Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT)
A CBT therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. They are experts in talking therapies and will help you understand that the way you think about your problems affects what you feel and do.
Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN)
A CPN is a nurse who has specialised in mental health problems. They tend to work in Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT); sometimes they have special roles linking with general hospitals and GPs. They are experts at administering drugs, giving advice on drugs and talking therapies.
Your General Practitioner (GP) should be aware of you and your family’s history, which can help them understand your problems. Unfortunately, GPs only have a limited amount of time per patient so often may not have the time they would like to talk through problems. Nevertheless, your GP will decide if you need to be sent to see a specialist (someone who has expert knowledge and skills) - or a specialist service (perhaps a team of people that have knowledge and skills) that can help you.
Health visitors work with GPs and Practice Nurses to help you take care of your children until they are 5 years old. They are skilled at giving advice on postnatal depression and parenting skills.
Mental Health Practitioners or Clinical Specialists
Sometimes when people work in Specialist Teams they are called a specialist name. Sometimes this is to let people know that they are all equally specialist in mental health. Most will have a background in nursing, OT, social work, or counselling. If you are unsure then it is OK to ask them to explain their job to you.
Mental Health Officer (MHO)
This is a Social Worker who has received special training in the use of the Mental Health Act. The Mental Health Officer has a number of specific responsibilities under the Act.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
An OT specialises in using activity to help people with health problems. They will help people develop life skills such as coping with work, looking after their homes, cooking and shopping. They will try to introduce activities to foster or maintain a better quality of life. They will work on improving work and leisure related skills. They may be based in hospital, OT department or in the community.
Practice Nurses work in GP surgeries and can be very understanding about people’s mental health problems. Sometimes GPs arrange for people with milder problems to talk them over with the Practice Nurse.
You may be referred to a Psychiatrist. This is a medical Doctor that has decided to specialise in mental health problems. Generally, they focus on the biological causes of illness. They are more likely to deal with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and dementia. They are expert in the use of drugs and can often combine these with talking therapies.
Psychologist/Clinical Psychologist
You may be referred to a clinical psychologist for talking therapies. This is a psychologist who has decided to specialise in mental health problems. They are experts in the use of many different types of talking therapies. Psychologists do not prescribe medication but focus on helping people address the main reasons for the way they are feeling. A clinical psychologist specialises in assessing and treating psychological problems. Measuring and assessing people’s progress.
They help with the social problems that often go hand in hand with mental health problems. They can help with benefits, arranging support and access to services that can help with practical problems.
Support Workers work directly with the person who needs support with their mental health. They will provide practical and emotional support. They can provide wide-ranging support - living independently or social support in the community.
