Getting the Mental Health Help You Need and Can Afford

Medical professionals who treat depression fall into two groups: Those who can prescribe antidepressant medications and those who can't.

Any medical professional with a medical degree can prescribe antidepressants. Family physicians, internists, and ob-gyns prescribe the majority of antidepressants but are usually not trained to provide psychotherapy or counseling.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating mental disorders. In addition to prescribing antidepressants, psychiatrists usually also offer talk therapy.

Professionals who do not prescribe medications and offer only talk therapy include psychologists, social workers, and licensed professional counselors.

The severity of your symptoms, your preferences, the presence of other illnesses or personality problems, and your medical history are just some of the factors that affect treatment choices.