What does it mean to be a therapist

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Sometimes I feel like I need a decoder ring to understand therapist credentials.  You too?  Seriously, who knew?

Should you even care about all those letters?  Are they important?  Is it just a way to make therapists feel important?  Good questions!  Basically, those letters are just identifiers to let you know what kind of education, license, and certifications a therapist has.  This is one factor you may choose to take into consideration when searching for the mental health professional who’s right for you.

A little while ago Litsa put together a super helpful guide for understanding mental health credentials and we’re posting it here for you to use as a reference.  If you are looking for a therapist or counselor, have previously searched for one, or are open to the possibility of some day seeing one, this post should prove helpful.  Though this is not an exhaustive list,  it should be a pretty good place to start with knowing what those letters mean.

Psychiatrist

MD (they will have Dr. before their name)

Training: Medical School

Quick tips: In an outpatient setting psychiatrists typically focus on medication management, and often work with another practitioner (below) who handles the therapy. 

Psychologist: Doctorate Level

PhD, PsyD, EdD (they will also have Dr. before their name)

Training: completion of a PhD, PsyD, or EdD program in psychology.  All degrees require clinical field experience and dissertations, though a PsyD or EdD is typically more clinically focused, while a PhD is more research focused.

Quick tips: Though PhDs are often doing research, some offer therapy and private practice.  Many of these individuals will have a very specific area of interest or expertise, which can be great if their interest matches your needs!  They cannot prescribe medications, but may work with a psychiatrist who does medication management.

Find a psychologist here: //locator.apa.org/

Psychologist: Masters Level

MA, MS, LGPC, LCPC

Training: completion of a masters program in psychology, counseling psychology, mental health counseling, or a closely related field.  Those with an “L” have completed licensure requirements which may involve state board exams and supervision hours.

Quick tips: These practitioners can diagnose, offer counseling, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches.  They may have additional certifications based on their specific area of interest or experience (even more letters after their name).  They cannot prescribe medications, but may work with a psychiatrist who does medication management.

Find a psychologist here: //locator.apa.org/

Social Worker

MSW, LGSW, LCSW, LMSW, LCSW-C, LISW, LSW (and probably more, as this varies depending on state license, but will always involve an “SW”)

Training: completion of a masters program in clinical social work.  Those with an “L” have completed licensure requirements which may involve state board exams and supervision hours.

Quick tips: These practitioners can diagnose, offer counseling, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches.  They may have additional certifications based on their specific area of interest or experience (even more letters after their name).  They cannot prescribe medications, but may work with a psychiatrist who does medication management.

Find a social worker here: //www.helppro.com/

Marriage and Family Therapist

MA, MFT, LMFT, LCMFT

Training: completion of a masters program in Marriage and Family Therapy.  Those with an “L” have completed licensure requirements which may involve state board exams and supervision hours.

Quick tips: These practitioners can diagnose, offer counseling, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches.  They may have additional certifications based on their specific area of interest or experience (even more letters after their name).  They cannot prescribe medications, but may work with a psychiatrist who does medication management.

Find an MFT here: www.therapistloctator.net

Pastoral Counseling

MA, CCPT, CpastC, NCPC, NCCA

Training: completion of a masters program in Pastoral Counseling or Pastoral Therapy.  These programs typically involve a combination of coursework in therapeutic approaches and clinical counseling skills in combination with theology, spiritual counseling, and pastoral care/chaplaincy. 

Quick tips: This is a specific degree program that differentiates a pastoral counselor from a priest, pastor, or clergy person who may provide informal spiritual support. These practitioners can offer licensed counseling services, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches.  Many pastoral counselors work in hospital or hospice chaplaincy, in ministry, institutions of higher education, or individual clinical practice. 

Some professionals have their advanced degrees, then they get even more letters.  These are typically for certifications obtained through a particular accreditation body or through advanced training and/or testing in a specific clinical area.   If your counselor has addition certifications, ask about it.  A quick google search should give your more information about the specific certification program if you are interested.

Please keep in mind, what type of education, license, and certification they have is less likely to impact whether they are a good fit for you as what kind of therapy they practice and their personality.  Click here to learn about what types of therapy people practice.  If you aren’t happy with your progress in therapy, let your therapist know.  Give it a few visits, but if it clearly isn’t a good fit,  find someone new.  Like any other human relationship, sometimes people just are not a match!

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