The benefits of combining therapy and psychiatry

When it comes to managing your mental health, it can be tough to know where to start. There’s therapy, there’s psychiatry, and you might not fully understand how to differentiate or choose between the two. For some people, combining therapy and psychiatry is the most effective way to manage their symptoms and improve their overall mental health and well-being.

Understanding therapy and psychiatry

Therapy and psychiatry are two approaches for treating and managing people’s mental health. Both are provided by highly trained mental health professionals, but the tools and approaches vary. 

Therapists focus on talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and interpersonal therapy. Psychiatric providers, on the other hand, prescribe medications to help treat mental and behavioral health issues. 

In general, therapy is an effective option for people who:

• Have mild or moderate symptoms that don’t significantly impact daily functioning
• Are experiencing relationship-based issues or are interested in couples counseling
• Are uncertain whether medication can help with their needs

Psychiatry is typically used to help people who:

• Are experiencing mental health symptoms that interfere with daily functioning
• Have been diagnosed with a condition known to be responsive to medication (like depression or anxiety)
• Aren’t seeing improvement with therapy alone 

A combined approach: Therapy and medication 

While some people may prefer one therapeutic approach over another, a third option is to try both therapy and medication management. Combining therapy and psychiatry is an opportunity to address the psychological and biological aspects of a person’s mental health. Therapy helps people explore their emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues, while medication can help reduce symptoms associated with those concerns. 

In some cases, a combination of therapy and medication is actually more effective than one approach on its own. Research recommends combined treatment for conditions like major depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). There’s also evidence that combined treatment can help with bipolar disorder.

Two of the leading benefits of a combined treatment approach include:

• Customized treatment plans: Mental health management is a personal process, and each person has their own symptoms, preferences, and treatment needs. By combining therapy and medication management, people develop the skills to both understand and cope with their condition. 

• Better health outcomes: Research shows that many people who receive both therapy and medication see greater mental health improvement than those who receive just one type of care. In addition to a reduction in symptoms, this means improved daily functioning and overall higher quality of life. 

Considerations for combined treatment

While combined treatment offers clear benefits, there are several factors to consider when working with both a therapist and psychiatric practitioner. Combined treatment means finding not one, but two, providers who are a fit for your needs, are currently accepting new patients, and (ideally) take your insurance. Luckily, Rula’s provider matching program makes it easier for people to virtually connect with the right care team for their mental health needs. 

For some people, the barrier to combined treatment is less about logistics and more about misconceptions. There’s still a stigma around therapy and medication, but learning more about both options can help you understand if a comprehensive approach is right for managing your mental health.

Long-term management and success

Combining therapy and medication requires a coordinated effort from everyone involved. Here are a few considerations to help you achieve sustainable healing and growth.

• Finding the right care team: If you’re already in therapy or working with a psychiatrist, explain that you’re interested in trying a combined approach to care. If you have a good relationship with that provider, they can probably refer you to another provider who can help support your long-term mental health goals. 

• Open communication between providers: With combined care, there should be regular communication between the therapist and psychiatric provider. Change doesn’t happen overnight, so it’s important that your care team stays in touch regarding your progress. 

• Consistent monitoring: Combining therapy and medication requires regular check-ins to track your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan. For example, you may realize that you need to change medications or switch the dosage. Meeting with your care team regularly can help you stay on track and monitor your progress. 

Find care with Rula

Whether you’re interested in therapy, psychiatry, or a combination of the two, it’s essential to find the right care team for your mental health needs. At Rula, we’re committed to helping people access quality mental health support when they need it most. Rather than waiting weeks or months for an appointment, you can connect with a therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance and has expertise treating your symptoms as soon as tomorrow. 

Find a provider