Abnormal Psychology

Clinical Diagnosis and Assessment 87

been required to acquire detailed knowledge of research methods used in the fi eld

of psychopathology.

Psychiatric nurses have an M.S.N. (master of science in nursing) degree, plus

a C.S. (clinical specialization) certifi cate in psychiatric nursing; a psychiatric nurse

may also be certifi ed as a psychiatric nurse practitioner (N.P.). Psychiatric nurses

normally work in a hospital or clinic to provide psychotherapy; in these settings, they

work closely with physicians to administer and monitor patient medications.

Psychiatric nurses are also qualifi ed to provide psychotherapy in private practice

and are permitted in some states to monitor and prescribe medications indepen-

dently (Haber et al., 2003).

Although not considered a mental health professional, a general practitioner (GP),

or family doctor—the doctor you may see once a year for a checkup—may inquire

about psychological symptoms, may diagnose a psychological disorder, and may

recommend to patients that they see a mental health professional. Responding

to pressure to reduce insurance companies’ medical costs, general practitioners

frequently prescribe medication for some psychological disorders. However, stud-

ies have found that treatment with medication is less effective when prescribed by a

family doctor than when prescribed by psychiatrists, who are specialists in mental

disorders and more familiar with the nuances of such treatment (Lin et al., 2000;

Wang et al., 2005; Wilson, Duszynski, & Mant, 2003). Responding to general prac-

titioners, medical staff in hospitals’ emergency departments must also determine

whether some individuals who arrive there have a psychological disorder and, if so,

what immediate treatment to recommend.

Mental Health Professionals with Master’s Degrees

In addition to psychiatric nurses, some other mental health professionals have mas-

ter’s degrees. Most social workers have an M.S.W. (master of social work) degree

and may have had training to provide psychotherapy to help individuals and fami-

lies. Social workers also teach clients how to fi nd and benefi t from the appropriate

social services offered in their community. For example, they may help clients to ap-

ply for Medicare or may facilitate home visits from health care professionals. Most

states also license marriage and family therapists (M.F.T.s), who have at least a mas-

ter’s degree and are trained to provide psychotherapy to couples and families. Other

therapists may have a master’s degree (M.A.) in some area of counseling or clinical

psychology, which indicates that their training consisted of fewer courses and re-

search experience, and less supervised clinical training than that of their doctoral-

level counterparts. Some counselors may have had particular training in pastoral

counseling, which provides counseling from a spiritual or faith-based perspective.

Table 3.5 reviews the different types of mental health clinicians.

Type of Clinician Specifi c Title and Credentials

Doctoral-Level

Psychologists

Clinical psychologists (including clinical neuropsychologists)

and counseling psychologists have a Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.

degree and have advanced training in the treatment of mental

illness.

Medical Personnel Psychiatrists and general practitioners have a M.D. degree;

psychiatrists have had advanced training in the treatment of

mental illness. Psychiatric nurses have a M.S.N. degree and

have advanced training in the treatment of mental illness.

Master’s-Level Mental

Health Professionals

Social workers with a master’s degree (M.S.W.), marriage and

family therapists (M.F.T.), and master’s level counselors (M.A.)

are mental health clinicians who have received specifi c training

in helping people with problems in daily living or with mental

illness. Psychiatric nurses have master’s level training.

Table 3.5 • Clinicians Who Diagnose Mental Disorders

Psychiatric nurse

A mental health professional who has an

M.S.N. degree, plus a C.S. certifi cate in

psychiatric nursing.

Social worker

A mental health professional who has an

M.S.W. degree and may have had training to

provide psychotherapy to help individuals

and families.