What is the difference between a therapist and a psychologist?

We often get asked, what is the difference between a therapist and a psychologist and who should I seek for treatment?  The mental health umbrella is large and encompasses many types of professionals.  In this article, we will explore the different types of mental health professionals.

Therapists and counselors are terms that are often interchangeable.  So what is the difference between a therapist and a psychologist?  Clinically, there is not much difference between a therapist and a psychologist.  Both will offer talk therapy, both can diagnose, and both can complete assessments as well as teach.  In order to practice in their own practice, psychologists must have a Ph.D. while therapists must have a Masters degree.  

You might be asking, what is the difference between these clinicians and a psychiatrist?  A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who completed medical school and can prescribe medication, therapists and psychologists cannot.  Psychiatrist nurse practitioners and general medical doctors can also prescribe medication. 

What training is required to become a mental health clinician?  The answer is, it varies!  Below are the different mental health clinicians under the mental health umbrella and the paths that they typically follow.

1. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC):  These clinicians are often found in private practice, agencies, schools, and hospital settings.  Program length varies, but LPCs must have a master's degree in mental health counseling.  There is an accreditation body that oversees these programs CACREP - as of this post there are 870 programs that have received accreditation.  Once LPCs earn their graduate degree, they must complete a clinical internship under a supervisor for 3000 clinical hours (direct client contact and non-direct client contact).  This process usually takes between 2-3 years to complete.  LPCs can diagnose, treat, assess, and complete research.
2. Psychologists:  These clinicians typically complete a Ph.D. in psychology.  Once the degree is completed, psychologists typically have a year of post graduate work and complete clinical rotations.  Psychologists can practice in all roles similar to LPCs including private practice, schools, and agencies.  While in school, psychologists typically choose whether to focus on the clinical side or the research side.
3. Social Workers (LCSW): LCSWs complete their graduate work in social work which emphasizes policy work and case management in addition to clinical work.  LCSWs must also complete a masters degree and clinical supervision before becoming fully licensed.  LCSWs tend to work in community agencies, although some work in private practice as well.
4. Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT):  MFTs are typically LPCs who have specialized in marriage and family therapy.  LPCs can also treat marriage and family, but MFTs have chosen to specialize in this population exclusively.  
5. Psychiatrists:  These clinicians are doctors and follow the medical model.  The complete all of the training that a medical doctor completes and they specialize in psychiatry.  They might do therapy in their practice, but many work with other licensed clinicians (like LPCs) to provide therapy to the client while they manage medications.