When you're ready to seek help from a mental health expert, navigating your care options can be confusing. Should you speak with a clinical psychologist or a master's-educated psychotherapist? What sets a social worker apart from a licensed, experienced professional counselor? Who can help you, exactly?
What Is a Psychotherapist?
There are numerous meanings for the word "therapist." A therapist is a general term for any professional who is trained to provide treatment for people in order to improve some aspect of their physical or mental health, according to Simon Rego, Psy.D., chief of psychology at Montefiore Medical Center and associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. For instance, there are psychotherapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) defines a psychotherapist as a mental health professional who can fall under various headings, including but not limited to:
- Licensed experts including counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
- Those without licenses who may have a master's degree in a relevant field or who are just in recovery from a mental illness and are mentoring others based on their own experiences.
“The term ‘psychotherapist’ can refer to anyone who uses talk therapy in an attempt to treat people for their emotional problems,” says Rego.
What Is a Psychologist?
According to the American Psychological Association, a clinical or counseling psychologist is a mental health specialist who completed graduate school and has a doctorate in clinical psychology or counseling psychology (APA). According to Rego, these degrees—a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.)—are followed by a clinical internship, passing national and state tests, and then state licensure. While they may use the more general term "psychologist" in other professional contexts, such as research or teaching, people who have received a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and undergone clinical rotations are not permitted to practice as clinicians to assess or treat patients.
“It’s important to remember, however, that not all psychologists are experienced therapists,” adds Rego. “Many specialize in areas like research or teaching and may have very little experience treating people.”
Remember that a psychiatrist is someone who has gone to medical school, obtained a doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree, and finished a residency in psychiatry. A clinical or counseling psychologist is another type of professional. They are able to prescribe drugs due to this distinction. Since most psychiatrists are not trained in psychotherapy, they collaborate with clinical psychologists and psychotherapists to create an all-encompassing treatment team that can assist people in achieving their mental health objectives.
What Is the Difference Between a Therapist and a Psychologist?
Psychotherapists can be clinical or counseling psychologists, but not all psychotherapists are psychologists. Ashley C. Kennedy, a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, explains that unlike psychologists and psychiatrists, who must earn a specific doctoral degree, psychotherapists can become licensed as a professional counselor (LPC), licensed social worker (LCSW), or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with a master's degree.
“They can work with individuals, families and couples and are generally focused on the relationships that constitute people’s lives,” says Kennedy. “They work in private practices, social service agencies and hospitals.”
While Kennedy points out that psychologists might also concentrate on research and operate in academic, governmental, or clinical health care contexts, they also frequently employ many of the same techniques as the therapists previously mentioned. “Their expertise is more in-depth in regard to severe mental health disorders, [and] clinical psychologists who develop a specialty in neuropsychological evaluations can also provide diagnostic assessment and testing,” she adds.
Similarities: Therapist vs. Psychologist
- Both can promote emotional and mental health.
- Both can make a mental health diagnosis.
- Both can offer therapies and strategies for overcoming behavioral or mental health issues.
- A state-certified license is required for each.
- In the majority of states, neither may recommend medication to patients or clients.
Differences: Therapist vs. Psychologist
- Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology or counseling psychology were obtained by psychologists during graduate study.
- Not all psychologists have therapy experience; some specialize in teaching or research.
- Therapists can be used to refer to all psychologists, however not all therapists are psychologists.
Should I See a Therapist or Psychologist?
Ask about credentials when seeking for any kind of psychotherapist. As you can see, not all psychotherapists hold the same knowledge in the same disciplines, therefore this information is crucial based on the type of treatment you're seeking. Additionally, the majority do not recommend drugs. Psychiatrists and, in some places, clinical psychologists are often the only healthcare professionals with the authority to counsel on and manage medications because state regulations permit them to do so.
The qualifications of a mental health professional to provide you with safe and effective care, including their educational background, legal licensing, and clinical experience, should be your top priorities when choosing one to work with.
“Both clinical and counseling psychologists and psychotherapists have had the training to help people sort out their lives and move toward the best paths for their futures,” says Kennedy. “Psychotherapists can be supportive in helping people find clarity and more fulfillment in their lives while strengthening their interpersonal skills and their relationships. Clinical and Counseling psychologists are also adept in those areas, but some who choose to specialize further can test, diagnose and treat acute mental illnesses that stretch beyond general life issues as well.”
Cost of Therapists Vs. Psychologists
The cost of a session with a therapist or psychologist depends on a variety of variables, including:
- Where you reside
- No matter if you go to a private practice (which might charge higher fees)
- Regardless of whether you use group therapy sessions, neighborhood clinics, or an internet app (where you'll frequently pay less) to access services,
- Whether your provider has a sliding scale for payments based on your income (most do)
- Whether a medical professional takes your particular insurance
Before choosing a provider, it's always a good idea to acquire a clear understanding of the cost structure because there are no hard and fast rules about how much you should anticipate to pay for mental health treatments.
