When you are looking for a therapist, you will quickly see there are many different types of professionals (and acronyms) out there! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, but there are many other counselors as well. The counselor you end up choosing may be based on your needs and what the professional can offer you. Do some of your own research to see what fits you best. Choosing a therapist may depend largely on their degree and specialty.  Although there are many options, what is really most important is having a therapist that fits your needs and who you feel connected to.

Before we get started, I think it is helpful to review some clinical titles to make sure we are on the same page.  The terms psychotherapist, therapist, counselor, mental health professional are interchangeable and synonymous; used by the mental health professionals below. However, other terms like clinical psychologist or licensed clinical social worker are licensed protected terms, meaning that certain education, clinical training hours, and state and national licensing tests were completed.

To get you started, here is some information on the different types of counselors out there.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

A LCSW is licensed by the state to work in mental health service settings to help individuals, families, and couples with their relationships. A LCSW has a graduate degree in social work, has completed over 3,000 hours of clinical internship under the supervision of a licensed professional, and has also passed a state exam to become licensed. LCSWs can practice psychotherapy, and can help you with mental health issues that get in the way of your everyday life. A hallmark of social work is the idea of “person-in-environment” which looks at one’s psychological development in perspective with other life circumstances. An LCSW helps you get to the root of your emotional issues with looking at the context of your intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships in your life. A LCSW has studied things like psychology, social work, human behavior, growth and development across the lifespan, and they also know a lot about research methods. The field of social work has been around since the 19^th century, with a deep history as a profession that has explored the social context for development click here for more information.

 

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

Similar to LCSW’s, MFT’s are licensed by the state, following receiving a graduate degree and obtaining 3,000 hours of clinical supervision. MFT’s work focuses on interpersonal relationships for the purpose of achieving more adequate marriage and family adjustments. MFT’s focus typically on relationships and premarriage counseling. MFT’s focus on interpersonal relationships by exploring the emotional core of where the relationship issues stem. MFT and LCSW work overlap tremendously and can be thought of as similar degrees in many aspects.

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

An LPCC is the newest clinical counseling degree that is recognized by California (though it is a degree that has been around in other states for a while). LPCC have a graduate degree and additional training and licensing tests. An LPCC focuses primarily on an individual’s mental health needs, and additional training is required for LPCC who wish to practice with couples and families. LPCC have training in counseling interventions and therapeutic techniques in the similar way that MFT’s and LCSW’s do.

Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP)

LEP primarily practice in an education setting and focus on academic learning processes. LEPs have a graduate degree, have completed 3 years training under school psychologists, and have taken licensing exams. Often, LEP conduct educational evaluations, focus on academic difficulties and learning barriers, and help to consult with families and educators of helping with behavioral and academic difficulties.

Psychologist:

A psychologist has a Doctorate degree (either a PhD or a PsyD) in psychology. Psychologists are educated to deal with mental illness, behavior problems, and diseases of the brain – they are trained specifically in patterns of human behavior and how the brain works under different emotions and conditions. Following a master’s degree, a psychologist must go to school for between five and seven years to get their Doctorate, which usually includes conducting their own research and taking an internship. A psychologist has been supervised with clinical hours and has passed state and national licensing exams. Typically, psychologists can work with either individuals or couples.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist has been to medical school and is a M.D. or D.O, who then specialized in the field of mental health where they are trained to diagnose and assess mental illness. Psychiatrists are allowed to prescribe medication because they are medical doctors. To become licensed, a psychiatrist has gone to school for formal training, and then completed a residency at a medical practice or hospital. Many psychiatrists are specialized in one particular area, such as children or addiction. Psychiatrists look at things from disease, behavior, personality, and life experience perspectives.

Life Coach

A life coach is not required to have any formal training, and they are not allowed to diagnose or treat mental illness. Instead, a life coach is there to help you figure out what your goals are in life and then stay on track to meet them. A life coach doesn’t necessarily help you deal with your past – they are just there to keep you motivated to achieve goals like education or finding a new job.

The type of counselor you see might really shape your experience. If you think you want to work with an LCSW, give me a call or email me and let’s see if I can help you!

 

Here are two additional articles if you are interested in more information!

The CA board of behavioral sciences

Information on clinical psychology professions