Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
This is a very common question, and important to clarify.
What is a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Because they attend medical school and complete residency training, psychiatrists are trained in both the biological and psychological aspects of mental illness. They can prescribe medications, order and interpret lab tests, and assess how physical health conditions may affect mental health. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Campbell is a medical doctor.
What is a psychologist?
A psychologist holds a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology and specializes in understanding behavior, emotions, and thought patterns. Psychologists are highly trained in providing psychotherapy (talk therapy), psychological testing, and behavioral interventions. They do not prescribe medication.
Are all therapists psychologists?
No, not necessarily. Therapists can hold a variety of different degrees and certifications.
Often your treatment plan will consist of seeing both a psychiatrist, as well as either a psychologist or other therapist.
What does the "MD" after Dr. Campbell's name mean? How does this differ from other mental health providers?
“MD” stands for Doctor of Medicine. MD and DO psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Their training includes medical school and several years of advanced psychiatric residency training.
Because psychiatrists are physicians, they are trained to assess both mental and physical health when developing a treatment plan. This includes understanding how medical conditions, medications, hormones, sleep, nutrition, and other biological factors can affect mood, anxiety, attention, and overall mental health.
Other mental health prescribers such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants have different training, which is shorter in duration than that of physicians. The structure of education can also vary significantly between programs.
Mental health symptoms are often medically complex. Conditions involving sleep, hormones, autoimmune disease, neurologic illness, medications, substance use, nutrition, and other medical factors can mimic or worsen psychiatric symptoms.
The depth and duration of physician training is designed to prepare psychiatrists to:
- Diagnose complex or unclear presentations
- Manage treatment-resistant conditions
- Evaluate medical contributors to psychiatric symptoms
- Prescribe and monitor psychiatric medications safely, especially in medically complicated patients
- Recognize when additional medical evaluation and/or intervention is necessary
Does Dr. Campbell provide therapy services?
While she does incorporate principles of psychotherapy into medication management appointments, Dr. Campbell does not offer therapy-only appointments, and typically recommends that patients see a dedicated therapist in addition to medication management.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call Southampton Psychiatric Associate’s office number and follow prompting to the appointment line. 215-355-2011
Let the staff know you are requesting an appointment with Dr. Campbell. They will assist you in all of your needs for scheduling.
How much do appointments with Dr. Campbell cost?
How often will I have to see Dr. Campbell?
Frequency of visits is highly personalized and is typically a joint decision.
More often, individuals will meet with Dr. Campbell more frequently as they establish care and begin medication changes. Once your medication regimen is established, we can start to space out visits. On average, follow ups range anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months.
How can I get ahold of Dr. Campbell between appointments?
Please call the office at Southampton Psychiatric Associates and ask to leave a message for Dr. Campbell. Please feel comfortable leaving an informative message either with the office staff, or on Dr. Campbell’s voicemail. The staff will reach out to Dr. Campbell directly, who will in turn reach out to you during normal business hours.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please arrive a few minutes early to your first appointment and bring: your completed new patient packet, any recent doctor’s visit notes from your family/primary doctor, your updated medication list, and your most recent lab results.
Please go to Southampton Psychiatric Associate’s website for the new patient packet: Click this link to download the new patient packet for the practice.
How can I access my virtual visit with Dr. Campbell
A few minutes before your virtual visit is scheduled, please click here to access Dr. Campbell’s virtual waiting room. She will be with you momentarily. If you have trouble connecting please call our office.
What if I have other questions?
Please call the office for any further questions.