What are the different types of mental health professionals?

In Canada, roughly half of us will deal with some kind of mental illness by the time we’re 40. So, who should you turn to when you need help? What types of mental health professionals are there?

There are more than 654,000 mental health professionals in Canada. This includes doctors, counsellors, community services and more — and each offers slightly different support. 

Which mental health professionals are medical doctors?

• Family doctors can provide mental health support and referrals to specific programs or specialists. Talking to your family doctor can be a good place to start since they’ll have a sense of your history and can refer you to support suitable for you. 
• Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental illness. These doctors work in a few different settings, including general and psychiatric hospitals as well as in community-based clinics or family health teams. They’re trained to diagnose and treat mental illness from a biological perspective and provide medical treatments.  

What is the difference between going to a medical doctor vs. another health care provider?

The most important thing is to find a provider that works for you, but there are some key differences that make family doctors or psychiatrists different from other mental health professionals.  

• Psychologists typically have a doctorate in psychology, though some can practise with a master’s degree. Psychologists use psychological tests to assess, diagnose and help people better understand, and possibly change, their behaviour. 
• Doctors can diagnose mental illnesses and prescribe medication, which is particularly important for more serious conditions that cannot be treated through talk therapy alone. In some provinces, psychiatric nurses are also able to prescribe medication.
• Mental health care provided by a medical doctor is covered by public health insurance. 

What’s the difference between other mental health professionals? 

Here are some of the other forms of mental health support you may encounter. 

• Psychotherapist: Mostly provide talk therapy. This term can be applied to different types of counsellors and therapists and regulation varies across the country. 
• Social worker: Provide talk therapy and look at issues in the context of the social determinants of health (e.g., income, education, cultural background).  
• Clinical counsellor: Focus on helping people overcome specific stressors or challenges, like money issues, addiction or behavioural issues. 
• Occupational therapist: Are trained to help people overcome barriers that are stopping them from everyday activities like getting dressed, engaging in hobbies or creating community. 
• Other options include community leaders and, in some provinces, registered psychiatric nurses.