Therapist Vs. Psychologist: What's The Difference?
Choosing to seek mental health services through individual, group, couples or family therapy with a licensed psychologist can be a brave choice to prioritize your well-being. Whether you see a mental health counselor, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist, these professionals have the expertise to assist you in various areas of mental health. Finding an individual with the credentials to treat your specific concerns and meet your unique goals can be essential when looking for a counseling provider.
Psychologists and therapists across the American psychological landscape often have similar roles but different education levels. In addition to an undergraduate degree, psychologists often have advanced degrees, such as a Ph.D. or PsyD, whereas therapists may have master's degrees. In addition, psychologists don't all work as therapists; many study human behavior as researchers, professors and authors. Knowing the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and other types of mental health professionals available to you can help you find the most effective patient care for any mental health disorders or concerns.
What is a psychologist?
According to the American Psychological Association, a psychologist has an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. in psychology or a PsyD in clinical psychology. A PsyD is generally regarded as a type of Ph.D. issued to clinical psychologists who work directly with clients, helping them with their mental health conditions through talk therapy, psychological testing, assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders and illnesses.
Additionally, per the American Psychological Association, clinical psychologists may treat mental illnesses by providing individual therapy, marriage and family therapy or group therapy. Ph.D. psychologists can work as clinicians, researchers or in various settings, such as universities, corporations and industries; doing non-clinical work involving an in-depth understanding of human behavior. This understanding generally ranges from why people act the way they do to behavioral struggles to severe mental health conditions. However, they can also work as counseling psychologists to offer therapy if they choose to.
It can be important to note that not all people with an advanced psychology degreee (such as psychologists) are medical doctors; despite having a doctorate. An individual must have an MD title to be a doctor who can offer formal diagnosis and prescription-related support. While therapists cannot prescribe medication, they can offer treatment suggestions within the realm of talk therapy.
Doctors in psychology and the mental health profession generally include psychiatrists, neuropsychologists and general medical doctors with a specialty in psychiatry or psychology. If you seek prescription medications, a psychiatrist is the only professional able to write the prescription or offer medication management in most states.
However, psychologists can provide testing and diagnoses of mental illnesses such as:
- Major depressive disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Panic disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Anxiety disorder
- Substance use* disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Many clients have a complete mental healthcare team consisting of a psychiatrist, psychologist and sometimes case management (such as social work support from licensed clinical social workers on your case). To know what type of professional you seek, you can meet with a therapist for an initial consultation. Many providers offer referrals if their services don't fit your goals.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.
What is a therapist?
A therapist has a master's degree in counseling, psychology or social work. Therapists provide master’s degree-level mental and emotional support to their clients through individual, couples, group and family therapy sessions. In addition, therapists often specialize in a specific area, such as substance use disorders, family dynamics, stress management, or grief counseling. A therapist's work frequently involves talking to their client, exploring areas of concern in the client's emotional life behaviors and mental processes, seeking resolution by helping the person learn new coping and communication skills.
Psychologists, therapists, and counselors often have different state licenses, and different types of professional counselors types and experts may also work closely with each other. A licensed clinical social worker could also work as a counselor or therapist in some cases and can provide essential links to and expertise on local community services or groups. For example, they may connect clients to food resources, emergency shelters, and government benefit programs. "Therapist" is often used as an umbrella term for all counselors, clinical social workers and clinical psychologists.
Is a counselor the same as a therapist?
Counselors and therapists often have similarities; some use these job titles interchangeably. However, there can be differences. Licensure, certification and requirements based on degree programs can be a few differences between a counselor and a therapist. Counselors and therapists both help people with life challenges. However, counselors may offer more short-term, focused or general therapy methods, whereas therapists may provide long-term treatment, diagnosis, and testing as well.
In addition, some counselors work in school settings as school psychologists or to provide career counseling. Some may provide family counseling services, where they may work on problem-solving with their clients and refer clients to therapists or psychologists for more in-depth mental health treatment. For instance, someone seeking mental health counselors for marriage or family-related issues may be referred to a licensed marriage and family therapist to work on underlying mental health conditions.
Main differences between therapists, psychologists, and counselors
Professional counselors and therapists often offer the same support and treatment for mental illness and life challenges. However, if you're looking for support with a specific area, like planning for marriage, school or a career, you might benefit from seeing a counselor. Therapists might often focus more on mental illness and mental health than specific life advice. In addition, in some states, therapists have different credentials than counselors and social workers.
