Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by Houston Patients

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Eating Disorders, like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
• Substance Use Disorders
• Personality Disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder)

Signs That You or a Loved May Benefit From a Mental Health Referral

Persistent changes in mood or behavior, difficulty coping with daily challenges, social withdrawal, physical symptoms with no clear cause or thoughts of self-harm or suicide are usually indicative of underlying mental health issues. Recognizing these issues early is essential to ensuring you receive prompt and comprehensive support.

It’s often easier to see the signs of mental distress in others than in ourselves. It’s not always easy to recognize symptoms that build over time or come to terms with asking for help.

St. Hope Healthcare offers comprehensive primary care and referrals to experienced mental health specialists if needed to maximize the efficacy of your treatment.

How a Mental Health Specialist Can Assist

Mental health specialists can give crucial support to those with mental health issues. An experienced mental health specialist will thoroughly assess your conditions, provide an accurate diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to maximize the success of your individual treatment. They’ll use proven therapeutic interventions, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help you develop coping strategies you can use to manage your symptoms so you can feel more stable in moments of distress. In rare cases when medication is needed, a referral to a psychiatrist can give you access to vital prescriptions that will make handling your symptoms easier.

Put simply, a mental health specialist can give patients struggling with their mental health the expertise and tools they need to enjoy a better, safer and more productive life. At St. Hope Healthcare, we’ll provide you with referrals to the right type of mental health specialist for you and will coordinate your care with them to verify you’re receiving the most effective and efficient treatment possible.

Different Types of Mental Health Specialists

• Therapist: Therapists, also referred to as counselors, provide counseling to individuals dealing with life issues, whether they’re related to mental health or not. They don’t have the authority to make clinical diagnoses.

• Substance Abuse Counselor: Substance abuse counselors specialize in helping individuals overcome addiction and substance use disorders.

• Psychologist: Psychologists specialize in the study of the mind and behavior and are required to have at least a doctorate in psychology. They often provide counseling and can diagnose disorders but can’t prescribe medication.

• Clinical Psychologist: Clinical psychologists are a specialized type of psychologist who receive specialized training in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. They are more likely to work in hospital or private practice settings with patients struggling with severe mental health issues.

• Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and are able to prescribe medications.

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced specialized training in mental health care. They assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions and also have the ability to prescribe medications.