People seeking a counselor can be easily overwhelmed by all of the abbreviations and credentials on a counselor’s business card. All do essentially the same thing; each comes with a different type of training and a different set of underlying assumptions about how best to provide counseling.
Let’s start with the title.
A psychologist is some one who has earned a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) and is licensed as a psychologist. In my state, Oklahoma, one can only use the title of “Psychologist” if he/she is licensed; merely having a doctorate in psychology isn’t enough. Psychologists typically have the most training in psychological testing and assessment.
A Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) must also be licensed by the appropriate board but may not have a doctorate. A L.P.C. typically has a Masters degree: it could be an M.A., M.S., or M.Ed. (Master of Education). L.P.C.’s typically have less training in testing but are able to diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (L.M.F.T.) will have a Masters degree of some sort (M.A., M.S., etc.). L.M.F.T.’s can do the same kinds of things as the other licensed mental health professionals: their training prepares them to view disorders from the perspective of the whole family, not merely the individual.
A Social Worker will have earned either a M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) or a M.S.S.W. (Master of Science in Social Work). Social workers usually have to choose a clinical track or social/community services track.
A Psychiatrist is a physician – either a M.D. or a D.O. – with training in psychotherapy with an emphasis on the management of psychotropic medications.
Some professional counselors, marriage/family therapists, and social workers may have earned a doctorate, but it is not necessary for them in order to practice independently.
Additionally, physician assistants may see patients if they are under the supervision of a psychiatrist; clinical nurse specialists may be able to see patients independently in some states; Oklahoma recently began to license alcohol/drug abuse counselors (L.A.D.C.’s).
That doesn’t even touch the ministers and chaplains who have special training in counseling.
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