Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on psychopathology — the medical field concerned with identifying, researching, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health and use a comprehensive clinical approach to support overall well-being. They can provide personalised treatment plans, including medication when needed.

The key difference is that psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication, whereas therapists or psychologists cannot. Psychologists primarily use talk-based approaches to help you work through your thoughts and emotions. In many cases, a combination of psychiatric and therapeutic support works best.

It depends on the nature and intensity of what you're experiencing. Psychologists are often a great starting point for emotional support, self-understanding, and talk-based treatment. If your symptoms feel more severe or may require medical intervention, a psychiatrist can assess and manage treatment, including medication when needed.

When in doubt, seeing a psychologist is usually a good first step. If additional psychiatric support would be helpful, they can guide you accordingly.

No, you do not need a referral, you can directly book a session with a psychiatrist on Rocket Health. Simply fill out the form here, choose a time that suits you, and you're all set. If you need more help, feel free to reach out to our Care Team.

Your first session is usually a detailed assessment where the psychiatrist understands your symptoms, concerns, and medical history to create the right treatment plan.

Follow-up sessions are typically shorter and focus on tracking progress, reviewing medications, and making adjustments if needed.

Not necessarily. Medication is one of several tools a psychiatrist may recommend, and it depends entirely on your diagnosis and needs. Your psychiatrist will discuss all available options with you and only suggest medication if it is genuinely beneficial for your condition and if you are open to it. You will always be involved in decisions about your treatment.

Yes — psychiatric medication is generally safe when taken as prescribed. Your psychiatrist will monitor your progress and adjust treatment if needed. It's best to avoid changing doses or stopping medication without medical guidance, as this can affect how well your treatment is working.

Psychiatrists can help with a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, and sleep disorders, among others. Please note that the scope of treatment may vary based on Rocket Health's telehealth guidelines. If you are unsure whether your concerns require psychiatric support, you can always reach out to our care team and we will help guide you in the right direction.

The duration of treatment varies from person to person and depends on the nature and severity of the condition. Some people may only need a few sessions to get clarity and a plan, while others may benefit from ongoing support. Your psychiatrist will work with you to determine what makes the most sense for your situation.

Absolutely! In fact, combining psychiatric support (for medication management, if needed) with therapy (for working through your thoughts and emotions) is often the most effective approach. Rocket Health makes it easy to access both types of support on the same platform.

Yes. Everything you share with your psychiatrist is kept completely confidential. Your personal information and session details will not be shared with anyone without your consent. The only exception is if there is a serious concern about your safety — in which case, your emergency contact may be informed and you'd be kept in loop about it.

Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is aimed at helping couples resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationship. Couples counseling can be an essential therapeutic approach for couples who are struggling with communication issues, conflict, or other challenges in their relationship.

Couples therapy usually lasts for 10–12 sessions, although some couples may need more or less depending on the severity of their issues. The length of time depends on the amount of effort a couple is willing to put in.

Without a doubt! Often, partners work well together but seek counseling to build or improve a certain aspect of their relationship. Couples counseling can help strengthen an already strong relationship.

The first session is an evaluation in which we gather information about you and your companion. We normally meet with couples individually in the second and third sessions to learn about their relationship history. We get couples back together at the fourth session to track their interaction habits.

You have already taken a step toward better mental health by choosing to go to therapy. Acknowledge it and be proud of the effort you have put in! Remember to set goals, be open and honest, and have realistic expectations. Schedule your session at a convenient time and keep an open mind. You can also note down a few things you’d like to discuss with your therapist beforehand.

Couples therapy often includes frequent sessions with a therapist to explore concerns in your relationship. The therapist will direct you and your partner in expressing more efficiently, addressing conflict, and deeper understanding each other.

Couples counseling is required when you and your partner are experiencing challenges that you are unable to overcome on your own. If you have a difficulty in your relationship, the sooner you seek assistance, the easier it will be to address it.

The initial goal for us is to make you feel secure in an environment where no one will judge you or allow you to be hurt. That way, we can work together to keep the relationship strong and continue to be a source of support, confidence, and well-being for both individuals.

It is often helpful if both partners are willing to participate in therapy, but it is not necessary. We frequently meet folks in relationships on a 1:1 level. Individual sessions often help in our understanding of you as an individual, enabling us to better understand you in the context of your relationship.

The amount of time it takes to see results from couples therapy depends on the severity of the problem and the willingness of both partners to work on the relationship. In most cases, noticeable improvements can be made within a few sessions.

The personal details of everyone seeking therapy are kept anonymous and confidential by therapists, and these details are not shared with anybody without the client's consent. However, in extreme cases where the client poses a danger to a person's - their own or someone else's - life, the therapist would get in touch with their emergency contact.

Online therapy is as helpful as face-to-face counselling. Like in-person therapy, online therapy also helps you express yourself with the help of a qualified professional. Plus, it saves you money, conveyance time, and the hassle of setting up in-person meetings. According to your comfort and convenience, you can ask your therapist to conduct online sessions over either a video or audio call.