Knowing where to start when searching for mental health care can be dizzying. Of course, you want to find a nearby practice with a provider you feel connected to, but what kind of provider should you be looking for? Whether you are new to mental health care, getting back into it, or searching for a new provider, knowing the difference between practitioners makes all the difference in the world. The titles of therapist, psychiatrist, and psychologist are often (mistakenly) used interchangeably, but the differences between these care providers are crucial. Learning the difference between therapists and psychologists can help you make a more informed decision about who you see and why.

Mental Health Care Definitions

Before diving into the similarities and differences between therapists and psychologists, some context is needed to understand who these providers are and what they do. Both therapists and psychologists are considered mental health care providers. Mental health care, as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), is “a category of health care service and delivery provided by several fields involved in psychological assessment and intervention (psychology, psychiatry, neurology, social work, etc.). This type of care includes but is not limited to psychological screening and testing, psychotherapy and family therapy, and neuropsychological rehabilitation.”

Therapists and psychologists are health care professionals trained to provide this type of service.

The APA defines a therapist as “an individual who has been trained in and practices one or more types of therapy to treat mental or physical disorders or diseases.”

The APA defines a psychologist as “an individual who is professionally trained in one or more branches or subfields of psychology.”

In other words, a psychologist is a therapist, but a therapist is not necessarily a psychologist. The word therapist is a broad umbrella term used to describe psychotherapy professionals.

Similarities Between Therapists and Psychologists

Therapists and psychologists practice psychotherapy. The APA defines psychotherapy as “any psychological service provided by a trained professional that primarily uses forms of communication and interaction to assess, diagnose, and treat dysfunctional emotional reactions, ways of thinking, and behavior patterns.” There are many diverse psychotherapy practices and methods, but they all focus on improving mental health and well-being through engagement between the therapist and the patient.

Therapy isn’t just for people managing a disorder or illness. Psychotherapy can improve your overall feelings of wellness, how you interact with the world around you, and how you manage your relationships and emotions. Therapists and psychologists alike will tailor a specific therapeutic approach based on the patient's needs.

Both therapists and psychologists have advanced education and training to perform mental health care services. In most states, a combination of a Master’s degree in counseling or a related field and clinical experience under supervision is required. A candidate must have undergone a specified amount of training and practice hours with direct patient contact for the academic credit required to pass a Master’s program. After graduation, practitioners must then take and pass a nationally recognized examination. Examples of these exams include the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

The number of training hours required for licensure and the specific exams a practitioner must pass vary from state to state. Some states even allow broad exceptions to these requisites. However, once these criteria are met, practitioners start clinical work in an internship or supervised residency program.

In sum, both therapists and psychologists have:

• A Master’s degree in counseling or a related field (like a Master’s of Arts in Psychology)
• A record of supervised clinical experience working directly with patients
• Passed a nationally recognized certification exam
  
  

What is a Therapist?

Therapists are mental health care professionals who work directly with patients, groups, and organizations to treat mental health conditions and disorders. A licensed therapist must have at least a Master’s degree, clinical experience, and certification from passing a nationally recognized exam. Therapists work with patients to improve mental wellness, identify and adjust certain behaviors or thought patterns, and cope with stress. A therapist also has the training and experience to diagnose and treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Therapists generally use a form of talk therapy. Talk therapy is used interchangeably with psychotherapy to characterize a therapeutic practice conducted through personal communication and interaction with a patient. This practice is tailored to meet the needs of the individual.

You might see a therapist for:

• Substance abuse disorders
  
• Marriage and family therapy
  
• Behavioral issues or disorders
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Eating disorders
  
• Self-esteem issues
  
• Relationship difficulties
  
• General counseling
  
  

Therapists offer a holistic approach to mental wellness, employing various means and practices to help patients identify, understand, and address their concerns.

What is a Psychologist?

Psychologists are scientist-practitioners who study, research, and assess human behaviors and thought patterns. The primary difference between psychologists and therapists lies in education. A psychologist must have a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Psychology (Psy.D.). A therapist only needs a Master’s degree. In addition, psychologists may not study or work with individual patients at all. Some psychologists work entirely in research, while others perform structured studies of groups in a workplace or educational setting. That’s not to say that psychologists don’t practice therapy. Many psychologists offer psychotherapy services in private practice or in a hospital setting.

A psychologist performing therapy may use various assessments and tests to diagnose mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders. They will work with patients to understand the “why” of their concerns, offering clinically-based treatment recommendations. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication but can provide referrals to specialists who can. Psychologists can also undergo advanced education and clinical training to specialize in a particular area of psychology.

Subspecialties of psychology include:

• Forensic Psychology
  
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology
  
• Sports Psychology
  
• Educational Psychology
  
• Developmental Psychology
  
• Social Psychology
  
• Cognitive Psychology
  
• Positive Psychology
  
• Geriatric Psychology
  
• Pediatric Psychology
  
• Family Psychology
  
• Community Psychology
  
• Military Psychology
  
• Psychopharmacology
  
• Emotional Intelligence Research
  
  

This is not an exhaustive list of all sub-fields related to psychology. Psychologists may also teach, write, or work in the legal system.

Finding the Right Provider For You

With these key differences in mind, a few factors can help determine whether to see a therapist or psychologist.

It’s essential to consider the provider’s credentials rather than their title. Before booking an appointment with a mental health provider, research their credentials and clinical experience. Do they have experience working with individuals like you? Do they primarily work with individuals or groups? How long have they had their own practice? Questions like these will help you prioritize what you’re looking for from a therapist rather than solely deciding based on education level.

Similarly, it helps to ask yourself what you are seeking therapy for. If you are looking for general counseling, relationship or marriage therapy, or to identify negative thought patterns you experience, looking for a therapist is a great place to start. If you are managing symptoms of a mental illness, consider booking an appointment with a psychologist with the advanced training necessary to diagnose and treat disorders.

Finally, it helps to anticipate costs when looking for mental health care. The provider's reputation, the clinic's location, and the specifics of your insurance coverage will all dictate how much your psychotherapy appointment will cost. If you are insured, check with your insurance provider about whether or not a specific provider is in your network and how much coverage you can get for a therapy appointment. If you are uninsured, call the clinic beforehand to ask how much your visit will cost out-of-pocket. Many mental health care providers offer a sliding fee that can help make the visit more affordable.

Mental health care can be crucial to mental and physical well-being. Psychotherapy can help you identify, assess, and address behavioral patterns, thought processes, and interpersonal dynamics you manage daily. These visits can also help patients with mental disorders manage their symptoms and work with a licensed professional on a treatment plan. Ready to talk to a provider today? Book an online mental health consult on Sesame to discuss your concerns and ask your questions.

Sources:

• American Counseling Association (n.d.). What is a professional counselor license? Counseling.org. https://www.counseling.org
  
• National Institute of Mental Health (n.d.). Psychotherapies. NIMH.org. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  
• Psychology.org (2023, July 19). Counseling, Therapy, and Psychology: What's the Difference? https://www.psychology.org
  

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