The Professionals

The mental health world is populated with professions that are many and varied. Though specific licenses are great, good therapy is more about finding a therapist who listens well and works with you. But because most of us aren't quite clear on the differences between psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and coaches, here's a rough field guide.

Psychologist
Psychologists have one of three different doctoral degrees: a Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy), Ed.D. (doctor of education), or a Psy.D. (doctor of psychology). Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology emphasize theory and research methods and prepare students for either academic work or careers as practitioners. The Psy.D., which was created in the late 1960's to address a shortage of practitioners, emphasizes training in therapy and counseling. More than half of new clinicians have Psy.D. degrees. Psychologists with any of those degrees can practice therapy but are required to complete several years of supervised practice before becoming independently licensed. (American Psychological Association)

Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of specialized mental health training. Psychiatrists can treat the full range of emotional and mental disorders, and are licensed to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists sometimes use psychotropic medication in conjunction with psychotherapy to treat psychiatric disorders. (American Psychiatric Association)

Social Worker
Social workers commonly hold a master of social work degree (M.S.W.) and have completed two years of supervised practice in order to obtain their clinical licenses. While many work in private practice, social workers often work in schools, community clinics, and government agencies. (National Association of Social Workers)

Counselor
Counselors have a master's level degree in substance abuse treatment, counseling, or psychology, and generally complete two years of supervised practice before obtaining their licenses. Like social workers, they work in private practice, as well as a variety of other settings, including schools and hospitals. They often treat people in crisis who are dealing with problems such as alcoholism, addiction (D.A.C.'s), or eating disorders, usually for short periods of time. Some specialize in a certain area, such as marriage, family, and child counseling (M.F.C.C.). (American Counseling Association)

Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists (M.F.T.s) receive master's or doctoral degrees specializing in family and interpersonal dynamics. They treat individuals in the context of family relationships, addressing issues from anger and resentment to intimacy and communication skills. Treatment with a marriage and family therapist is typically brief (twenty sessions or less) and solution focused. Since 1970, the number of states licensing marriage and family therapists has grown and, accordingly, the number of practitioners has increased substantially. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

Psychoanalyst
Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy based on the theories of Freud and his successors, wherein the patient explores his or her patterns of thinking and behavior (often originating in various childhood developmental phases) through free-association and identification with the analysis. A certified psychoanalyst earns a postgraduate degree in psychology or psychiatry and then spends an additional eight to ten years of training in psychoanalysis, which includes undergoing analysis themselves. Psychoanalysts treat patients intensively; treatment lasts for five to ten years on average, with at least three or four sessions per week. (American Psychoanalytic Association)

For profiles of licensed professionals, see Psychology Today's online Therapy Directory.

The Credentials

Credentials, licenses, and degrees abound. Here are a few you may come across when seeking the right therapy professional.

A.P.R.N., A.P.N., A.R.N.P.P., or M.H.N.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (A.P.R.N.) have a master's degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. These nurses are eligible for licensure as therapists. A.P.R.N.'s provide a range of primary mental health care services to individuals, families, groups, and communities, and function as psychotherapists, educators, consultants, advanced case managers, and administrators. Many states require certification by a national body prior to practicing. Once licensed, A.P.R.N.'s have the authority to prescribe medications. (American Nursing Association)

A.T.R.
Registered Art Therapist. (American Art Therapy Association {AATA}, Art Therapy Credentials Board {ATCB})

B.C.D.
Board Certified Diplomate. This certificate is granted to social workers and other practitioners who have demonstrated a high level of competency and experience, and/or who have made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of their specialties.

D.Min.
Doctor of ministry.

Ed.D.
Doctorate of education. Professionals with Ed.D.s practice therapy just as those with Ph.D.s. Many of these professionals are trained in child development and education, sometimes with a focus on educational planning and assessment. Some work as school superintendents, principals, or directors of nonprofit organizations. The M.Ed. is a master's level degree in education, and it typically takes two years to earn. Another two years is usually necessary to receive an Ed.D. (American Psychological Association)

L.P.C. (or L.M.H.C., D.A.C., M.F.C.C.)
Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Mental Health Counselor. A licensing qualification is granted to those with a requisite graduate academic degree, additional clinical work experience, and the completion of a state-certified licensing examination. (American Counseling Association)

Life Coach
Life coaching is a popular new profession that anyone can declare as his or her own. Life coaches don't treat mental illness (although many psychologists have crossed over into coaching); instead they help healthy people realize their goals in work, family, and life in general. Executive coaches, for example, may give a C.E.O. a plan to become a better manager. There are some associations establishing professional guidelines for life coaches. (Association of Coach Training Organizations)

M.A. (or M.S.)
Master of Arts or Master of Science is an academic degree, which can be earned in counseling, psychology, or related fields. Typically, a thesis is required for an M.A. and not for an M.S. It usually takes two years of study after receiving a bachelor's degree, either a B.A. or a B.S., to earn this degree. Many counselors and social workers hold a master's degree, and many Ph.D. psychologists earn a master's en route to earning their doctorate degree. (American Psychological Association)

M.D.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, (M.D.s), who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of clinical rotations in various specialties of mental health training. Psychiatrists can treat the full range of emotional and mental disorders, and are licensed to prescribe medication. These professionals may treat psychiatric disorders with psychotherapy in conjunction with psychotropic medications. (American Psychiatric Association)

M.F.T. (Also the M.F.C.C., L.M.F.T.)
Marriage and Family Therapist or Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor. Here, the focus is on marriage and family. These professionals work with individuals in the context of family relationships. The therapist or counselor works with communication and interpersonal skills. The L.M.F.T., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has a requisite graduate academic degree (a two to three-year master's degree, or a three to five-year doctoral degree), clinical work experience, and the completion of a state-certified licensing exam. Currently, most states offer this type of license. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

M.H.S.P.
Mental Health Service Provider

M.S.W. (Also the L.C.S.W., L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., L.C.S., L.I.C.S.W., C.S.W.)
Master of Social Work. A social worker works with an individual in the context of the wider community. He or she helps those dealing with domestic violence, child abuse, drug abuse, or foster-care issues, among many others. The country's nearly 200,000 social workers practice therapy on their own or in schools, clinics, or government agencies. The master's degree typically takes anywhere from two to four years to earn. The licensed clinical social worker has a requisite graduate academic degree, supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced practitioner holds a license that allows him or her to receive health care insurance reimbursements. (National Association of Social Workers)

Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy. This is an academic degree that can be earned in four to seven years and often includes a master's thesis (and the conferring of a master's degree) as well as a pre-doctoral internship. Many psychologists, therapists, counselors, and coaches hold a doctorate of philosophy. A Ph.D. in psychology in particular prepares psychologists in theory as well as statistics and data gathering. This is good preparation for work in academic settings. Psychologists with a Ph.D. are also fully trained in the assessment and treatment of all behavioral conditions, from anxiety and depression to anger and resentment. (American Psychological Association)

Psy.D.
Doctor of Psychology. Psychologists with a Psy.D. degree focus on therapy and counseling rather than research. The degree was developed in the late '60s because of the need for practitioners. Some areas of practice include couples counseling, family systems, and other therapies. In the last 30 years, the Psy.D. has become increasingly popular. About twenty-five percent of the doctoral degrees awarded in psychology are Psy.D.s. (American Psychological Association)

Others
And finally, some therapists don't have any formal training. These providers are not subject to state regulation, and are not covered by health insurance or included in Psychology Today's Therapy Directory. Be wary, but don't immediately discount these mavericks. Plenty of able professionals are among them.