Everybody will have their own way of dealing with their emotional and mental health needs. However, just as people develop physical illness and need to see a health professional, many people may benefit from, or need, professional help for emotional issues or problems with their mental health at some point in their lives.  In order to make this as easy and comfortable an experience as possible, it may help to understand some of the commonly used job titles and types of treatment often used in mental health.

• Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a doctor who has specialised in the diagnosis and drug treatment of mental health issues. As well as being able to prescribe medicines (for example antidepressants), some psychiatrists will also be skilled in a range of psychotherapies (a type of psychological or ‘talking therapy’).

• Clinical psychologist A clinical psychologist provides psychological therapies for the treatment of mental health problems. They are also trained to do specialist assessments looking at the effect of illnesses on the brain. They will have academic training, and work in a hospital or other medical setting. Psychological therapies are based on talking and working with people to understand the causes and triggers of mental health problems and on developing practical strategies to deal with them. One example of such a therapy is cognitive behavioural therapy (often abbreviated as CBT), but there are many others.

• Mental health nurse A nurse who has undertaken specialist training in the provision of services, support and care to people with mental health issues. Many are trained to diagnose and treat mental health problems with medication and psychological therapies. They also offer advice and support to people with long-term mental health conditions.

• Community mental health nurse (CMHN) Sometimes known as a community psychiatric nurse (or CPN), a CMHN is also a registered nurse with specialist training in mental health. Some CMHNs are based in GP surgeries or community mental health centres, while others work from psychiatric units.

• Psychotherapist A person who provides treatment for emotional or mental health problems through talking. This person will be highly qualified and may or may not be a doctor. There is some overlap in the roles of a psychologist and a psychotherapist.

• Counsellor A counsellor can provide short-term support and an opportunity to talk through emotional issues, for example after receiving an HIV diagnosis. (Contact details for finding a counsellor).

• Community mental health team (CMHT) These teams help people with more complex mental health needs to live independently, but with support, instead of being admitted to hospital. These teams will include mental health professionals such as those listed above, as well as local authority social services staff. You will need to have a GP to use a CMHT, even if your HIV clinic makes a referral on your behalf. They do not generally accept self-referrals, but your GP can tell you more about this.

Most mental health teams only see people who live in the area covered by the team. Some hospitals and HIV clinics can bring in psychiatric services to provide mental health care and support for their patients when it’s needed.

• Psychological wellbeing practitioner A new type of NHS worker, who can provide support and care for people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety and depression. They are linked to existing services; your GP can refer you to them or you may be able to refer yourself.