What's the difference between a therapist, counselor, psychologist, and social worker?

Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being. However, it can be challenging to navigate the different types of mental health professionals available to support your mental health needs. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of mental health professionals and their roles, to help you make an informed decision when seeking mental health support.

It can be confusing when looking for a mental health professional with all the different names acronyms and titles. Mental health professionals go through different schooling and certifications to best fit particular clients' needs.

1. Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. They can prescribe medication, conduct psychotherapy, and may also use other forms of treatment such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). If you have a severe mental illness, a psychiatrist is the best professional to consult.

2. Psychologist: Psychologists are trained in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders. They are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication. They use psychotherapy as the primary mode of treatment. There are several types of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy.

3. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): LPCs are trained in counseling and therapy, and they can diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They may use a range of therapeutic techniques, including talk therapy, behavioral therapy, and play therapy. They cannot prescribe medication.

4. Social Worker: Social workers are trained to provide support to individuals and communities in need. They can diagnose and treat mental health disorders and provide counseling services. They can also offer case management services to help individuals navigate social services and connect them to community resources.

5. Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT): MFTs are trained to help individuals, couples, and families work through relationship and communication issues. They can diagnose and treat mental health disorders within the context of the family system.

6. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: A psychiatric nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced training in mental health. They can prescribe medication, conduct psychotherapy, and provide counseling services.

In conclusion, there are various types of mental health professionals who can help you address your mental health concerns. The key is to find the right professional who can meet your specific needs. Consider factors such as their qualifications, areas of expertise, and the type of treatment they offer when choosing a mental health professional. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and it is essential to prioritize your mental health.

​ARNP Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. Nurse practitioners sometimes work in the mental health field, and often prescribe medications.	CDP Chemical Dependency Professional. Must have at least an AA degree, and the state requires specific training for this title	​Counselor A basic or generic term for anyone who "counsels." No specific education or license is required to use this title.
LMFT A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist is educated to diagnose mental disorders and work with individuals, couples, and families and must have a master's or doctoral degree and supervised training—an LMFT Associate has completed their academic degree and internship hours but is still working on their 2,000 training hours.	LCSW, LICSW, LASW Licensed Social Worker. Social workers sometimes work in the mental health field. They must have at least a master's degree. There are three levels of licensing for social workers in Washington State.	Life Coach A generic term for anyone who gives advice on life's difficulties or changes. No specific education or license or ethical protocol is required to use this title. We do not recommend using a life coach for your mental health needs. ​
Master's (M.A. or M.S.) A master's degree is designated by the initials M.A. (Master of Arts) or M.S. (Master of Science). Specialized master's degrees include a Master of Arts in Counseling (M.A.C.), a Master's in Education (M.Ed.), and a Master's in Social Work (M.S.W.). A person may also have a master's degree, but may not have met the licensing requirements to be a L.M.F.T., L.M.H.C., or L.I.C.S.W.	Psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) A doctor of psychology who is licensed by the state to perform psychological assessment and conduct therapy. All psychologists have a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), however, sometimes a person may have earned the academic degree, but may not be a "licensed psychologist" because they have not met the licensing requirements of the state.	Psychiatrist (M.D.) A medical doctor who specializes in mental health, and can prescribe medications and/or conduct therapy. Must be a licensed physician. Typically will be board certified in psychiatry, although any physician who specializes in mental health might legally be able to call themselves a "psychiatrist."
​Registered Counselor A title that was discontinued by Washington State some years ago. The title simply meant that the counselor had registered with the state, but had no specialized training.	School Psychologist School psychologists administer some academic and cognitive assessments, and conduct therapy. However, they are not licensed psychologists and are not required to have a doctoral degree. They must have at least a master's degree and training in assessment.	Therapist Basically a generic term for anyone who conducts therapy. No specialized education or license is required to use this title, or other forms of "therapist," such as "hypno-therapist," "equine-therapist," etc.