Congrats, you’re thinking about starting individual therapy! Therapy can be a life-changing experience in the best way possible. But, it can also feel really overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out where to start. 

After all, it can be a bit confusing with so many different types of therapists like psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, and more! But, don’t worry, understanding the differences between these types of therapists is actually easier than it seems. So, let’s jump in and break it down. 

*Just a quick note- therapists are licensed by government boards in their state or country, and the laws can differ based on the state or country they’re licensed in. For the sake of this article, I’m referring to therapists licensed in California. If you’re located outside of California, I recommend talking with a licensed therapist near you to get the most accurate information.

What are the Different Types of Therapists?

Let’s start by going over the different types of therapists you may encounter. There are:

• Psychiatrists (MD)

• Psychologists (PsyD or PhD)

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)

• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), and 

• Psychotherapists

Despite what you may have heard, all of these professionals are therapists and can do therapy! So, let’s dive into what things they have in common and what things make these different types of therapists unique.

Psychiatrists (MD)

Psychiatrists are the outlier here, as they are medical doctors who specialize in the mental health field. Most psychiatrists only prescribe medication nowadays, but some psychiatrists both prescribe medication and do therapy with clients. If you’re considering meeting with a psychiatrist, make sure to clarify with them whether they will be meeting with you to prescribe medication, do therapy, or both, so you know what to expect. Because most psychiatrists don’t practice therapy, most clients that meet with a psychiatrist also meet with a therapist for therapy.

Psychologists (PsyD or PhD)

Psychologists are mental health professionals that have a doctorate in Psychology. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists are not medical doctors or able to prescribe medication. 

Psychologists can practice therapy, but not all psychologists are therapists. Some psychologists are researchers and professors, and some specialize in testing and evaluations. While some psychologists specialize in providing therapy, many do not practice therapy at all.

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

LPCCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs are all therapists who have received at minimum a Master’s degree in the mental health counseling field and completed thousands of hours of post-graduate supervised experience providing therapy. Despite their different titles, all three of these types of therapists can provide mental health and relationship therapy to individuals (children, teens, and adults), couples, families, and groups of clients.

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapist is a general term in California and does not reflect a level of education, experience, or competency providing therapy. All the types of therapists listed above can refer to themselves as psychotherapists, as they are all able to do psychotherapy. 

(Side note: psychotherapy is individual therapy with a trained therapist). If you are considering meeting with someone who refers to themselves as a psychotherapist in California, make sure to verify that they also hold one of the other active licenses I described above since psychotherapist is not a regulated title in California.

Wait, Don’t Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) Only Work With Couples and Families?

No! This is confusing for obvious reasons, but Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists regularly work one-on-one with clients. In fact, many Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists specialize in individual therapy and treating mental health issues, and don’t work with couples at all (I’m one of them!).

The same goes for LCSWs. While their title is “Social Worker,” many LCSWs do not practice social work, but instead focus on providing individual, couples, or family therapy. The most important thing to know about LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs is that all three types of professionals are trained to provide both therapy and mental health treatment. I encourage you to ask potential therapists about their specific training that is relevant to what you are seeking support with.

So, What Type of Therapist Should I See? What’s Best For Me?

Great question! The truth is, the best therapist for you is probably not one that you select solely based on the type of license they have. 

When you are looking for a therapist, it’s important to confirm that they have a valid license. This lets you know that they have completed the educational and training requirements necessary to perform competent therapy services. This also lets you know that they have agreed to follow the ethical requirements of their profession in order to protect their clients’ wellbeing.

Aside from making sure a potential therapist has an active license, I encourage you to look for someone who is experienced in providing therapy for the issues you are looking for help with. You can do this with a Google search for, “licensed anxiety [or any other issue] therapists near me.”

Then, check out the therapist’s website, read their blog, and look at their social media platforms to get a sense of what they specialize in. And, definitely take advantage of a free phone consultation where you can ask them more specific questions about how they can be of help to you. It’s important that you like your therapist, and talking with them can help you get a sense of how it may feel to meet with them. Share with them what you are hoping to get out of therapy, and ask them how they can help you work towards those goals. 

The best therapist for you likely has much less to do with the type of license they have, and much more to do with their training, experience, and personality. Understanding the different types of therapists can be confusing (I know- I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides individual therapy for millennials and young adults!). But, when you learn the basics, it becomes easier to find a therapist who will be a great fit for you.

Are you looking for a San Diego therapist or online therapy in California? Set up a free 15-minute phone consultation by clicking here and let’s talk to see if we might be a good match.