Who Should You Talk to About Depression?

Mental Health Professionals You Can Talk to

Depression can be a heavy burden, but fortunately, it’s not one you have to carry alone. Mental health professionals can offer expert advice, support, and coping tools so you can learn to manage symptoms of depression in the healthiest ways possible. The best type of mental health professional or clinician to see will depend on your condition, goals for depression treatment, and whether or not you might need medication for depression.

Primary care physicians

For many, the journey of addressing depression starts with Primary Care Physicians (PCPs), who are Medical Doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Known for their general medical expertise, they provide initial assessments and can prescribe antidepressants, referring patients for specialized psychiatric care. That said, PCPs can be an essential part of ongoing mental health care plans.

Education and training: PCPs are trained medical doctors, and as such, they’ve completed a minimum of 4 years of medical school, residency, and sometimes a fellowship before legally practicing on their own.

Psychiatrists

If you’re having trouble figuring out who to talk to about depression, psychiatrists, who are medical doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), play a crucial role in providing treatment. These specialists, with full medical degrees, can prescribe medication in addition to diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. While they can offer psychotherapy services, many do not. Instead, they might provide referrals to trusted therapists.

Psychiatrists are also equipped to help with medication management and can suggest depression medications to treat your symptoms. If you’ve been seeing a therapist or a counselor for depression, but your symptoms are not getting better or worsening, you might want to make an appointment with a psychiatrist to discuss options for antidepressant medication.

Education and training: Psychiatrists have the same medical degree (MD) as other doctors. They must complete their undergraduate degree before attending med school. They also have a psychiatric care residency.

Psychiatric nurses

In both outpatient and inpatient settings, Psychiatric Nurses, including Registered Nurses (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP), offer a wide range of services that can help someone with depression. Their job as health care providers entails assessing patients, managing treatment plans, and providing therapy in some regions.

Psychiatric nurses are often a pivotal part of care plans in hospitals and mental health facilities. They can provide invaluable support that extends well beyond typical office hours. They’re commonly involved in continuous patient observation and monitoring advancement and are trained and able to act quickly when needed.

Most psychiatric nurses have roles that span from managing medication to offering psychoeducation about depression. Their diverse skill set makes them instrumental in creating environments conducive to recovery, whether inside a clinic or at home.

Education and training: Psychiatric nurses will have a master’s degree at minimum, and clinical nurse specialists (advanced nurses) will have more prominent roles and education and can offer therapy and prescribe medication in some states.

Counselors and therapists 

Counselors and therapists, often holding titles such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), are the most commonly sought-after mental health professionals people talk to about depression.

Therapy sessions generally consist of psychotherapy — also known as talk therapy — to teach patients coping skills that are beneficial in managing symptoms of depression.

Education and training: These professionals undergo 2-3 years of graduate training, specializing in areas like substance abuse or school counseling.

Clinical psychologists

Clinical psychologists, typically holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), focus on diagnosing mental health conditions and providing psychotherapy. Psychologists play a critical role in treating depression by helping patients identify and change unhealthy or harmful thought and behavior patterns.

Unlike psychiatrists, they generally do not prescribe medication and instead emphasize therapeutic interventions. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication in most states.

Education and training: Many psychologists do a 5-year doctoral program that results in them earning a PhD. They can also complete a course of study that’s less research-based, known as a PsyD.

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), integral to settings like hospitals and social service agencies, bring a unique perspective by connecting mental health issues with broader life situations. For example, they can offer services and help with relationships with a loved one, employment, or physical well-being that have been impacted by depression.

Education and training: The training for a LCSW includes about two years of graduate education plus an internship, followed by supervised field experience.

Telepsychiatrists and online therapists

Online therapists and telepsychiatrists offer therapy and psychiatric care through digital platforms, making access to mental health services convenient and accessible. They’ve played a growing role in the past several years, particularly during the height of the pandemic, when in-person care was forcibly limited. Their value continues to increase as they ensure access to care for those in rural and underserved areas.

Talkspace makes online therapy accessible, affordable, and convenient for people seeking treatment for depression who may not want the more traditional, in-person therapy format. Talkspace has licensed online providers who can offer mental health services designed to combat depression and psychiatrists who can even prescribe medication when needed.

Education and training: Online therapists and psychiatrists have the same education and training as counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists who offer in-person care.

Depression Support from the Comfort of Your Home

Enduring depression can be exhausting, but getting help shouldn’t be. Online therapy platforms like Talkspace simplify the process, so you don’t even have to leave your home to get therapy for depression.

If you can’t figure out who to talk to about depression, consider reaching out to Talkspace, where you’ll be connected with licensed and trained mental health professionals who specialize in treating depression via text, video conference, or chat appointments. You can find personalized care tailored to your specific condition, symptoms, needs, and schedule, so therapy can fit into your life and offer the most help possible.

Whether you are experiencing low-grade depression or more severe depression, Talkspace can help. Connect with a therapist or psychiatrist today for support.