In the realm of mental health, the terminology can be confusing, including what we call our therapists. People often use the terms counselor, psychologist, and therapist interchangeably, but there are distinctions in professional roles in regards to specialties and areas of expertise. Understanding these differences can help you get the right kind of support for your needs.
What is a Therapist?
The term “therapist” is broad and inclusive. It encompasses both counselors and psychologists, as well as other mental health professionals like marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) and social workers (LCSWs). Each type of therapist has its own training background and set of specialties.
What is a Psychologist?
Specialties: Psychologists are professionals who have specialized knowledge in the science of human behavior and psychological processes. They can offer a wide range of services, from clinical psychology (providing therapy) to conducting psychological assessments and research. When providing therapy, Psychologists may take a “generalist” approach, where they treat a wide range of presenting concerns, or a “specialist” approach, where they only treat certain conditions.
Education: Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology, such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D. They also complete supervised training, including pre-doctoral internships and post-doctoral supervision, and pass licensing exams. Psychologists may have specialties in clinical, counseling, school, industrial-organizational, or research psychology, among others.
Approach: Psychologists can provide therapy, including various therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, or humanistic approaches. They often work with individuals who have diagnosable conditions or more complex or severe mental health concerns.
What is a Counselor?
Specialties: Counselors, often referred to as licensed professional counselors (LPCs), specialize in providing counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Counselors tend to be more generalists, addressing various mental health concerns and life challenges. However, a counselor may choose to seek out training and develop specific expertise areas and practice more as a specialist.
Education: Counselors typically need a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. Counselors must also complete supervised clinical experience and pass a licensing exam to practice independently.
Approach: Counselors employ talk therapy and counseling techniques to help clients address issues like relationship problems, grief, stress, anxiety, depression, and personal growth. They provide support, teach coping strategies, and assist clients in making positive life changes. Counselors might further develop expertise areas in a certain therapy modality, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
What is a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)?
LMFTs– also known as Couples Therapist, Relationship Therapists, or Family Therapists, are therapists who receive specialty training in working with relationships and family dynamics. They work with couples and families to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and address issues related to marriage and family life. Many LMFTs also work with individual clients addressing many of the issues that counselors (LPCs) address, which include a range of life stressors and problems. Like counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists may choose to seek out training and develop specific expertise areas and practice more as a specialist.
Education: Licensed Marriage and Family therapists need a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. They also complete supervised clinical experience in the field of relationship and family therapy and pass a licensing exam to practice independently.
What is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker?
LCSWs are therapists who are trained to address mental health and social issues from a social and environmental perspective. They often work with individuals, families, and groups and may specialize in areas like child welfare or family therapy. They may also develop specialities within a specific therapy modality or with treating specific presenting problems.
When choosing a therapist, it’s important to consider your specific needs and goals. In general, our recommendation is to work with a therapist who has expertise in the specific area you are wanting help with. Certain issues that bring us into therapy are more broadly treated and can be addressed by most therapists. However, certain other mental health issues benefit from more specialized treatment, including OCD, Health Anxiety, ADHD, Autism, and Substance Abuse, among others. Regardless of the title, the most important factor is finding a qualified and compassionate professional who can provide the support and guidance you require.