An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | May 24, 2022

Mental Health is a Team Effort

By Claudia Sanchez Bustamante

The Military Health System offers a wide variety of mental health care options. But figuring out who is the best person to talk to can seem overwhelming. There are psychiatrists and psychologists, counselors and therapists.

Each one specializes in different areas based on their training and patients' needs, which can include talking and providing temporary support through trying times or it may involve testing, assessing, diagnosing, and treating more serious mental health disorders.

Across the health care system, these professionals often work together to help beneficiaries find the right provider or combination of providers. You can find more information at Health.mil, from TRICARE, and individual military hospitals and clinics can also help guide you. Here's a rundown of some providers' specialties and basic information about each:

Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist has a medical degree and is trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders, says Kate McGraw, a clinical psychologist and chief of the Defense Health Agency's Psychological Health Center of Excellence. "Many have additional training to provide psychotherapy," she said.

But "because they're physicians, it takes longer to train them and they're harder to find," says Air Force Col. Scott Sonnek, a clinical psychologist and the Air Force's director of psychological health.

"[Psychiatrists] are more prepared for prescribing and assessing medical and more serious mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder which need significant medical management."

Psychologist: "A psychologist has a doctor of philosophy or doctor of psychology degree. They are licensed to conduct psychological testing and assessment, diagnose, and treat mental disorders, usually with non-pharmacological methods through psychotherapy, although some psychologists are also licensed to prescribe medication," said McGraw.

Sonnek said "psychologists are better trained for talk therapy and research and psychological testing."

Through testing, they can gather specific information about an individual's functioning, to include symptoms, personality, and intelligence.

While both provide "treatment to similar populations for the same set of mental health disorders," McGraw said, "psychiatrists can often provide medication when symptoms are severe or impairing daily function, or if someone doesn't respond to psychotherapy interventions."

"There are multiple pathways to care with either a psychiatrist or psychologist," she said. "Often, a primary care provider will make a referral to specialty mental health care or to an integrated behavioral health provider who is part of the primary care team if needed. In other cases, the beneficiary can make their own appointment without a referral."

Sonnek suggested starting with the most accessible provider available to evaluate the problem. "Most people don't have significant mental health problems requiring a medication," Sonnek said. "So, talking it through with a professional is a great idea."

In fact, mental health care often begins with a psychologist or social worker, McGraw said. If medication is indicated, a psychologist or other provider can refer the patient to a psychiatrist for medication management."

Other Professional Support

Beyond psychiatry and psychology, there are several types of trained professionals within the MHS to support mental health. McGraw defined them as follows:

Licensed Clinical Social Workers have at least a master's degree and are trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders through psychotherapy, focusing on social systems surrounding the individual.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists have at least a master's degree in counseling, and training to assess and provide support for families and married couples.

Certified Psychiatric Nurse Specialists or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses with a specialized master's degree to help manage prescriptions and provide counseling for a range of mental health problems.

TRICARE Certified Mental Health Counselors have a master's degree in counseling and are trained to provide counseling, rather than psychotherapy. (Typically, counseling involves brief treatment targeting a specific symptom or concern, while psychotherapy often involves longer-term treatment and aims to address broader mental health concerns or treat mental health disorders.)

Supervised Mental Health Counselors are trained mental health professionals with a master's degree in counseling. They can provide counseling, rather than psychotherapy, under the supervision of another licensed provider, for example, certified drug and alcohol abuse counselors.

Pastoral Counselors can also provide spiritual guidance to individuals, couples, families, and groups in various settings.

Chaplains are also available to provide pastoral counseling. However, they do not provide treatment for mental health disorders, McGraw said. Military chaplains are typically part of military commands, although many are not directly involved with the MHS. Nevertheless, chaplains can refer someone back to a military hospital or clinic for medical treatment if they feel that's appropriate.

Linking the work of chaplains with the MHS's broader mental health care system has been a priority for military leaders, McGraw said.

"The Department of Defense has been actively strengthening the collaboration between chaplains and mental health providers over the last decade through a dedicated work group and webinars, as well as developing training curriculum to enhance the connection," she said. "There continue to be ongoing opportunities for mental health providers and chaplains to collaborate and share knowledge."

Additional Resources

Counseling is also available through Military OneSource and through Military and Family Life Counselors. However, these services do not provide medical treatment for mental disorders, says McGraw.

"They provide time-limited counseling for specific short-term problems such as stress, relationship conflicts, or phase of life disturbances," she said. These counselors can also help any beneficiary to locate the right provider if more medically oriented treatment is required.

The VA Vet Centers provide counseling for short term problems for active duty service members in certain circumstances. That might include care for the psychological impact of sexual trauma and readjustment counseling for combat veterans, even if the individual is still on active duty. They don't provide medical treatment for mental health disorders.

The military's Family Advocacy Program offers prevention and interventions for maltreatment of children and intimate partner violence, often through Licensed Social Workers.

The Psychological Health Resource Center is a call center with dedicated staff to help connect all beneficiaries to care.

For active duty service members or veterans, the in Transition program assigns a master's level coach to each person seeking care, regardless of separation status or date, to find the best behavioral health care option.

Finally, your primary care team often has a behavioral health consultant assigned to the team, and can help connect a beneficiary to behavioral health care, concluded McGraw.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
 

Woman writes at a desk.

