What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?

A therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PhD, PsyD) provides talk therapy — sessions where you work through thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT, or EMDR. Therapists do not prescribe medication. A psychiatrist (MD, DO) is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health — they evaluate, prescribe, and manage psychiatric medications. At Positive Reset Eatontown, both work together when needed.

Do I need therapy, medication, or both?

It depends on the condition and your preferences. Mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression often respond well to therapy alone. Severe depression, bipolar disorder, severe OCD, and ADHD typically require medication, sometimes alone but more often combined with therapy. Treatment-resistant depression may benefit from TMS. We make this recommendation after the first 1–2 sessions, and you always have the final say.

How long does treatment usually take?

For most outpatient mental health concerns, therapy runs 8–20 sessions over 3–6 months. Some people stay longer for ongoing support; others finish in fewer sessions. Medication is more variable — some people take an antidepressant for 6–12 months, others longer. We re-evaluate the plan every 90 days so you're not paying for sessions you don't need.

What therapy modalities do your clinicians use?

We use evidence-based modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Behavioral Activation, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. Each clinician has primary modalities they're trained in — we match you to a clinician based on your concern and preferences.

Will you prescribe controlled substances like Adderall or Xanax?

We can. Stimulants for ADHD (Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta) are commonly prescribed by our psychiatrists with appropriate diagnosis and monitoring. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin) are prescribed cautiously and usually short-term, because they carry dependence risk. We follow standard clinical guidelines: we'll never refuse a medication that's clinically indicated, and we won't prescribe one that isn't. ---

How do I book my first appointment?

Call (732) 724-1234, or use the booking form on this site. The first call takes 10–15 minutes — we verify insurance, ask about your concern, and match you with the right clinician. We confirm your first appointment by phone or email within 24 business hours.

Psychiatry in Eatontown, NJ | Evaluation + Medication

Psychiatry at Positive Reset Eatontown is the medical-side practice of mental health: diagnostic evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychiatric advanced-practice nurse (APN-PMH), prescription and monitoring of psychiatric medications, and ongoing management of conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD. The first visit is a 60-90 minute psychiatric evaluation that maps your full history and current symptoms, after which we make a diagnostic and treatment recommendation. Follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes and run every 4-12 weeks depending on stability. Psychiatry is available in person at our Eatontown office and via telehealth across all of New Jersey for most visits (some controlled-substance visits require in-person). We accept NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid), Medicare, and most major commercial insurance.

Conditions we treat with psychiatry

Psychiatry is one of several evidence-based approaches we use. Specific conditions and presentations where this modality is commonly indicated:

Insurance and cost

Psychiatry is covered by NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) — all 5 MCOs at $0 out-of-pocket for most members, and by most major commercial plans under the federal Mental Health Parity Act. We verify benefits in writing before your first visit.

Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare)

Clinicians who provide psychiatry

Evan Brooks
APN-PMH, RN
medication management · ADHD

Common questions about psychiatry

What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?
A therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PhD, PsyD) provides talk therapy — sessions where you work through thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT, or EMDR. Therapists do not prescribe medication. A psychiatrist (MD, DO) is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health — they evaluate, prescribe, and manage psychiatric medications. At Positive Reset Eatontown, both work together when needed.
Do I need therapy, medication, or both?
It depends on the condition and your preferences. Mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression often respond well to therapy alone. Severe depression, bipolar disorder, severe OCD, and ADHD typically require medication, sometimes alone but more often combined with therapy. Treatment-resistant depression may benefit from TMS. We make this recommendation after the first 1–2 sessions, and you always have the final say.
How long does treatment usually take?
For most outpatient mental health concerns, therapy runs 8–20 sessions over 3–6 months. Some people stay longer for ongoing support; others finish in fewer sessions. Medication is more variable — some people take an antidepressant for 6–12 months, others longer. We re-evaluate the plan every 90 days so you're not paying for sessions you don't need.
What therapy modalities do your clinicians use?
We use evidence-based modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Behavioral Activation, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. Each clinician has primary modalities they're trained in — we match you to a clinician based on your concern and preferences.
Will you prescribe controlled substances like Adderall or Xanax?
We can. Stimulants for ADHD (Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta) are commonly prescribed by our psychiatrists with appropriate diagnosis and monitoring. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin) are prescribed cautiously and usually short-term, because they carry dependence risk. We follow standard clinical guidelines: we'll never refuse a medication that's clinically indicated, and we won't prescribe one that isn't. ---
How do I book my first appointment?
Call (732) 724-1234, or use the booking form on this site. The first call takes 10–15 minutes — we verify insurance, ask about your concern, and match you with the right clinician. We confirm your first appointment by phone or email within 24 business hours.

References

Combined psychotherapy and medication is the standard of care for moderate-to-severe depression and bipolar disorder. APA (opens in new tab).
Initial psychiatric evaluation should include comprehensive medical and psychiatric history. NIMH (opens in new tab).
DEA controlled-substance regulations require certain psychiatric medications to be prescribed in person initially. FDA (opens in new tab).

Clinically reviewed by Joseph Vacchiano, LCSW LCADC. Last reviewed: 2026-04-29.

Psychiatry in Eatontown, NJ