Mental Health Professionals

Have you ever wondered about the difference between a social worker and a psychologist? Are you confused about when to reach out to a psychologist and when to contact a psychiatrist? See below for a list outlining the most common types of mental health providers, how they differ, and what services they provide. This article is meant to provide general information. It is not comprehensive.

Licensed mental health professionals may practice psychotherapy in similar ways but their schooling and training experiences vary.

Types of Mental Health Professionals

Masters Level Clinicians

Mental health counselors (MHC), social workers (MSW) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) typically attend a two year master’s program to receive their professional degrees. Mental health counselors typically receive coursework and practicum training focused on working with clients in a clinical setting. Social work programs often include coursework on policy and case management to guide them in helping clients navigate systems and connect them with community resources. Marriage and family therapy training programs typically focus more on family therapy and couples work. Both mental health counselors and social workers need 3,000 supervised clinical hours to sit for their clinical licensing exam, which allows them to practice independently outside of supervision. Marriage and family therapists need somewhere between 1,500 (in NY) to 3,000 (California) clinical hours before they can take their licensing exam. Once social workers, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists pass their licensing exam they become licensed to provide therapy in a given state or multiple states. At that point, their credentials change to licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT).

Masters in Psychology

There are several masters in psychology programs including a masters in general psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, or school psychology. These students typically spend 2 years in graduate school learning about psychology theory and practice. These degrees do not provide the ability to sit for a licensing exam and practice therapy independently under one’s own license. However, individuals with master’s level degrees in psychology can work in a variety of settings including schools, organizations, businesses, and “exempt settings” such as certain hospitals. However, school psychology students complete a 1-year school psychology internship following their coursework, allowing them to receive a certificate in school psychology.

Doctoral Level Clinicians

Psychologists attend doctoral programs in psychology, which typically take at least 5 years to complete. Psychology programs are specialized in specific areas, including clinical, counseling, school, social, developmental, industrial/organizational, etc. Most licensed practicing psychologists hold a degree from clinical, counseling, or school psychology doctoral programs. Other doctoral programs in psychology, for example, social psychology, focus more on academic training and research. Degrees conferred are either a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or Doctorate in Psychology (PSYD) and sometimes a Doctorate in Educational Psychology (EdD). PhD programs typically focus more on research, whereas PsyD programs put more emphasis on clinical training. Some programs have specialized concentrations, such as neuropsychology or child and adolescent psychology. PhD and PsyD programs require students to complete several years of practicum training, a doctoral dissertation, and a full-time 1-year of clinical internship prior to graduation. Both degrees allow for graduates to apply for licensure one year following their graduation once they have completed their required postdoctoral hours (as determined by each US state) and passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). At that point, psychologists can practice independently. Some psychologists continue their training by completing postdoctoral fellowships in specific areas of interest that may include neuropsychology, geriatric psychology, child/adolescent, specific disorders, or specific types of treatment modalities.

Aside from the longer minimum length of pre-licensure training, a distinctive factor that sets psychologists apart from other mental health professionals is that psychologists are trained to provide comprehensive psychological/neuropsychological evaluations and assessments.

Although some licensed psychologists do not conduct these assessments following graduate school, the training is invaluable in honing assessment skills, understanding personality structures and character organizations, and enhanced diagnostic training, as well as understanding the many intricacies of cognitive, social and emotional development and challenges. Additionally, it allows psychologists to work with schools and other settings that utilize psychological assessments with shared language and understanding.

Aside from practicing psychotherapy and clinical work, psychologists teach in academic settings, engage in research and grant-funded activities, supervise teams and students, hold leadership and administrative positions, and consult for schools, organizations, and other professionals.

PsyD and PhD in Psychology

DSWs and PhD in Social Work

A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) can pursue a doctorate in social work by completing either a DSW or a PhD in Social Work program. DSW programs generally focus on coursework to enhance clinical knowledge and skills, preparing advanced clinicians for leadership roles in academic and agency settings. PhD programs typically focus more on research-intensive curricula for graduates looking for academic and research positions.

All mental health professionals spend time pursuing additional training after they are licensed in the form of continuing education credits (CE). These are regulated by the state in which the professionals hold their licenses and vary according to degree.

Psychoanalysts

Psychoanalysis is a very specific and intensive type of psychotherapy. Patients generally meet several times weekly with their analysts for treatment. Psychoanalysts either have a masters degree or a doctoral degree in a mental health field plus specific training and experience in psychoanalysis. They complete competency exams, undergo their own psychoanalysis treatment, and obtain supervision by psychoanalysts as well.

Medical Providers Involved in Psychiatric Care

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists (MD/DO) complete medical school and then specialize in psychiatry for their residency years. Most psychiatrists focus on psychiatric assessments, prescribing medication, and medication management. They often collaborate with psychologists and other mental health professionals who work clinically with their patients. There are some psychiatrists who complete training in psychotherapy and provide therapy as well.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners first complete nursing school, become a registered nurse (RN) and often work as a nurse in the field. They can then pursue a masters degree to become a nurse practitioner. Once they pass the NP board certified exam, they become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). Psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medication and are involved in medication management.

Clergy

Rabbis and Pastoral Counselors

Rabbis and other clergy members are trained as leaders in religious guidance. Sometimes they are also trained in pastoral counseling. While their scope of practice includes halachic counsel, spiritual inspiration and leadership, and community engagement, they may not have completed intensive courses in understanding human psychology or completed formal practicum hours. These are not regulated positions, so there are no uniform requirements for training or clinical qualifications to meet prior to becoming a member of the clergy. They can be wonderful guides to speak to and seek advice from. However, they do not provide therapy. At times, mental health providers and rabbis or other religious leaders may work together to help an individual.

Coaches

Life Coaches

Life Coaches are sometimes confused with therapists. Life Coaches are NOT therapists. Life Coaches do not require any academic education nor formal qualifications. They are not allowed to treat mental illness nor can they provide psychotherapy. Another important factor to consider is that all therapists are required to follow a code of ethics and adhere to HIPAA regulations regarding confidentiality. These privacy rules protect your personal health information, and ensure that your therapist cannot share your information without specific written consent from you. Life Coaches are not bound by these rules and regulations.

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