When looking for a therapist it can be difficult to understand what all those letters after the provider’s name mean.  There are several types of mental health professionals all of whom have different trainings, scopes of practice, and areas they work in.  There is a lot of overlap and understanding what the credentials are and the training the providers have had can help you when deciding what provider is the best fit for your needs. 

Psychologists: Hold a doctoral degree in psychology (either a Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and can diagnose and treat mental disorders through talk therapy and various therapeutic techniques.  Psychologists also engage in research, assessment, and program development.

Clinical Social Workers: Hold a master's degree in social work and provide therapy and support to individuals, families, and communities.  Social Workers can be found in many different settings and are trained in a wide array of interventions.

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs): Hold a master's degree in counseling and provide individual, couple, and family therapy.

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs): Hold a master's degree in marriage and family therapy and are trained to work with couples and families to resolve conflicts and improve relationships. They may work in private practices or community health centers.

Mental Health Counselors: Hold a master's degree in mental health counseling and provide therapy and support to individuals, families, and communities.

Addiction Counselors: Hold specific training as required by their state. Many states require addiction counselors to be certified by a recognized organization such as the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) or the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).

Psychiatrists: They are medical doctors (MD) who specialize in the treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication in addition to providing therapy.

Psychiatric Nurses: They hold a nursing degree and provide medication management, therapy, and support to individuals with mental illness.

It is important to note that the qualifications and scope of practice of mental health professionals vary by jurisdiction and type of certification. It is always recommended to check the credentials and experience of a mental health professional before starting therapy.  You typically can check a provider’s credentials through their state licensing board.