Psychologist — Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Psychologists have doctoral-level training in psychology. Their training includes psychotherapy, psychological assessment and diagnosis, research and scientific methods.
A practical guide
Choosing a Therapist
Finding a therapist can be difficult. Here are some things to consider.
Training and experience
Start with what they are trained to do.
Start with the therapist's credentials and experience. What type of professional training do they have? How long have they been practicing? If you are seeking help for a particular concern, do they have specialized training and experience treating it?
Understanding Mental Health Credentials
Different pathways emphasize different areas of training.
Mental health professionals enter the field through different educational pathways, with different areas of emphasis in their training.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed professional counselors typically complete a master's degree in counseling or a related field. Their graduate training focuses primarily on counseling and psychotherapy.
Licensed Independent Social Worker — Clinical Practice (LISW-CP)
Clinical social workers complete a master's degree in social work. Their training includes psychotherapy while also emphasizing the broader family, social, community, and environmental systems that can affect a person's well-being.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Marriage and family therapists typically complete a master's degree with particular emphasis on relationships, couples, families, and understanding problems within interpersonal and family systems.
Psychiatrist — Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Psychiatrists are physicians who complete medical school followed by residency training in psychiatry. Their medical training allows them to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy, although many primarily provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
The human part
Consider Their Professional Style
Credentials and experience are important, but they cannot tell you what it will actually be like to talk with someone.
Therapists vary in how they relate to patients. Some are more conversational and informal; others are more reserved or structured. Neither is necessarily better. Consider which style fits you.
Perspectives worth considering
“Recovery can take place only within the context of relationships; it cannot occur in isolation.”
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See if the fit feels right