What Kinds of Clinicians Are There?

Families First Counseling & Psychiatry offers psychiatric medication management services for clients who have psychotherapy services from other providers and other agencies.

Treatment begins with an evaluation. You will meet with a clinician who will ask you about the problems for which you are seeking help. The clinician will determine the services you need and whether our outpatient clinic will be able to provide those services. If we are able to serve you, the clinician will use the information you have provided to develop with you a recommended plan of treatment tailored to meet your individual needs. Every effort will be made to provide you with efficient treatment. The clinician doing your evaluation may continue as your therapist for ongoing treatment, may recommend another clinician with a different specialty to be your therapist, or may recommend some other type of approach for your difficulties. If we are not able to assist you, we will attempt to refer you to another source of care.

Psychiatrist (M.D.):

This is someone who has graduated from medical school and has completed residency training in psychiatry. Only physicians can prescribe medication.

Psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.):

Someone who has graduated from a doctoral program in psychology and completed an approved internship (FFCP does not have a psychologist on staff).

Social Worker (LCSW-C):

A person who has graduated from a master’s level program in social work and has completed a period of post-graduate supervision.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (RN, CS):

A graduate of a master’s level program in nursing specializing in psychiatry and has completed a period of post-graduate supervision.

Professional Counselor (LCPC):

A person who has graduated from a master’s level program in clinical psychology or counseling and has completed a period of post-graduate supervision.

Intern Counselors:

Intern counselors are clinicians who are in a graduate level program for either clinical psychology or social work. While providing treatment services Interns receive supervision from a licensed clinical supervisor.