Your TRICARE Checklist for Moving

News
Jun. 03, 2025

Are you preparing to move to a new location? Now is the best time to make sure your TRICARE benefits are ready...
Read More
Three uniformed service members and a fourth person stand smiling and at the camera and holding a pug.

Unlock Your Health: How To Get Mental Health Car...

News
May. 29, 2025

Mental health is a vital part of your overall well-being. Whether you’re having difficulty managing day-to-day...
Read More
Woman smiles while working on a laptop.

Learn About TRICARE Health Plan Options for Youn...

News
May. 22, 2025

As graduation season arrives, TRICARE-eligible young adults and their family members should understand how...
Read More
Service member examines medication at a military pharmacy.

Getting Prior Authorizations for TRICARE Prescri...

News
May. 20, 2025

When you’re covered by a TRICARE health plan, you also have pharmacy coverage through the TRICARE Pharmacy...
Read More
A man poses for a photo in a maintenance shop with a saw table behind him.

TRICARE Is Your Partner in Mental Health Care

News
May. 14, 2025

Suicidal thoughts can be experienced by anyone and are a serious mental health concern. If you or someone you...
Read More
Dentist and pediatric patient give thumbs up.

TRICARE Dental Program Offers Comprehensive Care...

News
May. 13, 2025

Did you know that oral health has important links to your overall health? That’s why it’s especially important...
Read More
Two nurses wearing blue scrubs and face masks point to chart on a wall.

Military Nurses: An Inspiring and Extraordinary ...

News
May. 09, 2025

Military nurses have an unwavering commitment to advancing our health and wellness to ensure that every...
Read More
Man and woman smile while holding a baby.

Defense Health Agency Announces TRICARE Prime At...

News
May. 07, 2025

Do you live in the Atlanta, Georgia or Tampa, Florida metropolitan area? Your TRICARE health plan options are...
Read More

June 3, 2025

Your TRICARE Checklist for Moving

Are you preparing to move to a new location? Now is the best time to make sure your TRICARE benefits are ready to move with you. Here’s a TRICARE checklist to help you prepare for your move and what you may need to do after you get to your new location.

May 29, 2025

Unlock Your Health: How To Get Mental Health Care With TRICARE

Mental health is a vital part of your overall well-being. Whether you’re having difficulty managing day-to-day stress or navigating more complex challenges, TRICARE offers mental health support when—and where—you need it.

May 22, 2025

Learn About TRICARE Health Plan Options for Young Adults

As graduation season arrives, TRICARE-eligible young adults and their family members should understand how this milestone affects their TRICARE health coverage. Here’s what you need to know about TRICARE health plan options for young adults.

May 20, 2025

Getting Prior Authorizations for TRICARE Prescriptions: Your Questions Answered

When you’re covered by a TRICARE health plan, you also have pharmacy coverage through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. You should be familiar with certain terms that can help you make the most of your pharmacy benefit, including prior authorization. Prior authorization is a routine process to ensure your prescription drug is medically necessary and cost effective.

May 14, 2025

TRICARE Is Your Partner in Mental Health Care

Suicidal thoughts can be experienced by anyone and are a serious mental health concern. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Help is available, and TRICARE is here to support you.

May 13, 2025

TRICARE Dental Program Offers Comprehensive Care for Children

Did you know that oral health has important links to your overall health? That’s why it’s especially important that children get proper dental care from an early age. This helps them maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. The TRICARE Dental Program provides dental coverage for eligible children of service members, helping your children access important dental care.

May 9, 2025

Military Nurses: An Inspiring and Extraordinary Ready Force

Military nurses have an unwavering commitment to advancing our health and wellness to ensure that every service member is fit to fight, that our medical teams are trained and ready, and that our families receive the care they deserve. This week, we honor the strength and dedication of the extraordinary professionals who serve both our country and warfighters with unwavering courage. Whether they are on the frontlines, in field hospitals or at military medical centers around the world, their commitment to care under the most challenging conditions inspires us all.

May 7, 2025

Defense Health Agency Announces TRICARE Prime Atlanta and TRICARE Prime Tampa, Competitive Plans Demonstration Options Starting in 2026

Do you live in the Atlanta, Georgia or Tampa, Florida metropolitan area? Your TRICARE health plan options are about to expand. Starting in January 2026, TRICARE Prime Atlanta and TRICARE Prime Tampa options, a Competitive Plans Demonstration, will bring more choices to eligible beneficiaries. These options are administered by CareSource Military & Veterans. Enrollees will get care from CSMV’s network of primary and specialty care providers.

April 30, 2025

Defense Health Agency Extends Referral Approval Waiver Through June 30 for West Region TRICARE Prime Enrollees

Do you live in the West Region? Do you have TRICARE Prime? You should know that the Defense Health Agency has extended the West Region referral approval waiver through June 30. TRICARE-authorized specialty care providers don’t need to wait for TriWest Healthcare Alliance to approve referrals issued by your primary care manager before providing outpatient care.

April 29, 2025

Disenrolled From Your TRICARE Plan in the West Region? Here’s How To Reinstate Your Coverage After April 30

Do you currently live in the TRICARE West Region? Do you pay for your TRICARE coverage using a bank electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card? If you haven’t done so already, you must securely provide your payment information to the West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, by April 30. If you haven’t submitted payment to TriWest by April 30, you and your family members will be disenrolled from your TRICARE plan on May 1. This disenrollment is retroactive to your paid-through date.