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Is It Time to See a Psychiatrist or Therapist in Chicago, Illinois?
- Lovelyne A Ngeche PMHNP-BC
- Dec 1, 2025
- 7 min read
You know you are not feeling like yourself. Maybe you wake up already tired. Maybe your thoughts race on the Red Line ride home. Maybe you cancel plans in the Loop because you feel too low or too anxious to go.
At some point, a quiet question shows up: Should I see a psychiatrist or a therapist?
If you live in Chicago or the nearby suburbs, this guide will help you understand the difference, decide who to see first, and see how Loving Minds Psychiatry can support you by telehealth across Illinois. Loving Minds is an online outpatient psychiatry clinic based in Downers Grove that serves the entire state and is adding in-person services at a new location. (Loving Minds Psychiatry Services LLC)
Psychiatrist vs. Therapist: In Simple Words
Many people use the words "therapist," "counselor," and "psychiatrist" as if they are the same. They are all mental health professionals, but they do different jobs. National mental health groups explain it in a simple way (NAMI):
A psychiatrist is a medical professional. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and psychiatric nurse practitioners. They can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. They also understand how physical health, labs, and medicines work together. (American Psychological Association)
A therapist is a talk therapy professional. This includes psychologists, licensed counselors, and clinical social workers. They focus on therapy sessions that help you understand thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and practice new skills. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Many people in Chicago see both at different times. You might see a therapist weekly for skills and support while a psychiatric provider checks in every month or two to manage medication.
What a Psychiatrist Does (psychiatrist or therapist in Chicago, IL)
A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner will focus on the medical side of mental health. Their work often includes:
Listening to your story and symptoms.
Asking about your sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and mood.
Screening for conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, and psychotic disorders. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Ordering or reviewing lab tests when needed.
Prescribing and adjusting medication.
Coordinating with therapists and primary care clinicians.
At Loving Minds Psychiatry in Illinois, services include full psychiatric evaluations, medication management, treatment for substance use, and cognitive behavioral therapy and online therapy options. Care is offered by telehealth right now, with in-person visits planned at the Downers Grove clinic.
Guidance: If you are not sure whether medicine could help, or if you already take psychiatric medication and are not doing well, a psychiatrist is usually the best first step.
What a Therapist Does
Therapists focus on talk therapy, also called psychotherapy. National mental health agencies describe psychotherapy as a structured conversation that helps you:
Recognize patterns in thoughts and feelings.
Build coping skills.
Improve relationships.
Change unhelpful behaviors over time. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Therapists cannot usually prescribe medication. Instead, they offer methods such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To challenge unhelpful thoughts and practice new habits.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance.
Family or Couples Therapy: To improve communication and problem-solving.
On the Loving Minds site, you will see therapy services listed as coming soon, with individual, group, family, couples, online therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical therapy all planned. The practice already highlights online therapy and CBT services across Illinois and also provides referrals when you need separate talk therapy support.
Guidance: If you want a space to talk through stress, grief, trauma, or relationship patterns and practice skills week by week, a therapist can be the right starting point.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose
You do not have to give yourself a perfect diagnosis. Instead, ask yourself a few simple questions based on guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health on when to seek help (NIMH):
How long have these symptoms been going on?
Are they getting in the way of work, school, parenting, or relationships?
Have I already tried basic steps like sleep, movement, and support from friends without enough relief?
Do I feel safe with myself and others?
Do I think I might need or already use psychiatric medication?
Your answers will point toward the type of provider that fits best for now.
When a Psychiatrist is Usually the Better First Step
Choose a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner first if one or more of these fits you:
Persistent Depression: You have strong symptoms of depression that last at least two weeks, such as feeling sad or empty most of the day, losing interest in usual activities, big changes in sleep or appetite, or trouble functioning at work or school.
Intense Anxiety: You have intense anxiety or panic that feels constant or is hard to control and that interferes with daily life in Chicago, such as taking public transit, going to class, or working your shift.
Harmful Thoughts: You have thoughts about death, self-harm, or wishing you would disappear.
Mood Swings: You notice big mood swings, very high energy with little need for sleep, or risky decisions with money, sex, driving, or substances.
Altered Reality: You see or hear things that others do not, or you have fixed beliefs that others say do not match reality.
Medication Management: You already take psychiatric medication and need a new prescriber or a second opinion.
