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.