Types of Mental Health Professionals

Psychiatrists---Hold M.D. degrees; are able to prescribe medications which are designed to address specific mental and emotional problems; many times will not engage in psychotherapy but will see clients strictly for medication purposes; may perform various types of testing to determine a client’s needs.

Psychologists—Hold a Ph.D. degree in psychology or a related field such as counseling psychology, clinical psychology, organizational psychology, education, as examples; engage in treating clients with various types of psychotherapy; refer clients for medication if necessary; must be licensed by a state licensing agency; may perform various types of testing such as intelligence testing, personality testing, and projective testing to help identify the type of help that a client needs. Some psychologists specialize in analyzing learning disabilities and helping to develop plans for a client’s educational functioning.

LPC’s (Licensed Professional Counselors)—Hold a masters degree in counseling or a related field; must be licensed by a state licensing agency; provide psychotherapy of various kinds; ordinarily are not licensed to treat severely clinical clientes independently; can perform intelligence and personality testing.

MSW’s (Masters of Social Work)—Hold a masters degree in social work; must be licensed by a state licensing agency; provide psychotherapy of various kinds; ordinarily are not licensed to treat severely clinical clients independently; can perform intelligence and personality testing.

LMSW’s (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists)—Hold a masters degree in marriage and family therapy or related field; must be licensed by a state licensing agency; provide therapy services directed toward the marriage and family.

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