When you are searching for a therapist or other mental health provider, it can be easy to get confused by the many types of therapists. Here are some of the most common types of therapists and mental health providers, and a brief description of their training.
Psychotherapist
"Psychotherapist" is actually just a general and unregulated term referring to a person who provides psychotherapy. Anyone can call themself a psychotherapist, so be sure to ask about training and experience if a potential therapist is using this title.
Psychologist
A psychologist is any person with a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. Not all psychologists, however, have been trained to provide treatment -- clinical and counseling psychologists have special training in mental health treatment. Psychologists in these specialties have extensive training conducting psychological assessments and providing psychotherapy.
In most states, a psychologist must have a license to provide treatment. In Louisiana and New Mexico, psychologists can also prescribe medications.
School Psychologist
School psychologists actually have somewhat different training backgrounds than other psychologists. School psychologists do not need to have a doctoral degree, are required to have a master's degree, and must be licensed or certified to provide services by the state.
School psychologists provide a range of services, including consulting with parents, teachers, and the school system about mental health and behavioral issues, providing psychological counseling, developing school-wide programs related to mental health and behavioral issues, and assessing academic skills.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) with speciality training in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. A psychiatrist has a state license to practice medicine, and can conduct assessments and provide treatment (both medications and psychotherapy) for psychological disorders.
Due to high demand for their services, many psychiatrists now focus on medication management, and provide referrals for psychotherapy or other mental health services (although this is not always the case, so you should ask your psychiatrist how his practice works).
Mental Health Counselor
A mental health counselor generally has a master's degree in counseling or counseling psychology (M.A.) as well as many hours of training experience providing counseling for mental health issues. Some mental health counselors also have a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in counseling.
In order to provide treatment without supervision, a mental health counselor must obtain a license from the state. Mental health counselors may conduct assessments and provide psychotherapy.
Marriage and Family Therapist
A marriage and family therapist is an individual with a master's (M.A.) or doctoral degree (Ph.D) in marital and family therapy. Marriage and family therapists must also complete at least two years of supervised clinical experience. Many states require a marriage and family therapist to obtain a license to practice. Marriage and family therapists can provide assessments and psychotherapy for psychological issues, but focus on psychological issues as they exist within marital and familial relationships.
Social Worker
Many types of social workers are out there, and not all are trained to provide mental health treatment. A social worker may have a bachelor's degree (a degree from a 4-year university or college, B.A., B.S., or B.S.W), a master's degree (M.A., M.S., M.S.W, or M.S.S.W), or a doctoral degree (D.S.W or Ph.D.).
Social workers who provide mental health services must take the additional step of becoming licensed by the state (in this case, they will have the letters L.C.S.W. or L.I.C.S.W.). Licensed clinical social workers can provide a range of services, including assessment, psychotherapy, and case management, but cannot prescribe medications.
Psychiatric Nurse
The title "psychiatric nurse" can include nurses from a variety of training backgrounds and levels of experience. A psychiatric nurse may have a bachelor's degree (from a 4-year college or university, B.S.N.), a master's degree (M.S.N.), or a doctorate (D.N.Sc. or Ph.D.). Psychiatric nurses may provide nursing care in psychiatric treatment settings. With special training, they may also provide psychotherapy and prescribe medications.
Pastoral Counselor
Pastoral counselors have training in both theology (religion) and psychology, and use an integration of the two in their approach to treating mental health problems. Pastoral counselors may have a bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university, a professional degree from a seminary, or a master's degree (M.A.) or doctoral degree (D.Min., Ph.D.). Pastoral counselors are certified by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and can provide psychotherapy.
Source:
Mandersheid, RW, & Henderson, MJ, (Eds.) Mental Health, United States. DHHS Pub. (SMA) 3938. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2004.
