Types of Therapists
When I entered the term "Psychologist" into Google in June of 2013, I got 52,500,000 results! Try it! By the way, entering the term "Psychiatrist" produced 34,100,000 results and entering the term "Psychotherapist" produced 9,150,000 results! What's the difference anyway?! And while we are at it, what's the how about counselors and social workers?!
Psychologists
In the United States, Doctors of Philosophy (PhD), Psychology (PsyD), or Education (EdD) must complete at least four years of post graduate school education, followed in most cases by a full year internship or residency. Even after all of this training, however, the only people who can call themselves psychologists are those who have been licensed to practice by a state psychological board. In other words, even getting a doctoral degree in psychology does NOT guarantee that one can use the title of psychologist! Or, to put it another way, if someone is using the title psychologist or clinical psychologist, it means that they should have earned a doctorate AND passed a national licensing exam plus any required state exams for the state in which they are licensed to practice.
It is important to remember, however, that not all psychologists are experienced therapists. Many specialize in areas such as research or teaching and may have very little experience treating people. Also, do not assume that a PhD always indicates that the person is a Clinical psychologist. Many people earn PhDs in unrelated academic fields (e.g., English or History), and may decide to practice therapy without being clinically trained or licensed. You can often do a check on a psychologist by contacting the licensing board of the state in which they are practicing. To generalize for a moment, only Clinical psychologists are specifically trained in assessing a patient to determine the psychological problem and to respond by providing psychological treatments.
It is important to remember, however, that not all psychologists are experienced therapists. Many specialize in areas such as research or teaching and may have very little experience treating people. Also, do not assume that a PhD always indicates that the person is a Clinical psychologist. Many people earn PhDs in unrelated academic fields (e.g., English or History), and may decide to practice therapy without being clinically trained or licensed. You can often do a check on a psychologist by contacting the licensing board of the state in which they are practicing. To generalize for a moment, only Clinical psychologists are specifically trained in assessing a patient to determine the psychological problem and to respond by providing psychological treatments.
Psychiatrists
In most states, if medication is needed in addition to talk therapy, psychologists and other therapists must refer patients to a psychiatrist that aspect of treatment. In the United States, psychiatrists complete a medical degree (MD) like any other physician, followed by a four-year psychiatry specialty in order to become a psychiatrist.
Psychiatrists are particularly suited for working with patients who have complex or co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. While psychiatrists' fees are likely to be the highest of all mental health providers, they are also the most likely to be covered by insurance. In this day of managed care, psychiatrists rarely provide talk therapy, and instead tend to work with other non-medical psychotherapists, focusing on providing prescription and medication management services.
Psychiatrists are particularly suited for working with patients who have complex or co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. While psychiatrists' fees are likely to be the highest of all mental health providers, they are also the most likely to be covered by insurance. In this day of managed care, psychiatrists rarely provide talk therapy, and instead tend to work with other non-medical psychotherapists, focusing on providing prescription and medication management services.
Clinical Social Workers (CSWs)
While most CSWs have a Masters' Degree (about two years of graduate school), some CSWs have doctoral degrees. Clinical Social Workers credentials vary by state, but these are the most common: BSW (Bachelor's of Social Work), MSW (Master's of Social Work), ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers), or DCSW (Diplomate of Clinical Social Work).
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
MFTs usually have earned at least a Masters' Degree such as an: MA (Master of Arts), MS (Master of Science) or MEd (Master of Education). Marriage and Family Therapists have additional specialized training in the area of family therapy.
Professional Counselors (PCs)
Professional Counselors most typically include drug or alcohol abuse specialists, such as Certified Addiction Counselors (CAC level I, II, or III), and tend to have more generalized training in the area of psychology and counseling. A Professional Counselor may or may not have a Master's Degree. Professional Counselors are trained for supportive therapy. They usually focus on behavioral problems not clearly classified as mental illnesses.
Pastoral Counselors
Pastoral Counselors are clergy, who typically have the credentials MDiv (Master of Divinity) or ThD (Doctor of Theology) and have a degree from a seminary or rabbinical school, with additional training in therapy.
Psychoanalysts
Psychoanalysts can be any therapists trained in or practicing in the Freudian or analytic styled psychodynamic approach.