Adding on to this: if you've had negative experiences with psychiatrists in the past, first off, do not let NPs be the primary managers of your care, and secondly, consider seeking out a DO physician psychiatrist. I'm currently a DO student, and while the medical education is equivalent to an MD program, the philosophy is more "person" oriented than "patient" oriented. There's a strong emphasis on treating your patients as whole people and taking advantage of the body and mind's abilities for self-regulation and healing. A DO will absolutely prescribe medications when necessary and DO's are not "holistic" quacks, but they do have more emphasis in their training on helping you find non-chemical solutions if medication is not the best answer to the question or if you are hesitant about medication.