Psychologists may have additional education leading to a Ph.D. that may allow them to work with those with a severe mental illness or mental disorder. In addition, psychologists may administer psychological tests and diagnose mental illnesses. Psychiatrists have medical degrees and can prescribe medications, although some may also engage in psychotherapy with clients. Some psychologists and psychiatrists only work in hospitals, mental health clinics or inpatient facilities to support those treated there.
Professional relationship between mental health professional and client
Relationships between a mental health professional and a client are often called therapeutic alliances. A sense of personal rapport can be vital to a successful therapeutic alliance.
Finding a therapist, counselor or clinical psychologist you trust that makes you feel comfortable can be crucial. Look for a provider offering a safe space, a listening ear and practical advice. The success of counseling can also depend on the client's willingness to engage with the mental health professional, so be open to trying the suggestions your therapist offers.
Licensed mental health professionals can provide clinical services using therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reintegration therapy (EMDR) and many others. In addition, licensed psychologists generally have the additional training to conduct psychological testing, assess and diagnose mental illnesses.
How to find a provider
There are many ways to find a counselor, psychologist or therapist. In recent years, online mental health platforms have also become a popular method for clients to get support. Numerous studies have found that online therapy can be as effective as seeing a professional in person.
The benefits of online therapy can go beyond its effectiveness. It can also be convenient and cost-effective for those with a demanding lifestyle. Using an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can communicate with your therapist via video, phone or live chat messaging. In addition, you may find more flexibility regarding appointment scheduling online than seeing someone in person at their office.
Takeaway
One difference between licensed therapists and psychologists is their educational degrees. Therapists generally have master's degrees and clinical training that can prepare them to work with clients to overcome the challenges of a mental health disorder, a difficult life transition or an unwanted behavior like substance use.
On the other hand, psychologists often have Ph.Ds. or PsyD degrees that can train them to administer psychological tests to diagnose mental illnesses and support clients with complex psychological conditions. You may connect with licensed mental health professionals in person or online.What is the difference between therapists and psychologists?
The most crucial difference between a psychologist and a therapist is the amount of education required for the two types of certification. A licensed therapist may have a master’s degree, while a psychologist must possess a doctoral degree in psychology — either a Psy.D. or a Ph.D.
The term “therapist” also indicates someone who has received a substantial amount of training in treating mental health concerns. This will generally include clinical work supervised by a more experienced therapist or psychologist. This may not apply to all psychologists, many of whom focus on research rather than clinical practice.
Therapists often pursue a high degree of specialization. For example, family therapists may work only with clients facing challenges impacting the entire family unit, such as adolescent conduct problems or emotional problems related to marital discord. Addiction therapists focus on substance use difficulties. Eating disorder therapists, as the name implies, will generally focus on conditions such as anorexia and bulimia.
The types of therapy provided by therapists and psychologists are based on evidence-based clinical standards. They tend to provide systematized and well-researched treatment, as opposed to more loosely regulated types of personal counseling such as life coaching.
What is the difference between therapy and counseling psychology?
While therapy often addresses mental health disorders, counseling psychology focuses more on helping mentally stable clients find effective ways to manage the many challenges and stresses in their lives. Clinical psychologists may address some of the same needs as life coaches, but they can often provide a greater depth of psychological insight due to their extensive education on the workings of the human mind.
According to the American Psychological Association, counseling psychologists typically adopt a strengths-based approach that teaches clients to recognize, develop, and effectively apply their talents. They may assist with things like:
- Personal development
- Stress management
- Emotional regulation
- Systemic challenges such as workplace discrimination
- Healing from crises and trauma
- Developing personal and group skills
- Effective learning strategies
In contrast to counseling psychology, therapy is often more focused on relieving the symptoms of a specific mental health condition. This isn’t always the case, but it’s a common distinction between the two types of treatment.
What do therapists do?
Therapists can provide a wide variety of services, but all of them involve supporting clients in building better mental, emotional, and behavioral health. They can’t prescribe medication, but they can practice evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy (PDT). Therapists also generally offer a safe space and a sympathetic ear for clients to discuss their challenges.
