In the Market for a New Therapist? A Guide to Letters and Licenses

What is the difference between a counselor and a therapist? How about a psychologist and psychiatrist? Better yet, what type of provider should you be looking for as you start your search? And what on Earth do those little letters after their names mean?

If you glimpse at the pie chart below, you can see the pool of mental health providers is diverse. The letters after a provider’s name (their credentials), their title, and the license(s) they hold can be really helpful if you know a little bit about them.

The following sections provide a brief guide to the mental health providers you will most likely encounter during your search. In addition, if you are curious for more information, a link to each provider’s specific national association or governing body is provided within their description.

Providers: Navigating the Master’s Degrees

Is there a difference between the titles counselor and therapist? Not really. It basically just reflects the provider’s personal preference. The provider’s credentials and formal license title are the nuggets of information that will give you the most information about their specific discipline and type of education. Even within their specific disciplines, the practitioners listed below all have a lot of overlap in the services they provide. The capabilities and credentials, as well as the major differences, are highlighted below.

• Counselors (LPC, LCPC): The clinical and counseling psychology disciplines are known for their emphasis on the individual with a focus on understanding human behavior, treating mental disorders, and restoring balance within the self (see American Counseling Association). Counselors can diagnose, but cannot prescribe. Also known as: Licensed Professional Counselors or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors
• Social Workers (LSW, LCSW): The social work discipline is known for its emphasis on connecting people with support in their community and working within an individual’s social context (e.g., your support system); however, social workers typically provide the same scope of counseling services as counselors (see National Association of Social Workers). Social workers can diagnose, but cannot prescribe. Also known as: Licensed Social Workers or Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• Marriage & Family Therapists (MFT, LMFT): These practitioners are trained to provide therapy and mental health treatment specifically in the context of marriage, couples, and families (see American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy). Marriage & Family Therapists can diagnose, but cannot prescribe. Also known as: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists
• Advanced Practice Nurse (APN, APRN): These practitioners are trained primarily from the medical model to understand and treat mental disorders. They can choose to pursue additional education to specialize in their area of interest (e.g., psychotherapy) and have the ability to practice independently (see American Psychiatric Nurses Association). Some can prescribe and some cannot, but all can diagnose. Also known as: Advanced Practice Nurses or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Providers: Navigating the Doctorate Degrees

Mental health professionals can also have doctorate degrees. Keep in mind, this does not necessarily mean they are “better” than a provider with a master’s degree. Many pursue doctorate degrees to earn certain practicing privileges or open up different career options. If you are wondering about a specific practitioner’s education level, it is more than alright to ask! Their answer may provide you with some clarity as you narrow down your options. Tip: You can typically differentiate these providers from those at the Master’s level because they have “Dr.” before their names.

• Psychiatrists (MD, DO): Psychiatrists are, generally speaking, the only mental health providers with the ability to prescribe medication. While they absolutely can see clients and provide counseling, it is more common to see them primarily in roles in which they are managing medication. In these cases, they will typically work with a therapist to ensure the best care is provided (see American Psychiatric Association). Psychiatrists hold a medical degree, so the little letters after their names will read either M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine).
• Psychologists (PhD, EdD, PsyD): Schooling for these practitioners usually heavily emphasizes clinical interviews, assessment tools, and psychological testing procedures to treat mental disorders or specific areas of concern. They provide counseling services much like master’s level counselors; although, due to the nature of their previous academic career, it is common for psychologists specialize in certain areas rather than generalize (see American Psychological Association). Psychologists can diagnose, but cannot prescribe.

How to Find a Mental Health Provider

Besides trying the classic Google search, these two directories can be extremely helpful for finding mental health providers in your area.

• To find a psychiatrist in your area: APA Directory
• To find a counseling provider in your area: Psychology Today Directory

Like the In the Market for a New Therapist series? It’s not over yet! Subscribe to the email list for updates on new articles or check out past articles: Three Questions to Help you Find the Best Fit and Three Points to Consider when Searching for the Best Fit

*The information regarding titles and credentials mentioned above is based on Illinois licensure. Please note there may be slight differences from state to state.

References:

APA. (2014, September). What proportion of the nation’s behavioral health providers are psychologists? Retrieved March 25, 2019, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/09/datapoint