Psychiatry Consults in Juneau, AK

Psychiatry is a branch of health care that focuses on emotional and mental health, as well as behavioral disorders. These mental health conditions can range from anxiety disorders such as phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, addiction, substance abuse, depression, autism spectrum disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and bipolar disorders among many others.

Psychiatrists are mental health professionals that are trained to diagnose and treat these disorders, as well as offer means of prevention. Using psychotherapy (talk therapy), psychiatrists may help relieve the emotional distress and mental health issues of their patients. Psychiatrists can treat a wide range of things that include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, problems centered around a relationship. Psychologists can also help you with a treatment plan to better handle stress, or set and achieve major goals as well as prescribe medication such as antidepressants when necessary.

Yes! Telehealth platforms like Sesame now make it easier than ever to see mental health care providers for psychiatry consults and therapy sessions. Mental health professionals on Sesame offer a wide range of psychiatry services such as:

• Talk therapy
  
• Psychiatric evaluations
  
• Behavioral health consultations
  
• Couples therapy
  

In addition, licensed mental health care providers on Sesame can address and treat mental health conditions such as:

• Anxiety disorder
  
• Depression
  
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  
• Bipolar disorder
  
• Obsessive/ Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  
• Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  
• Schizophrenia
  

This is not a complete list of psychiatric services offered by providers on Sesame. Use our search bar to look for the specific type of psychiatric care or treatment and book an appointment at your convenience. Most care providers will request an initial consultation to discuss your symptoms or concerns. After a consult, providers on Sesame can refer you to a specialist, or schedule follow-up appointments for further care.

Counseling psychology (or psychological counseling) is a form of mental health care provided as a general practice or as a specialty clinical health care service. Counseling helps patients deal with specific issues over a period of time. Examples of these types of instances include:

Grief counseling: A patient may see a counseling psychologist who specializes in grief to help cope with the loss of a loved one.

Career counseling: A patient may want to undergo career counseling to work through career goals, stress related to work, or depression about work.

Couples counseling: Couples may seek couples therapy with a licensed professional counselor to talk about issues related to marriage or the improvement of communication in a relationship.

There are a number of different types of counseling that can address individual needs and specific needs of a group. But most counseling sessions center around a specific issue or difficulty. Counseling may be a more short-term relationship, as opposed to long-term therapy.

Conversely, therapists work more with clients managing mental health, behavioral, or personality disorders. Therapists tend to work with clients on a deeper level, addressing psychological and emotional issues, mental health disorders, and facilitating personal growth. They often utilize various therapeutic modalities to help clients explore and process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Therapists use a broader range of therapeutic techniques and interventions to delve into clients' underlying emotional and psychological issues. They might use psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, or other approaches.

In sum, counselors will work with clients to overcome a problem or concern. Therapists will work with clients to address why that concern is occurring in the first place while addressing the underlying causes of behavioral or emotional challenges.

While psychiatrists and psychologists both provide mental health services, some differences between the two are important to remember when selecting a mental health care provider.

Psychologists are not medical doctors, whereas psychiatrists are usually MDs. This means that a board-certified psychiatrist (certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) has completed a medical school and residency program with a focus on psychiatry and cannot only diagnose and treat mental illness but also prescribe medications necessary for the course of treatment.

Psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals who can treat mental health conditions that don't necessarily require medication or other medical treatments, such as learning disabilities, phobias, or relationship issues.

While all psychiatrists can provide medical advice and care, there are a number of psychiatry subfields that address particular conditions, areas, or age groups. These include:

Psychotherapy: During these sessions, also known as talk therapy, you speak with a psychotherapist or counselor to help reduce symptoms from depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.

Child and adolescent psychiatry: This is a specialized form of psychiatry that focuses on disorders related to childhood development.

Geriatric psychiatry: The study of mental, emotional, and behavioral health as it relates to older adults.

Forensic (legal) psychiatry: The assessment and treatment of mental disorders as they relate to the law.

Addiction psychiatry: A form of psychiatry that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders related to addiction.

Psychopharmacology: The study of treating mental health disorders with the use of medication.

There are many effective treatments for depression, including medication, talk therapy, and more. Your doctor - whether a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist - will craft a treatment plan that works for your needs. Treatment options for depression include:

Therapy

Psychotherapy: In-depth talk therapy that is used to examine unconscious or repressed thoughts and feelings and learn tools to address them. If you have experienced trauma, speaking with a mental health professional can be helpful. They can help you learn coping techniques, identify major triggers, and adjust to stressful situations.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): This is a therapy in which small electric pulses course through the brain causing an intentional seizure. This may be an option for someone who has found other therapies unsuccessful.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Behavioral health issues like eating disorders and drug or alcohol abuse can be treated with the use of CBT. This treatment helps change thinking and behavioral patterns. CBT is used to treat a wide variety of conditions including depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. It can even help with marital problems. CBT offers self-help as it trains you to be your own therapist, teaching you coping skills and how to shift your thinking or behaviors.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT): A common treatment for depression among children, teens, and young adults, IPT is a short-term treatment focused on addressing interpersonal issues.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Often used when other treatments prove ineffective, TMS is brain stimulation that uses magnetic fields to prompt nerve cells to improve depression symptoms. This is a noninvasive procedure.

Medication

After a consultation, your doctor of psychiatry may determine that your treatment plan should include medication. All prescriptions are at the sole discretion of your doctor. Common medications treating depression include:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs: Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil or Pexeva, Prozac, Viibryd, and Zoloft are some examples of SSRIs. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs: Some examples include Cymbalta, Effexor XR, Fetzima, and Khedezla or Pristiq.

Atypical antidepressants: These types of medicine don’t fall into either SSRI or SNRI categories. Atypical antidepressants include Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL which are all brands of bupropion, as well as Remeron, and Trintellix.

Tricyclic antidepressants: If SSRIs aren’t as effective for your care, a doctor may prescribe tricyclic antidepressant medications, which can be very effective but can also have more side effects. Common medications include Norpramin, Pamelor, Surmontil, and Vivactil.

There are many risk factors linked with taking these types of medicine. Speak with your doctor about which option is best for you. Connect directly with quality doctors through Sesame on your schedule. With Sesame, you get fair, clear prices on all kinds of care. See who you want, not who your insurance company lets you. Book an in-person or virtual visit near you today.