Counselor, Psychologist, Doctor? Oh my!
Looking for a mental health provider can feel like a full-time job having to sort through directories and google searches. As you look, it might feel overwhelming trying to decipher credentials and the letters behind a mental health provider’s name. I remember a story of a friend looking for mental health support but accidentally booked an appointment with a psychiatrist instead of a counselor. He was disappointed when the appointment was only 15 minutes and they rushed through talking about what was bothering him. This kind of mix up between psychiatrist and counselor can be avoided when you know what to expect from a mental health provider based on their credentials.
In mental health there are a ton of degrees and licenses. This is by no means the complete list of possibilities out there. But I wanted to pass along a general guide so you can better know what to expect when you are looking for a therapist. As a reminder, one credential doesn’t mean a mental health provider is better or worse, it just means they do slightly different things.
Doctorate Level
These folks would be called doctor and have received a 4-8 year graduate degree.
Psychiatrist: this is a medical doctor that has attended medical school. They are qualified to prescribe medication and usually do not do traditional talk therapy. You may see MD or DO after their name (e.g., John Doe, MD).
People look for a Psychiatrist specifically to get a prescription for medications and medical treatments.
Psychologist: this is a non-medical doctor that has attended graduate school in clinical psychology or a related field such as counseling. There are two types of degrees at this level that mental health professionals may obtain:
PhD- (doctor in philosophy) has most likely focused their training on doing research in the psychology field. Qualified to do talk therapy as well as administer psychological assessments, research and testing. (e.g., Jane Doe, PhD).
PsyD- (doctor in psychology) has most likely focused their training on the clinical and applied aspects of psychology. Qualified to do talk therapy and administer psychological testing. (e.g., Jane Doe, PsyD).
People look for a Psychologist for talk therapy (individual, couples, or groups). Additionally, people look for a Psychologist to get a formal psychological assessment (neurological test, personality test, etc.).
Masters Level
These folks would have received a 2 year graduate degree. There are a few different types of degrees at this level.
Counselor: have received a degree in counseling. Has focused their training on identifying disorders, administering psychotherapy and understanding emotional and psychological wellness. There are two types of license that a person may hold.
LPC- (licensed professional counselor) this is the first level of licensing for counselors. Qualified to do talk therapy. Requires clinical supervision. (John Doe, LPC)
LCPC- (licensed clinical professional counselor) this is the highest level of licensing for counselors. Qualified to do talk therapy. Has demonstrated the ability to practice independently. (Jane Doe, LCPC)
People seek out counselors for talk therapy (individual, couples, or groups).
Social Worker: have received a degree in social work. Has focused their training on clinical assessments, case management and most likely components of psychotherapy. There are two types of license that a person may hold.
LSW- (licensed social worker) this is the first level of licensing for social workers. Qualified to do talk therapy, tend to focus on connecting clients to resources. (Jane Doe, LSW)
LCSW- (licensed clinical social worker) this is the highest level of licensing for social workers. Qualified to do talk therapy. Has demonstrated the ability to practice independently. (John Doe, LCSW)
People seek out Social Workers for community resources and at times talk therapy (individual, couples, or groups).
Marriage and Family Therapist: have received a degree in counseling with a specialty in marriage and family counseling. Has focused their training on administering psychotherapy within family systems.
MFT- (marriage and family therapist) this is the first level of licensing for a marriage and family therapist. Qualified to do talk therapy, has a focus on couples and families but may work with individuals. (John Doe, MFT)
LMFT- (licensed marriage and family therapist) this is the highest level of licensing for a marriage and family therapist. Qualified to do talk therapy, has a focus on couples and families but may work with individuals. (Jane Doe, LMFT)
People seek out marriage and family therapists for talk therapy specific to couples and families.
Conclusion
Overall there are a ton of degrees and licenses in mental health care. As I mentioned, this is by no means the entire list of possibilities. This list serves as a guide to help you better understand what to expect. At the end of the day you can talk with your mental health provider to determine the qualifications and skills that person has that might match what you are looking for.
If you found this information useful consider starting therapy here at AllWell Therapy.
*Note: licensure in this article is specific to the state of Illinois. There may be some variation in the type of licensure obtained in different states.*
