doctoral degree and training
in psychological research, clinical and counseling psychologists also serve a
one-year clinical internship, and one to two years of post-doctoral, post-internship
supervised experience are generally required for licensure. Clinical and counseling
psychologists have specialized training in many diagnostic, testing and
psychotherapeutic techniques and are qualified to work with all mental
health conditions. Psychologists are trained not only in diagnostic and treatment methods, but also in such areas as learning, perception, motivation, cognition, social behavior, biological aspects of behavior, and human development.
Clinical Social Workers
A clinical social worker must have a college degree,
plus at least two years of graduate training in a
program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Certified social workers have a master's or
doctoral degree in Social Work (MSW, DSW, or Ph.D.)
from a program approved by the Council on Social Work
Education, have had two years of post-degree
experience in the practice of social work, and must
have passed an examination given by the Academy of
Certified Social Workers (ACSW).
Psychiatrists
Psychiatry is the medical specialty focusing on the understanding and treatment
of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. A Psychiatrist first becomes
a Medical Doctor and then completes at least three years of postgraduate
Psychiatric Residency training. During that training particular emphasis is
placed on related medical fields such as neurology and endocrinology. A Board
Certified Psychiatrist has, following Residency training, successfully passed
examinations administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
All Spectrum Behavioral Health Psychiatrists are Board Eligible or Board Certified.
Psychiatrists have special expertise in diagnosing Psychiatric and other medical illnesses that
present with mental and behavioral abnormalities. While also trained in psychotherapeutic techniques,
psychiatrists primarily employ psychopharmacologic treatment. Psychopharmacology is the science of
the use of medications, such as antidepressant medicines, to treat psychiatric illnesses. A patient’s
other medical conditions and other medications need to be taken into account in order to utilize
psychiatric medications safely and effectively.
For many Psychiatric illnesses the combination of medication and psychological treatment is most
effective in relieving suffering and improving coping.
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