Advanced
Practice Nurse in Mental Health
Texas Board of Nursing Examiners
P.O. Box 140466
Austin, TX 78714
(512) 305-7400
The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in Mental Health has a master's
degree or higher from an accredited school of nursing. Licensure is
obtained through the State Board of Nursing, and certification is
achieved upon successful completion of a national exam. Services include
psychiatric evaluation, psychotherapy, and patient education. Additional
preparations and Board of Nursing approval permits some APNs to prescribe
psychoactive medications.
Art
Therapist
Art Therapy Institute
8340 Meadow Rd, #136
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 696-4278
Registered
Art Therapists (ATRs) specialize in using art media and the creative
arts process in therapy. Art therapists have a master's degree/post-master's
training followed by an extensive internship, Registered Art Therapists
may become board certified by passing a national exam and may work
in private practice or in facilities which offer services such as
education, rehabilitation, elder care, psychiatric care, and medical
care.
Biofeedback
Therapist
The Biofeedback Society of Texas
P.O. Box 16007
Austin, TX 78716-0097
(512) 328-9639
Biofeedback
therapists provide supportive therapy for teaching individual awareness
and control using cost-effective, documented research studies to encourage
wellness. The Biofeedback Certification Institute of America certifies
therapists in a wide range of mental health training The Biofeedback
Society of Texas was established in 1976 as an open forum for the
exchange of ideas, methods, research, and clinical experience.
Clinical
Hypnotherapists
North Texas Society of Clinical Hypnosis
P.O. Box 7546
Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 350-4622
Clinical Hypnotherapists are an interdisciplinary group of licensed
health care professionals who use clinical hypnosis in medicine, dentistry,
and psychotherapy. The organization serves the educational needs of
the professional community by offering monthly educational meetings
and training around Texas. The extent to which members are authorized
to apply hypnotic skills depends upon each member's license.
Group
Psychotherapy
The Coalition of Texas Group Psychotherapy Society
5710 Lyndon B. Johnson Frwy., Suite 210
Dallas, TX 75240-6324
(972) 490-1007
Group Psychotherapists have had specific training and supervised experience
in using group psychotherapy. The Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists
lists group psychotherapists who meet training and experience requirements.
They are also governed by the code of ethics of each professional's
licensing board.
Licensed
Chemical
Dependency Counselor
Texas Commission on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
9001 North IH-35, Suite 105
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 832-9623
The Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor is licensed to provide
counseling for persons with alcohol/drug abuse problems. Providers
must demonstrate competency by passing a statewide exam, by having
comparable educational and clinical experience in the chemical dependency
field, or from experience in another profession. They have varied
educational backgrounds and must complete 60 hours of continuing education
every two years.
Licensed
Professional Counselor
Texas Counseling Association
316 West 12th St., Suite 402
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-3403
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) have at least a master's degree,
complete 36 months or 3000 clock hours of supervised experience, and
pass a state licensure exam. Services are offered to individuals of
all ages, families, couples, groups, and organizations in the areas
of psychotherapy, personal social concerns, wellness, and career/educational
decisions. Strict rules and a national code of ethics govern the practice
of counseling.
Licensed
Psychological Associates
Texas Association of Psychological Associates
P. O. Box 24413
Ft. Worth, TX 76124-1413
(817) 588-0476
Licensed Psychological Associates (LPAs) are trained at the master's
or doctoral level and can provide a full range of psychological services
including individual and group therapy as well as psychological assessment.
LPAs are most frequently employed by state mental health agencies
and educational institutions. Licensed psychologists also employ LPAs
in the private sector. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
regulates licensed psychological associates.
Marriage and Family Therapists
Texas Association for Marriage & Family Therapy
P. O. Box 140647
Austin, TX, 78714-0647
(800) 270-4320
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists utilize systems methods in
many areas such as marital, family, child, divorce, sex, chemical
dependency, and individual Psychotherapy. Family system approaches
attempt to stabilize and alleviate problems of any family member and
enhance the emotional and mental health of all family members.
