Quote:
Originally Posted by sunrise
I checked it out in my state and here, diagnosing is not linked to being able to prescribe. Because a therapist must be able to make a diagnosis in order to be able to give the client the right kind of treatment. So for example, a psychologist or a LCSW therapist can indeed diagnose. Also, they have to be able to put down a diagnosis to get reimbursed by insurance in my state. I don't know about ADHD, though. It probably depends on whether the therapist or psychologist is trained for that. I think there are psychologists who do have expertise in ADHD. My therapist just didn't feel like ADHD was up his alley, I think, and so he wanted to refer me out to someone with more expertise in ADHD. But he definitely diagnoses things like depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, GAD, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, adjustment disorder, personality disorders, etc. If he believes the person may benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy he refers them out to a prescriber.
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Interesting - just another way that the mental health system is
so confusing! I had several psychologists and therapists give me a bipolar diagnosis, but everyone said I needed to go to a psychiatrist for formal diagnosis and meds. My therapist wanted a diagnosis from the psychiatrist so he would know what to do for treatment, even though he also agrees that I'm bipolar.
I guess it might also have to do with the "seriousness" of the condition. I had no trouble getting dx's and meds for ADHD from my GP, but getting the dx for bipolar took a year and 5 separate evaluations, all of which came up with the same "tentative" diagnosis.