Find a Psychiatrist

How to Choose a Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who works to prevent, diagnose and/or treat mental, emotional and behavioral problems. A psychiatrist's medical training allows him to look for physical causes for your problems and order medical tests and prescription drugs, while conducting talk therapies.

The work of psychologists and psychiatrists is often confused. The biggest difference, though, is the medical degree a psychiatrist must earn in order to be licensed and certified. A psychologist may earn a PhD, meaning he may be addressed as "doctor," but that is not the same as a MD, or medical doctor, earned by a psychiatrist.

A Psychiatrist's Training and Credentials

Psychiatrists complete four years of medical school plus four years in a psychiatry residency program. Their education requires time spent in classrooms, medical offices and hospitals, working directly with patients and other medical professionals.

There are two forms of residency programs: one leads to a medical doctor (MD) and the other leads to an osteopathic doctor (DO). Both programs require a similar amount of education but focus differently; a MD practices allopathic medicine, considered to be conventional medicine in the United States, and a DO learns more about the human musculoskeletal system.

Some psychiatrists choose to specialize in areas, such as child psychiatry or forensic psychiatry.

Since psychiatrists are medical doctors, they may also be certified members of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists. Board membership requires frequent recertification, and to accomplish that, the psychiatrist must complete annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements.

How to Choose the Right Psychiatrist for You

To find the right fit between you and your psychiatrist, you'll want to identify possibilities, research credentials and then assess the doctor's capabilities for partnership.

It is important to understand that good psychiatrists are at a premium in the United States. Don't be alarmed if it is difficult to identify a good psychiatrist. You may want to discuss your needs with your primary care physician. You may learn that a different type of mental health provider may be an appropriate next step. Many of the steps listed here will help you find a good psychologist as well.

Make a List of Possibilities

• Because psychiatry usually requires you to invest a great deal of time, energy and emotion in building a trusting relationship, it's important to find other patients who have had experiences with psychiatrists they trust. If possible, begin the process by asking other people you trust for names of psychiatrists they recommend.
• Do a search on UCompareHealthCare.com for the names of psychiatrists in your area.
• Check with your insurance company for a list of psychiatrists who work with your insurance.

Compare these lists to find names in common with your needs. Those will be the psychiatrists you want to spend time learning about by researching their credentials and capabilities.

Research a Psychiatrist's Credentials

Using the list of names you have chosen, look for the following information on UCompareHealthCare.com:

• A MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school and residency program.
• Completion of a fellowship, if you seek help in a specialty area.
• Board certification from the board that makes sense for your needs. This may be the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists, for example. A master list of medical boards can be found through the American Board of Medical Specialties. The master list of osteopathic boards is located at the American Osteopathic Association.
• Licensure from the state in which you will seek care. The Federation of State Medical Boards provides a master list of licensing bodies.
• A review of possible disciplinary actions. This information can be difficult to find, but the most obvious will be listed here on the UCompareHealthCare.com website. Further information can sometimes be found by inputting the doctor's name and location in to a search engine.

Assess a Psychiatrist's Capabilities

Once you have vetted your list based on the criteria above, you'll want to ask the following questions to determine which doctors are worth meeting:

• Is this psychiatrist on the list of providers who work with my insurance?
• Most psychiatric inpatients are not treated by their outpatient psychiatrist. Is this psychiatrist affiliated with a hospital that is important to you?
• Is this psychiatrist's location convenient for me? What are the office hours? Is the office nearby, located on a bus route or easy to access if I use a wheelchair?
• What happens if I call this psychiatrist in an emergency? How quickly will I get a return call?
• If the doctor is not available, is there someone else who can help me if I make a phone call or need an appointment?

If you are satisfied with your answers, make an appointment and consider these other questions:

• Does the psychiatrist see you in a reasonable amount of time of your appointment time?
• Do you feel the psychiatrist is able to understand you? Several studies have shown that the "match" or alliance between a patient and therapist is the most important variable in a successful outcome.
• Does the psychiatrist listen to your questions and not interrupt you?
• Is the psychiatrist respectful?
• Does the psychiatrist explain the meaning of difficult terms and otherwise communicate effectively with you?
• Does the psychiatrist spend enough time with you?
• Are you comfortable with this psychiatrist?

Finding the right psychiatrist may seem like a long, involved process, however, knowing that this doctor may partner with you for a lifetime makes it worth your time and effort.

Trisha Torrey
Guide to Patient Empowerment, About.com
Learn more about finding the right Psychiatrist for you at About.com.