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What Kind of Health Professional Do I Need?

March 26, 2016 by Matt Pavlik

To make the best selection, aside from whether or not you want to see someone who can prescribe medicine, you are best to select someone who you can relate to and has the most experience in the area of your concern, for the fee you can afford. The following descriptions should help you narrow your choices.

Doctors and Psychiatrists are similar

Doctor – as a generalist, a doctor focuses more on your physical health, but might prescribe some mental health medicines to treat mild to moderate depression or anxiety. They do not typically provide therapy.

Psychiatrist – a psychiatrist is a full doctor specializing in the area of mental health. They can treat all mental health concerns with medicine. Most do not provide therapy.

Psychologists, Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers are similar

Psychologist – a psychologist has a doctoral degree and focuses on mental and emotional health, with special emphasis on testing. They cannot prescribe medicine.

Clinical Counselor (LPC, LPCC) – a counselor has a masters degree and focuses on mental and emotional health for individuals, couples, and families, with special emphasis on practical application.

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT, IMFT) – a therapist has a masters degree and focuses on marriage and family therapy, and may not be able to provide a clinical diagnosis. They typically use a systems approach to therapy.

Social Worker (LSW, LISW) – a social worker has either a bachelors or a masters degree and focuses their efforts even more broadly, by providing community case management as much as individualized therapy.

Filed Under: FAQs Tagged With: counselor, social-worker, therapist

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