These brief explanations are meant to help distinguish between some of the common types of therapists that offer similar therapy services, but who have various types of training, educational degrees, licenses and specialties.
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Clinical social workers have completed a master’s program (typically two years) in social work and receive a master’s degree (MSW). If providing psychotherapy, a social worker is licensed as a Licensed Counselor of Social Work (LCSW), and is required to perform a few thousand hours of clinical experience as a prerequisite to getting a license. The primary training and method of intervention of professional social workers includes such services as case management (linking clients with agencies and programs that can help with anything from food and shelter to financial, emotional or medical needs), counseling and psychotherapy, social welfare policy, analysis, and practice development, community organizing, community development, advocacy, and research.
Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT or LMFT)
Marriage & family therapists have typically completed a master’s program in psychology (though this is not a requirement in some states). Although the title includes the words “marriage” and “family,” MFTs provide therapy to individuals as well. Training for MFTs includes 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience as a requirement of being eligible for taking the licensing exam. MFT training focuses specifically on helping individuals, couples, and families through therapy and counseling in private practice, mental health agency, or hospital settings, and includes a comprehensive education in human psychology.
Psychologist (Licensed Clinical Psychologist)
Psychologists are mental health professionals who have completed a doctoral program in psychology and hold a doctorate degree (Ph.D., Psy.D.). Doctoral education in psychology typically takes four to six years. Clinical psychologists are required to complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience before becoming eligible to take the licensing exam for psychologists. Training as a clinical psychologist includes the theory and practice of psychotherapy, diagnosis and assessment of mental disorders (including the administration of psychological tests, which only psychologists are licensed to perform), and research in mental health. The Psy.D. degree represents a psychologist who has completed a more clinically focused doctoral program (diagnosing and treating patients with psychotherapy), whereas a Ph.D. degree typically includes a greater focus on research (although both degree qualify a psychologist to practice psychotherapy if licensed).
Psychiatrist (MD)
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD) who have gone on to specialize in mental health and psychopharmacology. This means that psychiatrists have completed a full medical education equivalent to any other MD as well as further specialty training in psychology and psychiatric medications. Psychiatrists are the only mental health providers that are able to prescribe medications. While historically psychiatrists have offered psychotherapy, similar to the above professions, the field of psychiatry has increasingly focused on the prescription of psychiatric medications.