psychologist vs. psychiatrist???

My insurance plan changed May 1st and now I am going nuts trying to find a new doc. I didn't pick the one I've been seeing and while I am fine with her, she's not on my plan. I can see her but I'd have to pay the full amount for the visit, verses a reasonable copay for in-network docs. I need somebody who isn't all about the drugs, yet can still prescribe them. I've only just started the drugs. I can't think of a worse time for this to happen. Drugs are good but I feel that I need more. There are very few mental health providers where I live that are on my plan. I've found one psychiatrist that's on my plan but I haven't heard back if she'll let me see her. And even if I can, I have to get the visit authorized by my insurance first. I only have 2 weeks of medication left. (If the side effects from going off the drugs are anything like the ones I had going on them, I don't want to stop. That and my friend/pastor would probably haul me off to the hospital if I stopped the medication. )

My question is, if I can't see her, what type of doctor should I look for, psychologist or psychiatrist??? This is all so new for me!?! I'm trying not to panic, but it's so frustrating dealing with all this. It's even affecting my work as this is all I can think about. If I could just get everything set up I'd be fine.

thx
~blue

I know that psychologists cannot write scripts for you.  Depending on how severe your depression is will determine what speciality is right for you.  With my depression I have a psychiatrist and therapist.  Actually a licenced therapist is just like a psychologist without all the years of schooling for doctrine.

 

Another good source that may help you is NAMI, they are the organization for mental illness.  Try that.

Dont ya just love HMO's?

As everyone has said already, typically psychiatrist's dont "counsel".  They normally will get a person started within counseling or whatever and start them on medication maitance if needed but then oversee that for the duration.  Any further visits with a psychiatrist would be 15-20 minutes in length and just really basic questions on how your doing.  What you may want to look into is finding a private mental health group or doctors that are in private practice.  Usually, there will be a few Psychiatrist's overseeing the group followed by your Psychologist's then perhaps some Counselors.  If the psychiatist is in-network by your insurance then hopefully one of the psychologist or counselors will be also so you may also see them on a regular basis.

I got an appointment with the new doc in a week. Found out that I don't have to get approval to see her as she is an MD. If I went to a psychologist I'd have to get approval. I do think I may look into finding a therapist, especially if all I get out of a psychiatrist is medication.

I'm on a PPO plan not a HMO, thank God! It's just the mental heath stuff that we have to pre-approval for.

I'm doing a little better as this is sorted out. But I've just gone to 20mg of Lexapro and that's messing me up.

Thanks for your support.
~blue