Licensed
Psychologist
Texas Psychological Association
1101 Meredith Dr., Suite 4
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 280-4334
Psychologists must have a doctoral degree in psychology and complete
a supervised internship. They are licensed to practice independently.
Psychologists perform a wide range of evaluation and treatment interventions
with children, adults, couples, families, groups, and organizations.
Services provided include:
individual psychotherapy, group and family therapy, diagnostic evaluations,
psychological and neuropsychological testing, career counseling, forensic
evaluations, behavioral health consultations, and organizational consulting.
Occupational
Therapists (Licensed)
Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 305-6900
Registered Occupational Therapists (OTRs) possess either a bachelor's
or master's degree. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA)
have an associate's degree. Both are required to pass a national certification
exam. Occupational Therapists provide training in the activities of
daily living and life skills in the areas of mental health, physical
dysfunction, pediatrics, home health, industrial health, community
health, and many other specialties.
Pastoral
Counselor (Certified)
The American Association of Pastoral Counselors
9504-A Lee Hwy.
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 385-6967
Certified Pastoral Counselors are ministers who have graduate training
in religion and behavioral science. They offer therapy to individuals,
couples, families, and groups, while also providing consultation and
leadership in personal, family, and spiritual growth. They function
under a national code of ethics and the codes of ethics of other certifying
licensing groups.
Physicians
Texas Medical Association
401 West 15th Street
Austin,
TX 78701
(512) 370-1300
Physicians provide a broad range of services including diagnosis,
treatment, and medical management of physical and emotional disorders.
Physicians treat various mental health problems such as depression,
anxiety and psychotic disorders.
Play
Therapist (Registered)
Texas Association for Play Therapy
11811 Cedar Valley Cove
Austin, TX, 79753
Play Therapists are professionals who specialize in utilizing play
in the therapy process for children,adolescents, and families. Services
are provided in agencies, private practice, and schools. Registered
Play Therapists meet specific requirements in addition to those of
their mental health license.
Psychiatrist
Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians
401 West 15th Street, Suite 675
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-0605
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of mental illness. Psychiatrists have a
doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) degree from
an approved medical school, a license to practice medicine, and have
completed a psychiatric residency.
Psychiatrists examine patients biologically and psychologically, order
medical tests, prescribe medications, provide psychotherapy and, when
necessary, admit patients to hospitals.
Social
Worker (Licensed)
National Association of Social Workers, Texas Chapter
810 West 11th St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-1454
A Social Worker has a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in Social
Work and helps individuals, families, and community groups. Social
Workers provide counseling and psychotherapy; locate public/private
social services and resources; establish social and health services
for clients; and help to shape public policies. Licensing categories
include: Social Work Associate (SWA), Licensed Social Worker (LSW);
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Advanced Practitioner (AP),
and Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP).
How Do You Choose a Helper? is a joint publication of the
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and the Texas Mental Health Liaison
Group. The Liaison Group is composed of representatives of professional
mental health organizations in the state of Texas. Its purpose is to
improve the delivery of services by developing a forum for education
and communication among mental health organizations, identifying common
concerns, promoting cooperation, and developing strategies to impact
public policies that enhance mental health in Texas. Member associations
of the Texas Mental Health Liaison Group include:
Coalition of Group Psychotherapy Societies
Southwest Region American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Texas Association for Play Therapy
Texas Association of Addiction Professionals
National Association of Social Workers, Texas Chapter
Texas Counseling Association
Texas Medical Association
Texas Nurses Association
Texas Occupational Therapy Association
Texas Psychological Association
Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians
Texas Alliance for the Mentally III (ex officio)
The Mental Health Association of Texas (ex officio)
Texas Association of Psychological Associates
Texas Association of School Psychologists
The Red Cross/Dallas, Texas (ex officio)
The Art Therapy Institute
The North Texas Society of Clinical Hypnosis
The Biofeedback Society of Texas
