Psychiatry

What is a Psychiatrist? A Psychiatric Physician.

Psychiatrists have the education, training and experience to treat the highest levels of complexity and severity of mental illness. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor - a physician - who is skilled in:

Normal development across a person's lifespan
Assessment, treatment and prevention of mental illness, including substance use disorders
Understanding and explaining the interface between mental illness and other medical conditions
Psychotherapy and other therapeutic modalities to facilitate positive outcomes in mental health
Recommending (or recommending against) the use of psychiatric medications in the treatment of mental illness
Integrating treatment along important life domains including education, occupational, family, interpersonal relationships and community functioning

For more information, please visit the information pages of APA and AACAP on this subject.

What is the training of a Psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist has successfully completed the following educational and training requirements:

Completed an undergraduate college degree or training - typically a 4-year college degree
Completed medical school training and earned a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) or Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) - both are 4-year degrees
Completed and passed 3 separate steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
Completed specialization in a General Psychiatry Residency program - typically a 4-year program
May have achieved additional sub-specialization in a Fellowship program
Maintains an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the state where he/she provides care
Pursues ongoing learning and professional development through Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities

For more information, please visit the information pages of APA and AACAP on this subject.

Questions & Answers

Q: Where can I find a psychiatrist in my community or in Montana?
A: Click on the Members page.

Q: What can I do if there are no psychiatrists in my community?
A: Contact your community Pediatrician, Family Practice physician or primary care provider.

Q: What can I do to advocate for a psychiatrist to be available in my community?
A: Clearly communicate your expectations to your community hospital, local mental health agency, and state departmental and elected officials.

Q: If I see a psychiatrist, will I end up on medications?
A: In many cases, psychiatrists recommend and advocate for treatments other than medications. For more information psychiatric medications, visit Parents Med Guide, NAMI or the NIMH.

Q: Will I be blamed for my problems?
A: No, although you are the most important factor in your own recovery. Everyone can learn new skills to cope and improve.

Q: Where can I find more mental health information?
A: Good resources for information include APA, AACAP, NAMI, Mental Health America and NIMH.

Q: What if I need help but do not want to be labeled with a disorder?
A: While the stigma of having a mental illness remains in the US, the impact of untreated mental illness typically is far worse.

Q: Who can help me advocate in my mental health care?
A: Montana organizations include NAMI Montana, Mental Health America of Montana, the Montana Insurance Commissioner and Disability Rights Montana.