Who's Who in Behavioral Health Care: Understanding Your Options

Behavioral health goes beyond mental health. It's the connection between your mind, body, and daily behaviors, including mental health conditions, substance use, stress management, sleep, and the everyday choices that impact how you feel and function.

At St. John's Health, our Behavioral Health team brings a variety of specialized training and expertise. But with terms like psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and therapist, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about who is the right fit for your needs.

Let's break it down:

The Therapist (also known as counselor, behavioral health provider)

• Training: Therapists earn a master's degree, complete an internship, pass a national exam, and are licensed by the state. Their exact title depends on their degree and supervised hours. In Wyoming, for example, therapists may be a Provisionally Licensed Social Worker (PCSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Provisional Professional Counselor (PCC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
• What they do: Therapists help people address both situational and long-term mental health needs. Whether you're coping with stress, navigating grief, managing anxiety, or wanting to build stronger coping skills, a therapist provides goal-oriented support and tools to help you function well and move forward in meaningful ways. It’s important to note that while therapists diagnose and treat mental health conditions, they do not prescribe medication.
• Local resources: Jackson is fortunate to have many excellent therapists (working in private practice, group settings, non-profits, and at St. John's Health). Ask your medical provider, a trusted friend, or even a neighbor, and you'll likely get strong recommendations.

The Psychologist

• Training: Psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and complete extensive postgraduate internships and fellowships. They are licensed on a state-by-state basis.
• What they do: Psychologists specialize in a variety of different areas depending on their setting. In clinical practice, they can provide therapy but typically focus on psychological evaluations—comprehensive assessments that diagnose conditions and guide treatment decisions. School psychologists assess learning disabilities, provide counseling, and support students' academic and emotional development. In research settings, psychologists study behavior and mental health to advance treatment approaches and deepen our understanding of how people think and feel.
• Local Resources: Psychologists are available both locally and regionally. Your primary care provider or current therapist can help connect you with someone who fits your needs.

The Psychiatrist

• Training: Psychiatrists (MDs or DOs) are medical doctors who have completed medical school and a psychiatry residency.
• What they do: They address biological and medical aspects of mental health. They often manage complex psychiatric conditions and provide medication management.
• Local Resources: St. John's Health has two wonderful psychiatrists! Dr. Nils Westfall works with youth and adolescents, and Dr. Leah Fortson works with our adult population.

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

• Training: Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) have earned a master's or doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing and completed clinical training in mental health care.
• What they do: They are licensed to diagnose mental health conditions and, in Wyoming, can also prescribe medications and provide individual counseling.
• Local Resources: Jackson has a growing number of psychiatric nurse practitioners that work in their own practices or alongside other behavioral health providers. Your existing therapist or medical doctor can help you connect to an appropriate provider.

Which One Should You See?

• If you’re looking for talk therapy, support working through life challenges or even a specific type of mental health therapy: Start with a therapist.
• If you're seeking a thorough evaluation or want testing for things like learning differences, ADHD, or complex diagnoses: A psychologist is the right fit.
• If you're interested in medication as a tool to improve your wellbeing: A psychiatrist excels in this space and can review options and manage this portion of your care.

Still need help deciding who's right for you? Your primary care provider or our Mental Health Resource Line can guide you to the right support.

For psychiatry services at St. John's Health call (307) 739-7818. For therapy services at St. John's Health: Ask your primary care provider for a referral.

St. John's Health Foundation has made our behavioral health offerings possible, from supporting the growth of specialized programs to funding the recent expansion of SJH Psychiatry. They've also established a Behavioral Health Endowment to ensure these critical services remain available for years to come.