Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Therapist, Clinical Social Worker—we can explain.

by Rachel Linder

Okay, so you decide it’s finally time to meet with a professional. That’s a huge step—and something to be extremely proud of. There are different options when it comes to seeking help from a mental health professional, so it’s important that you’re choosing someone who’ll be right for YOU. Look for someone who specializes in your type of mental health condition, has availability so you don’t need to wait to be seen, and most importantly, someone you feel comfortable with. If you’re getting a little overwhelmed by who psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and clinical social workers really are and the difference among them, we’re here to help.

Psychologist:

The one who focuses on mental health issues and management of those issues.

When it comes to their education, psychologists can have a graduate school degree or a doctoral degree, MA, PsyD, EdD or PhD. The areas of specialty that a psychologist has can often vary, so it’s crucial to do your research and ensure that the psychologist you’re selecting is someone that focuses on your age group, whether it’s child, adolescent or adult, as well as your particular challenges (depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, etc.). In certain states, psychologists are able to prescribe medication, though this is usually not the case. Mostly, psychologists use their educational training to assess, diagnose and work with individuals struggling with mental health issues with the goal of ultimately helping them to develop coping mechanisms.

Psychiatrist:

The one who can prescribe medication to help with mental health issues.

Psychiatrists have a unique educational background from all other mental health professionals, as they are graduates of medical school with a MD or DO. This educational background gives them the ability to not only diagnose mental health conditions, but also prescribe and monitor medication such as antidepressants in the hopes of beginning to treat mental health challenges. A psychiatrist is often a good choice for someone suffering from more severe mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or severe depression. Though they can do talk therapy, psychiatrists often approach a patient by analyzing the symptoms and then prescribing and monitoring medication.

Clinical Social Worker:

The one who takes a holistic approach to therapy.

Utilizing a “person-in-environment” approach, clinical social workers are able to assess, diagnose and treat mental health issues through psychotherapy. Not only do these therapists look to the individual for strategies in treating their mental health challenges, but they also look to their environment and those who surround them. Clinical social workers have graduate degrees, Masters of Social Work (MSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), however they are not able to administer psychological testing or prescribe medication.

Therapist:

The one who is known for talk therapy.

Therapist is a broad term—one that, according to Merriam-Webster, simply means “a health-care professional trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery.” The term encompasses all of the above, as all mental health professionals—psychologists, psychiatrists, and clinical social workers—have the credentials to be therapists. Therapists are mostly known for regularly speaking with patients and addressing their issues through discussion. Not only can therapists include the three most common mental health professionals listed above, but also marriage and family therapists or licensed and professional clinical counselors.