Can an Lpc M.ed diagnose things like OCD or bi-polar or does that require a psychologist or psychiatris?
914508
An LPC means this person is a Licensed Professional Counselor.  This means they have met specific qualifications, such as: a graduate degree in psych or related field (MEd. is a Masters in Education, so take that for what it's worth), a specific number of credits of graduate education that includes specific areas of content (in PA it is 60, and includes ethics, abnormal psych, etc), a specific number of hours of supervised clinical experience (again, in PA it is 3600), and the licensure exam.\n\nI do not know how the requirements vary state to state, but the exam that I personally would take is national.  The second link tells you - by state - if they are legally (and ethically) allowed to diagnose (Dx) and treat (Tx), as well as the official title for the person.  The LPC is official, for example, and the MEd. is simply the extension of their degree.  \n\nI hope that helps a bit.  And as suggested by the other contributor, if medication is warranted, they should either provide a referral to a LICENSED psychiatrist, or recommend that you seek one for medical evaluation.  Do not rely on your primary care physician to prescribe.  His or her training in psychiatric medications is not as extensive, or as specialized, as a psychiatrist.
500545
short answer, yes. Long answer, yes, since psychologist aren't allowed to give prescriptions they often refer patients back to their own gp, who IS allowed to prescribe medicines. Besides, all general practitioners have had training in the psychological field.
77068
Both psychologists and psychiatrists are mental health professionals that do assessment and treatment for persons with emotional problems and issues. \n\nPsychologists are trained at the PhD (doctoral) level, which consists of approximately 5 years of training past the bachelor's degree, followed by a year of supervised experience. Psychologists are trained in the basics of human behavior, research methods, clinical methods, and assessment, including psychological testing. Psychologists tend to take a social or intrapersonal view about development and treatment. \n\nPsychiatrists are trained first in medicine and have the doctor of medicine degree (MD). They go to medical school (4 years after bachelor's degree) and then 3 or 4 years of residency to learn to be a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists tend to work with more severe illnesses, illnesses with a biological component, can prescribe medication and admit people to hospitals. Psychiatrists tend to take a biological view of development and treatment.\n\nBoth psychiatrists and psychologists do talk therapy. Psychologists do psychological testing, and psychiatrists prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are more likely to work with a hospital practice. Psychiatrists are paid more.\n\nHope this helps. Check out the websites below.
680811
Only a doctor (an MD) can prescribe antidepressants and antianxiety drugs. And psychiatrists are MDs. Psychologists and other mental health professionals can't prescribe drugs, but a medical doctor who is not a psychiatrist can.
391145
OCD and Panic Disorder are 2 of several Anxiety Disorders. OCD has to do with obsessions and compulsions, and Panic Disorder is getting panic attacks. Bipolar and Major Depressive Disorder are 2 types of Mood Disorders. In Bipolar, the person shifts between depressive and manic episodes. you can't be diagnosed with MDD and Bipolar at the same time. ADHD has to do with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There are overlapping symptoms in each disorder you mentioned and a psychologist should be able to differentiate between them using various methods. You can have more than one diagnosis, but not all of those at the same time, as I mentioned.\n\nFor some reason people started mentioning schizophrenia, which is none of the disorders in question. Wierd.
310662
I'm not one, but know a couple.  I'm not understanding whether or not you are already in medical school, or if you're younger, and have little knowledge of the field.\n\nA psychiatrist must be an MD first.  That means medical school, internship, the whole works.  It takes a very long time to get your credentials.  A psychiatrist can perform operations on patients, as well as counsel and prescribe.\n\nIf you are not about to become an MD, but want to help people with problems, you might consider looking into psychology.  As a psychologist, you would not be an MD, and not allowed to prescribe medication.  You would major in psychology in college, and need to get a masters degree, and possibly more.  A lot of work, but rewarding.\n\nI would not have answered this question if I thought any psychiatrists were actually on this site.  Although, you never know...  Good luck.
764878
Yes, a doctor can prescribe it to you as often as he likes without you seeing a pshyciatrist.  Where do you people come up with some of your information around here!!!!  Who told you that a doctor can't prescribe that for you???
867850
Yes, it dose. I’ve seen a counselor myself (for reasons I’d rather not disclose), and I can vouch for the helpfulness thereof. I’ve even heard it said that to become a good psychologist, you should have any personal issues addressed to another counselor. Everyone has mental and emotional issues just like everyone gets sick from time to time. There’s no shame in seeing a counselor; to say that neither you nor anyone in your family tree has ever had a mental problem is just as reasonable as saying no one in your family tree has ever had a cold. If you feel that you need to speak to a councilor, go ahead, and I wish you the best of luck.
113338
Dependant upon where you are located, there may not be any relevant academics required.\n Some Canadian provinces require nothing for psychometry, or counselling services....
1039898
Therapy, medication, and practice in living are the only ways to treat OCD and other mental health issues. If the treatment you are currently getting is not helping you, it may be time to get a second opinion from another Dr or Therapist. There are often more than one approach to therapy or type o therapy. Hope this helps.
481410
Pastors are not experts in diagnosing personality disorders unless the are also physicians, psychologists, or social workers.  This one sounds like he's not, since ethical clinicians do not diagnose people by remote control (i.e second hand descriptions only)  So screw the pastor's noise.\n\nYour therapist's opinion may be more helpful. If you've been working on your troubles for some time together then she has the training, experience, and first hand knowledge of you to suggest meaningful descriptions of your mental state.\n\nWhile it feels nice to have a label for the troubling way you may act, there is such a thing as having a narcissistic personality without having NPD.  \n\nThe distinction made between "normal" and "disordered" personalities is rejected by some experts. The "diagnostic thresholds" between normal and abnormal are either absent or weakly supported. The judgment whether a behavioral pattern is normal or disordered is also highly subjective. There is  little diagnostic literature to support what distinguishes personality styles (personality), from personality disorders and much is left to clinical judgment.
605552
doctor who should send you to a shrink - they can test you...\n\nthis can be chemical inbalances - the reason for the doctor..
872056
consult your psychologist or psychiatrist
177691
psychiatrist,\nMD doctors
432271
With additional training, yes. Most doctoral programs offer one semester of physiological psychology and one semester of psychopharmacology.  That isn't exactly enough to prescribe medications competently.  \nI know that the states that are allowing psychologists to prescribe meds do require additional training and supervision.  \nWith this training and support, I'm all for it.  I have found that psychologists are most accurate diagnosticians. I have met several psychiatrists who were way off base or made up diagnoses that did not exist.  \nYou will also be surprised as to how much knowledge a clinician can learn just through observation and treatment with a patient.  I worked with schizophrenics for 4 years and by the time I quit, I knew every antipsychotic, therapeutic dosages, appropriate WBCs.... \nSo, patients will be able to get more thorough, well-informed treatment.  \nBut lets also look at it from an economical perspective.  Right now, most patients see both a psychiatrist (about $75 a visit) and a psychologist (another $75 a visit).  I imagine that a psychologist with prescribing privileges would be paid a bit more, but probably not $150 a session.  So, it may actually be cheaper for HMOs.
185558
Find a psychiatrist who treats by psychoanalysis.  Just call around to psychiatrist's offices and find out the type of practice.  If they are Freudian or Jungian, there will probably be psychoanalysis.
899894
Don't try to diagnose yourself, you need to see a psychiatric doctor to get some help.  They can diagnose you properly as well.