National mental health information explains that these patterns can signal conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or psychotic disorders. These often need medical care and sometimes a mix of medication and therapy. (National Institute of Mental Health)
At Loving Minds Psychiatry in Illinois, the clinic is set up for this type of care. They provide telehealth psychiatric evaluations and medication management for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, ADHD, insomnia, trauma, and more for people roughly ages 6 through 65.
When a Therapist Can Be a Good First Step
Choose a therapist first if:
Your symptoms are mild to moderate.
You feel stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck but you are still getting through work or school most days.
You want help with grief, breakups, parenting stress, or work conflict.
You hope to understand long-term patterns in relationships or self-esteem.
You want to try proven skills like grounding, exposure practice, or communication tools before you consider medication.
NIMH notes that many people with mild to moderate anxiety or depression improve with psychotherapy alone, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. (National Institute of Mental Health)
If you start with a therapist and they think medication might help, they will usually suggest that you add a psychiatric provider for a shared plan.
When It Makes Sense to See Both
For many people, the best answer to "psychiatrist or therapist Chicago" is actually both.
Research summaries and national guidance explain that a mix of medication and psychotherapy is often most effective for moderate to severe depression and some anxiety disorders.
You might:
Start with a psychiatrist at Loving Minds for a full evaluation and medication plan.
Meet with a therapist in Chicago weekly for skills and support.
Have your providers share information, with your permission, so everyone is working toward the same goals.
If you are not sure where to start, it is fine to book one type of visit and ask for help building the rest of your team.
Red Flag Signs: You Should Not Wait
Some situations are urgent and should not wait for a routine new patient visit. National and federal mental health resources encourage immediate help when there is a risk of suicide or serious harm. (SAMHSA)
Get emergency help right away if:
You think about killing yourself and feel you might act on those thoughts.
You have a plan to hurt yourself or someone else.
You hear a voice telling you to harm yourself or others.
You feel so depressed or confused that you cannot care for basic needs.
You mix heavy substance use with strong mood symptoms or unsafe behavior.
Call or text 988 in the United States for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. After you are safe, you can follow up with a psychiatric provider or therapist for ongoing care.
How Loving Minds Psychiatry Supports People in Chicago
Even though the clinic is in Downers Grove, Loving Minds Psychiatry serves the entire Illinois area through secure telehealth. The contact page describes it as an online outpatient psychiatry clinic built to fit your schedule and lifestyle with visits from home on weekdays. (Loving Minds Psychiatry Services LLC)
Here is what care usually looks like for Chicago residents:
Step One: Book Your Visit
Visit the Loving Minds website and choose Book Online.
Select a telehealth appointment time that fits your work or school day.
Use the secure portal to share basic information, insurance, and your main concerns.
Step Two: A Full Psychiatric Evaluation
During your first telehealth visit your provider will:
Ask about current symptoms, stress, and strengths.
Review your medical history and past treatments.
Screen for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, sleep problems, psychotic symptoms, and substance use concerns.
Talk with you about your goals such as sleeping through the night, being calmer on the train, or feeling more like yourself with friends.
Step Three: A Clear and Practical Plan
Together you build a plan that may include:
Medication options, if they are likely to help.
Short, concrete strategies you can start this week, such as sleep routines, slow breathing, or simple exposure steps for feared places in Chicago.
Referrals to local therapists in your neighborhood or online therapy options for ongoing talk therapy.
Follow-up telehealth visits to track what is working and adjust when needed.
Therapy services at Loving Minds are expanding, including individual, group, family, couples, online therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy options across Illinois. As these grow, your psychiatric provider can help you pair medication management with therapy in one connected plan.
How to Decide Today if You Live in Chicago
If you are still torn between a psychiatrist and a therapist in Chicago, try a quick checklist:
[ ] Your symptoms are strong, last more than two weeks, or keep coming back.
[ ] You wonder if medication might help.
[ ] You already tried self-help steps and still feel stuck.
[ ] You want one person to look at the full picture and guide you.
If any of these feel true, booking a psychiatric evaluation with Loving Minds Psychiatry is a solid next step. After that, you and your provider can decide together whether you also need a therapist, either at Loving Minds as services expand or through a trusted local referral.
You do not have to solve this alone. If you live in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois and keep wondering if it is time to see a psychiatrist or therapist, that question itself is a sign you deserve support. Reaching out is a practical and hopeful step toward feeling steadier in your daily life.
