DP8- The Roles and Differences of Mental Health Professionals Flashcards
4 types of mental health professionals
-Mental health workers
-Doctors
-Psychologists
-Psychiatrists
Doctor (GP)
-Will record any behavioural symptoms or
family history
-investigate whether there are any environmental factors that may be encouraging or exacerbating the symptoms
-Decide whether to refer a patient to another mental health professional
Mental health worker
(social worker, counsellor, recovery and rehabilitation workers)
Covers a number of different type of workers who care for people with mental health issues.
-registered nursers with further training in psychological therapies
-assessment of conditions, giving medications
visiting people in their homes
-Psychologists
-Professionals who study mental states and perceptual, cognitive, emotional and social processes and behaviour
-Referral is not needed to see a psychologist (access to some services under Medicare do require a GP referral)
-Cannot prescribe medications
as they have not undertaken a medical degree
Psychiatrists
-Develop treatment and support interventions for people suffering from more severe mental health conditions that require medications
-Referral is needed from GP
-Can prescribe medication
-Medical training to become a doctor
Process of diagnoses
-Talking with the person to understand their experience
-Recording in detail their development history
-Undertaking cognitive assessments
-If the person is young, the psychologist will also talk to parents/guardians and teachers.