Recognizing that you need help with your mental health is a big step, and one that should be rewarded with an easy and supportive process toward accessing that help.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
It’s increasingly common to hear of people struggling to find psychiatrists accepting new patients, which leads to many giving up before they’ve even started.
Others become overwhelmed just trying to understand the type of help they need and who they need to see – a psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health therapist or counselor…
At REACH Behavioral Health Ohio, we believe that high-quality mental health care should be accessible when you need it – not months down the line.
And we believe that helping people understand the type of help they need should be prioritized just as much as the care itself.
So whether you’re looking for a psychiatrist for a mental illness you’re already aware of, or help identifying the type of support that you need, REACH is here to help. With a growing team of expert licensed professionals across multiple Ohio locations – including Akron, Elyria, Ravenna, Westlake, and Westpark Cleveland – plus remote teletherapy options, we’re ready to support you on your journey to better mental health, and we strive to always have the capacity to accept new patients.
Why choose REACH for mental health care in Ohio?
At REACH, we offer a comprehensive and holistic approach to mental health care. That means we treat the whole person – not just the symptoms.
Our expert team includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, and licensed therapists who work together to provide personalized care plans that meet your unique needs – whether that’s medication management to relieve your symptoms, psychotherapy to help you understand your condition and how to cope with or overcome it, or both.
We know it’s not always easy to find a psychiatrist accepting new patients. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring ongoing access to care by continuously expanding our clinical team, and offering as much flexibility as possible.
We’re proud to provide mental health care across Ohio, through either in-person care or via the convenience of virtual therapy sessions:
- In-person psychotherapy and counseling at centers in Akron, Elyria, Ravenna, Westlake, and Westpark Cleveland.
- In-person psychiatry and other medical mental health services (such as ketamine therapy for depression) at Westpark Cleveland.
- Telehealth psychiatry and psychotherapy services offered statewide to all Ohio residents.
Whatever your mental health needs and wherever you are based in Ohio, our team is here to help.
“Very friendly and helpful staff. Definitely would recommend for anyone that’s looking for therapy and/or medication. Jessica at the front desk is awesome and friendly along with her dog Piper who I always love to see. I do the Spravato treatment and Sara is very friendly and makes you feel welcome and relaxed. Dr. Swartz is the best psychiatrist I’ve seen and I’ve seen a few. He listens, tries to fix your problems and offers various options. You can tell him and the rest of the staff genuinely care. He’s the best psychiatrist I’ve been to. I can’t say enough good things about Reach. They’ve helped me a lot. They offer virtual appointments too.” – Amanda, REACH Behavioral Health – Cleveland
Should you see a therapist or psychiatrist for mental illness?
A common question we hear is: “Do I need a therapist or a psychiatrist?” The answer depends on your specific concerns.
- Therapists (also known as psychotherapists, mental help therapists, or counselors) specialize in talk therapy. They help individuals work through psychological and emotional challenges, develop coping skills, and build healthier patterns and relationships.
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health disorders, and prescribe medication when necessary.
At REACH, you don’t have to choose between one or the other – we offer both, and will be able to recommend the best professional for your immediate needs.
Many of our clients also benefit from a combined approach, where medication and therapy work together to support healing.
So whatever it is you’re dealing with – from anxiety or depression to PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, or another condition – our integrated team makes it easy to get the right care, right away.
Psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist: what’s the difference?
While psychiatry and therapy cover the broadest definitions, we know the specific titles of mental health professionals can still be confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out which type of support is right for you.
Here’s a clearer look at who does what, and what kinds of challenges each can help with:
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who can diagnose mental health disorders, prescribe medication, and oversee medical management of symptoms – often in combination with talk therapy. Common issues they treat include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Severe depression
- PTSD
- ADHD
- Psychologists hold a PhD or PsyD and are trained in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment using evidence-based talk therapies – without medication. Common issues they treat include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorders
- Addictions
- Domestic abuse recovery
- Therapists or counselorsare licensed mental health professionals with master’s-level training. They use evidence-based talk therapies to treat a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal issues, including:
- Stress and burnout
- Grief and loss
- Relationship and family challenges
- Low self-esteem and identity concerns
- Life transitions
- Anxiety and mild to moderate depression
- Domestic violence
- Psychotherapist is a broader term often used interchangeably with therapist or counselor. It refers to any trained mental health professional who provides structured talk therapy using approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), trauma-informed therapy, and more. Psychotherapists support individuals coping with long-term emotional patterns, trauma, and chronic mental health challenges.
In short, psychiatrists are the only professionals who can prescribe medication for mental health illnesses. However, psychiatrists and psychologists or other mental health therapists frequently work alongside each other, to provide the most effective, complete approach to treatment.
At REACH, we take the guesswork out of finding the right professional. Whether you need medication, therapy, or a combination of both, our intake process helps connect you with the right provider based on your needs – and we’ll support you every step of the way.
What mental health conditions can REACH Ohio treat?
Because REACH Behavioral Health brings together a complete team of mental health professionals in Ohio – including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and counselors – we’re able to offer support for a full range of mental health conditions and emotional challenges.
From common concerns like anxiety, depression, and stress, to more complex or long-term conditions such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, or ADHD, our team offers both the expertise and compassion needed to help you feel better.
We also provide support for issues like grief, addiction recovery, and trauma from domestic abuse – all with personalized care plans designed around your goals and needs.
If you already know the type of help you need, and are looking for a psychiatrist accepting new patients – we’re pleased to say that we can help. We offer in-person psychiatric care at our Westpark Cleveland location, and statewide via our telehealth service.
If you’re unsure whether you need therapy, psychiatry, or both, we’ll help you identify the help you need.
REACH Ohio’s locations for psychiatry and psychotherapy
REACH offers expert in-person mental health services at the following convenient locations in Ohio:
Psychiatry and Spravato ketamine therapy for depression:
For those who prefer to stay home, or who need greater convenience or flexibility, we also offer telehealth services – for psychiatry as well as talk therapy.
As long as you’re an Ohio resident, you can access our high-quality care in the manner that suits you best.
Does insurance cover psychiatric care?
We know that cost can sometimes be a concern and a potential barrier to accessing the help you need when it comes to mental health.
The good news is, most insurance plans do cover psychiatric services, and REACH accepts all major insurance plans.
If you’re not sure what’s covered under your plan, our team can help. We’ll work with you to verify benefits, explain any costs, and make sure you know what to expect – so you can focus on getting better, not paperwork.
Get started with a psychiatrist or mental health therapist near you
At REACH Behavioral Health, we believe that everyone deserves access to compassionate, expert care – no matter where you live or what you’re going through.
We’re aware of how hard it can be to find a psychiatrist, and are committed to minimizing that problem for Ohio residents.
With flexible appointment options, multiple locations in Ohio, and a dedicated and ever-growing team of professionals, we’re here to make mental health support more accessible than ever. Our aim is to always have psychiatrists who are able to accept new patients.
If you’re ready to take that next step, reach out to us today. Whether you’re searching for a mental health therapist near you, a psychiatrist, or both, we’ll find you the help you need.