Behavioral Health at Livingston HealthCare
Our Behavioral Health team is composed of mental health professionals working in support of your Primary Care Provider, offering expertise and consultation with regard to mental diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, as well as healthy living habits. We believe in a team-based and person-centered approach to care, treating the whole person rather than focusing on each disorder or medical issue separately.
How to Receive Care:
- Receive a behavioral health referral from your Livingston HealthCare Primary Care Provider
- Meet with the Behavioral Health team to develop an individualized treatment plan
- Participate in short-term counseling, track improvements and adjust treatment if needed
Because they are physicians, psychiatrists can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests which, combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient's physical and mental state.
Our team prides itself in our expertise with both the diagnosis and treatment of the occurrence of mental illness. We believe that the relationship between healthcare provider and patient is of the utmost importance. We take a balanced approach in order to go beyond symptom relief and help you find ways to revitalize your life so that you can thrive in all of your endeavors. Our team is comprised of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, physician assistants-certified and licensed clinical social workers. Here is a helpful explanation of the different specialties:
Psychiatrists attend medical school and earn an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. They go on for an additional 4 years of specialized training in psychiatry during residency. Training for psychiatrists focuses on biological and developmental aspects of mental illness. Due to their medical training, psychiatrists can prescribe medications, and their work with patients may include talk therapy combined with medications.
Clinical Psychologists graduate from an accredited clinical psychology educational program, earning either a Master's (Psy.M.) or Doctoral (Psy.D.) degree. Psy.D. candidates complete an additional 1-3 years of specialized training during residency. They are board-certified through the American Board of Clinical Psychology. Pscyhologists provide continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families, which includes diagnosing phsychological illness and working with patients of all ages through talk therapy or other behavioral therapies. Clinical Pscyhologists do not prescribe medications, but can work with a Physician if medications are needed.
Physician Assistants-Certified (PA-C) are graduates of an accredited physician assistant educational program and have completed testing by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. PA-Cs are state-licensed to practice medicine with a supervising physician. They complete at least two years of college courses in basic science and behavioral science which is similar to pre-med studies required of medical students. PA-Cs complete more than 2,000 hours of clinical training in services such as family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine and psychiatry.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) attend graduate school and earn an MSW (Master of Social Work) and become a LCSW after 2 years of clinical supervision. Training typically includes coursework and practical experience working at agencies in the community. LCSWs are trained in psychotherapy which helps individuals deal with a variety of mental and behavioral issues, and daily living problems to improve overall function.
Meet our behavioral health providers here.
For more information or to ask about connecting with our Behavioral Health team, please reach out to your Primary Care Provider at Livingston Healthcare by calling 406.222.3541.