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: They hold a Ph.D. degree in psychology or a related field such as counseling psychology, clinical psychology, organizational psychology, or 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; and 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.

LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors): They hold a master's 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 clients independently, and can perform intelligence and personality testing.

MSWs (Master of Social Work): They hold a master's 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, and can perform intelligence and personality testing.

LMSWs (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists): They hold a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field, must be licensed by a state licensing agency, and provide therapy services directed toward the marriage and family.