It's important to find a mental health professional who is not only experienced with treating patients with your particular circumstance, but that you feel is a good fit personally.

Since you'll be sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences, it's best to find someone with whom you are comfortable speaking.

Additional things to consider and ask about when choosing someone include, but are not limited to:

• Education and training


• Years in practice


• Areas of speciality


• Treatment approaches


• Office hours, fees, and length of session

Don't hesitate to speak over the phone and ask questions before scheduling an appointment; finding the right person is vital to get the most out your visits.

There are several types of mental health practitioners to choose from; all types will help with Grief and its emotional aftermath, but some may be more specifically tailored for your needs.

Types of providers include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Social Workers

• Evaluate a person's mental health using therapeutic techniques specific to their training


• Degrees include LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) or MSW (Master's Degree in Social Work)

Counselors, Clinicians & Therapists

• Provide many different types of therapy including psychotherapy to guide to help reduce symptoms and better thinking, feeling and living


• Have a master's degree in counseling, clinical or school psychology


• Degrees include LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or general master's degree (M.S. or M.A.) in a specified mental health related field

Psychologists

• Diagnose, evaluate and monitor mental health using clinical interviews, psychological evaluations and testing


• Can make diagnoses through individual and / or group talk therapy


• Have degrees of Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in a particular psychological field or Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) and must be licensed by the state in which they practice

Marriage and Family Therapists

• The emotional turmoil of Grief may not only affect one member of a family, but cause issues for other relationships as well


• These professionals hold masters and doctoral degrees in marriage and family therapy as an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) or as a licensed therapist or psychologist

Psychiatrist

• Medical doctors who have completed additional mental health training and diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and sometimes provide therapy


• Degrees include MD (Doctor of Medicine) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) plus additional training in psychiatry and must be licensed by the state in which they practice