Find the Right Provider for You
Not every clinician is the right fit for every person. At Riverside, we have therapists, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners with different specialties and approaches. This guide helps you think through who you might want to see first.
Not sure after reading? Our front desk team is great at this. Call us and they will ask you a few quick questions and point you in the right direction.
Match by Concern
Anxiety, worry, or panic attacks
Therapy is usually the first stop. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches work well for anxiety. If anxiety is severe, long-standing, or interfering with daily life and you want to explore medication alongside therapy, a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner may also be helpful.
Depression or persistent low mood
Both therapy and medication can be effective for depression. Many people do best with a combination. If you'd like to start with talk therapy, a licensed therapist is a great first step. If you've tried therapy before or want to explore medication right away, a psychiatrist or PMHNP can evaluate whether medication is appropriate for you.
Trauma or PTSD
Look for a therapist who is trained in trauma-focused approaches. Several of our clinicians specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which has a strong evidence base for trauma treatment. You can filter the provider directory by specialty to find trauma-trained therapists.
ADHD in adults or children
ADHD is best addressed with a combination of assessment, behavioral strategies, and sometimes medication. We offer ADHD testing services as well as ongoing therapy support. If you or your child has already been diagnosed and you want medication management, a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner is the right starting point. If a new evaluation is needed, ask our front desk about our ADHD testing process.
Relationship or couples issues
If you're looking for couples counseling, look for therapists who list couples or relationship work as a specialty. Not all therapists do couples work, so it's worth checking bios before booking. Our front desk can also steer you to the right clinician if you just want to call.
Child or teen mental health
Several of our therapists specialize in children and adolescents. Working with young people requires a different skill set, so it's worth choosing a clinician who specifically lists this as their area. Check out our child and teen therapy page for clinicians who work with younger patients.
Grief or loss
Grief comes in many forms: losing a loved one, a relationship ending, a major life change, or a loss of identity. A therapist who has experience with grief and life transitions is often the best match. Grief does not follow a timeline and therapy is not about rushing through it. It is about having consistent support as you find your way through. If grief is accompanied by significant depression or sleep disruption, a prescriber may also be worth consulting.
OCD or intrusive thoughts
OCD is often misunderstood and is different from being particular or organized. It involves intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that create a cycle of distress. Effective treatment typically involves Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), both specialized approaches. Look for a therapist who specifically lists OCD as a specialty. Not all therapists are trained in ERP, so asking about this directly is worthwhile.
Medication questions or management
If you're interested in starting psychiatric medication, adjusting a current prescription, or getting a second opinion, book with one of our psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners. They can prescribe, monitor, and adjust medications and will also consider whether therapy alongside medication would be beneficial for you.
Therapist vs. Psychiatrist: What is the Difference?
Therapists are trained in talk therapy. They help you work through thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and patterns through conversation. They cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. At Riverside, our psychiatrists and nurse practitioners see patients for evaluation and medication management, and many will coordinate with your therapist if you're seeing both.
If you're unsure which type of care you need, therapy is usually a good first step. Your therapist can refer you to a prescriber if they think medication evaluation would help. Or you can call our front desk and we'll sort it out together.
Still not sure? Just call us.
Our front desk team is good at this. Tell them what you're dealing with and they'll point you to the right clinician. Same-week appointments are often available.