The Difference Between Mental Health Professionals
The mental health world is populated with many types of professionals, each with
different training, different qualifications, and a different approach. Licenses may
be important if you're looking for a counselor who can prescribe medication or
who is expert in a particular problem such as drug addiction. But in general, good
therapy is most often the result of a great client-therapist connection. Because
most of us aren't quite clear on the differences between psychiatrists,
psychologists, counselors, and coaches, here's a rough field guide:
Art Therapist
Art therapists have a master's level degree in art therapy or a related field. They are
trained to use the creative process to help clients understand and better cope with
emotional issues. Art therapists may work with groups or individuals and may use
a wide variety of art materials to encourage clients to create visual representations
of their thoughts and feelings.
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Clinical social workers commonly hold a master's degree in social work (or the
equivalent) and have completed two years of supervised practice to obtain a
clinical license. They may use a variety of therapeutic techniques, including
psychodynamic therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Counselor/Therapist
Licensed Counselors have a master's or a doctoral degree in counseling or a
related area and complete two years of supervised practice. They are licensed as
independent providers of mental health services, including the diagnosis and
treatment of mental and emotional issues, and use a variety of therapeutic
techniques.
Drug & Alcohol Counselor
Drug and alcohol counselors have received specialized training in substance abuse
and recovery from addiction. They help patients discover the roots of their
addictions, manage withdrawal, and repair their lives and relationships.
Licensed Psychoanalyst
A licensed psychoanalyst has earned a postgraduate degree in psychology or
psychiatry and has had additional training in psychoanalysis, including undergoing
analysis himself. Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy wherein the patient explores
his patterns of thinking and behavior--some originating in various childhood
developmental phases--through free-association and identification with the analyst.
Psychoanalysts treat patients intensively.
Life Coach
Anyone can call himself a life coach, though some associations are in the process
of establishing professional guidelines for this fast-growing field. A life coach may
have mental health training, or may draw upon personal experiences to offer
clients help with setting and reaching personal and professional goals.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists have either a master's or doctorate degree
specializing in family and interpersonal dynamics. They treat individuals in the
context of family relationships, addressing issues from anger and resentment to
intimacy and communication skills.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists have at least a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
They work with children and adults who have conditions that are mentally,
physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. Occupational therapy
improves a patient's ability to perform tasks in their living and working
environments. They also help patients develop, recover, or maintain daily living
and work skills by improving basic motor functions and reasoning abilities.
Pastoral Counselor/Therapist
Pastoral counselors are trained in both psychology and theology, and provide
psychological as well as spiritual guidance to clients and their families. They
perform a variety of tasks such as conducting religious services, delivering religious
rites, and providing counseling and companionship to patients and family
members. In many cases they have a master's degree in divinity and are members
of the clergy.
Pre-Licensed Professional
A pre-licensed professional is in the process of meeting the requirements to
become a licensed practitioner. They may be interns, trainees, students, or
residents, and may treat patients under the supervision and guidance of licensed
therapists.
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric or mental-health nurses have received additional training in dealing
with behavioral issues, psychiatric drugs, and a variety of different therapies. They
may administer medication to patients as well as provide psychotherapy and
counseling.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an
additional four years of specialized mental-health training. Psychiatrists treat the
full range of emotional and mental disorders, and are licensed to prescribe
medication. Psychiatrists sometimes use psychotropic medication in conjunction
with therapy to treat patients.
Psychologist
Psychologists have earned a doctorate degree in psychology. Their training may
have been focused on theory and research methods, or they may have
concentrated in clinical therapy and counseling. Psychologists are required to
complete several years of supervised practice before becoming licensed.
The mental health world is populated with many types of professionals, each with
different training, different qualifications, and a different approach. Licenses may
be important if you're looking for a counselor who can prescribe medication or
who is expert in a particular problem such as drug addiction. But in general, good
therapy is most often the result of a great client-therapist connection. Because
most of us aren't quite clear on the differences between psychiatrists,
psychologists, counselors, and coaches, here's a rough field guide:
Art Therapist
Art therapists have a master's level degree in art therapy or a related field. They are
trained to use the creative process to help clients understand and better cope with
emotional issues. Art therapists may work with groups or individuals and may use
a wide variety of art materials to encourage clients to create visual representations
of their thoughts and feelings.
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Clinical social workers commonly hold a master's degree in social work (or the
equivalent) and have completed two years of supervised practice to obtain a
clinical license. They may use a variety of therapeutic techniques, including
psychodynamic therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Counselor/Therapist
Licensed Counselors have a master's or a doctoral degree in counseling or a
related area and complete two years of supervised practice. They are licensed as
independent providers of mental health services, including the diagnosis and
treatment of mental and emotional issues, and use a variety of therapeutic
techniques.
Drug & Alcohol Counselor
Drug and alcohol counselors have received specialized training in substance abuse
and recovery from addiction. They help patients discover the roots of their
addictions, manage withdrawal, and repair their lives and relationships.
Licensed Psychoanalyst
A licensed psychoanalyst has earned a postgraduate degree in psychology or
psychiatry and has had additional training in psychoanalysis, including undergoing
analysis himself. Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy wherein the patient explores
his patterns of thinking and behavior--some originating in various childhood
developmental phases--through free-association and identification with the analyst.
Psychoanalysts treat patients intensively.
Life Coach
Anyone can call himself a life coach, though some associations are in the process
of establishing professional guidelines for this fast-growing field. A life coach may
have mental health training, or may draw upon personal experiences to offer
clients help with setting and reaching personal and professional goals.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists have either a master's or doctorate degree
specializing in family and interpersonal dynamics. They treat individuals in the
context of family relationships, addressing issues from anger and resentment to
intimacy and communication skills.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists have at least a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
They work with children and adults who have conditions that are mentally,
physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. Occupational therapy
improves a patient's ability to perform tasks in their living and working
environments. They also help patients develop, recover, or maintain daily living
and work skills by improving basic motor functions and reasoning abilities.
Pastoral Counselor/Therapist
Pastoral counselors are trained in both psychology and theology, and provide
psychological as well as spiritual guidance to clients and their families. They
perform a variety of tasks such as conducting religious services, delivering religious
rites, and providing counseling and companionship to patients and family
members. In many cases they have a master's degree in divinity and are members
of the clergy.
Pre-Licensed Professional
A pre-licensed professional is in the process of meeting the requirements to
become a licensed practitioner. They may be interns, trainees, students, or
residents, and may treat patients under the supervision and guidance of licensed
therapists.
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric or mental-health nurses have received additional training in dealing
with behavioral issues, psychiatric drugs, and a variety of different therapies. They
may administer medication to patients as well as provide psychotherapy and
counseling.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an
additional four years of specialized mental-health training. Psychiatrists treat the
full range of emotional and mental disorders, and are licensed to prescribe
medication. Psychiatrists sometimes use psychotropic medication in conjunction
with therapy to treat patients.
Psychologist
Psychologists have earned a doctorate degree in psychology. Their training may
have been focused on theory and research methods, or they may have
concentrated in clinical therapy and counseling. Psychologists are required to
complete several years of supervised practice before becoming licensed.
| Sometimes all we need is a listening ear, a helping hand and a caring heart to find balance in our lives. |
| Terry McVannel Erwin, Ph.D. Dr. Erwin is a General Practitioner With a Special Interest in Working with Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Qualified Supervisor, Florida National Certified Counselor #78891 Licensed Mental Health Counselor #MH8591 Member, American Counseling Association #6139381 |
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