Valparaiso Community Schools
Mental Health Resources
IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 911 or GO TO YOUR NEAREST
EMERGENCY ROOM OR HOSPITAL.
Click on the link in each heading to find a listing of local providers
Emergency services or assessment may be required if someone is actively expressing a desire to do harm to themselves (suicidal thoughts) or someone else (homicidal thoughts). After an assessment is completed, the mental health professional will consult with a doctor (typically a psychiatrist or psychologist) to make a referral or recommendations for treatment, which can include outpatient therapy or inpatient treatment/hospitalization.
Hospitalization or admission into an inpatient mental health facility may be needed to allow for a period during which the individual can be closely monitored to provide accurate diagnosis, to help adjust or stabilize medications, or during an acute episode where a person’s mental illness temporarily worsens.
There are a number of outpatient mental health providers right here in Valparaiso as well as throughout Northwest Indiana. Some locations simply provide therapy and counseling services for individuals, families and groups. Others may provide psychological or psychiatric services in addition to therapy and counseling services. Therapists and counselors can take a dynamic approach and use a variety of techniques and strategies to help their clients reach their therapeutic goals.
Private practice is a method of performing mental health services. Private practitioners have their own offices and typically set their own schedule. When many people picture a therapist, they picture someone in a stand-alone office seeing clients throughout the week. Private practitioners often set their own schedules, and may work evenings or weekends. Some clinicians in private practice also have staff; staff typically work according to the owner’s schedule.
These professionals all have a Masters degree as well as state licensure which allow them to practice independently. Despite having different credentials, many of these mental health professionals can address a variety of mental health challenges.
LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LMFT - Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCAC - Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor
Psychologists are trained to administer and interpret a number of tests and assessments that can help diagnose a condition or tell more about the way a person thinks, feels and behaves.
Psychologists also may practice therapy or counseling and help clients the way that LMHCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs do.
Psychologists obtain a doctoral degree to practice psychology (PhD or PsyD) which requires 4-6 years of study following an undergraduate degree.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors that specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication, which a psychologist, counselor, therapist, or clinical social worker CANNOT do.