Among the specific services therapists can provide are:
- Mental health diagnosis
- Psychotherapy
- Psychoeducation
- Addiction counseling
- Marriage and relationship therapy
Some of these services may require the help of a specific type of practitioner. For instance, it’s often best to seek out marriage and family therapists if you’re looking for help repairing a strained relationship.
When should you see a psychologist?
The decision about when to seek help from a therapist or psychologist is up to you, and there’s no firm rule that can identify the right time. However, it’s often a good idea to pursue treatment when you notice that your mental and/or behavioral difficulties are getting in the way of the things that matter to you, such as maintaining healthy relationships, pursuing a successful career, performing everyday tasks, or simply feeling happy and secure in your daily life.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, certain kinds of behavioral changes can serve as indicators that you may be in need of psychological help, including:
- Rapid or intense shifts in mood
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Withdrawing from social relationships
- Excessive emotional or sensory sensitivity
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Strong feelings of nervousness or worry
- A sense of disconnection from your surroundings
- Major difficulties functioning in work, school, or social environments
- Loss of motivation or desire to engage in activities
- Memory troubles
- Persistent changes in appetite
Do I need counseling or therapy?
There’s not always a clear distinction between counseling and therapy. Many kinds of rigorous, evidence-based mental health care may be referred to by either term. However, counseling may indicate a more targeted approach that works to overcome a specific obstacle or develop skills in a particular area of life. Counseling might be the best choice if you feel you need help with something specific and limited, such as overcoming anxiety about public speaking or learning to better manage your anger.
Therapy may be a better option if you’re experiencing difficulties in multiple aspects of life and you’re not sure what’s behind them. A therapist may also be better able to assist you with a serious mental illness such as major depressive disorder.
In practice, it’s often best to consider the licensure, expertise, and specialization of a treatment provider. This information generally matters more than whether someone calls themselves a counselor or a therapist. No matter who you consult, they’ll likely work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan incorporating techniques from both psychotherapy and counseling.
Can a psychologist be a therapist too?
Yes, many psychologists are licensed to provide therapy and refer to themselves as therapists. Although some accredited psychologists stick to research, others (often known as clinical psychologists) focus primarily on treating patients. In practice, there’s a great deal of overlap between psychologists and therapists.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Medical training is what separates psychiatrists and psychologists. Psychologists must complete a graduate school education in psychology, while psychiatrists must attend medical school and receive an M.D. or D.O. Though both types of professionals may work in the mental health field and provide psychotherapy, only psychiatrists (or other medical doctors) can prescribe medications for mental illness.
Who can diagnose mental illness?
Many different types of professionally licensed mental health treatment providers are qualified to diagnose mental illnesses. These practitioners include:
- Psychiatrists (M.D or D.O.)
- Clinical psychologists (Psy.D or Ph.D.)
- Licensed professional counselors (LPC)
- Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC)
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed clinical alcohol and drug abuse counselors (LCADAC)
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
The above list is not exhaustive, and there may be other types of professional licensure in your state or region that allow for mental health diagnosis.
Is there no difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
The central difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor. This means that in addition to being able to provide mental health assessments and psychotherapy, they can evaluate physiological health, order medical tests and procedures, and prescribe and manage medication.
However, psychologists and psychiatrists may perform some of the same services, and they often work together closely. Both types of professionals can be found in settings ranging from exclusive practices to affordable community clinics, and everything in between. Some psychiatrists and psychologists also provide online therapy for people experiencing mental health symptoms.
Should you see a psychologist or psychiatrist first?
The decision to seek treatment from a psychologist or a psychiatrist may depend on your specific symptoms and needs. It may be more difficult to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, due to the high demand for their services and the relatively small number of people in the profession. Many people consult with a psychologist first to get help managing their mental health while waiting to consult with a psychiatrist.
If you prefer to try to manage your symptoms with therapy alone, rather than seeking medication, you may want to look for a psychologist first. That said, research suggests that some kinds of serious mental illnesses might be more effectively treated with pharmacological methods or with a combination of treatment and therapy. People with these conditions might want to try to speak with a psychiatrist as soon as possible.
Examples include:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Major depressive disorder
Other complaints, such as anxiety disorders, relationship difficulties, anger management challenges, etc. may be best managed with psychotherapy. For these kinds of challenges, consulting a psychologist may be a better approach.
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