Differences between mental health providers

Searching for mental health professionals might be overwhelming with the availability of different providers. Finding an expert that meets your needs is important, so how do you find the right fit? Their titles and distinctions vary as there are some key differences between clinicians.

"Counselor and therapist are general terms and could apply to several different professions and degrees," said Dr. Karen Lawson, psychologist and assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor. "A psychologist, psychiatrist or licensed social worker can be called a therapist or counselor in a generic way, even though each of those have very specialized training."

A psychiatrist and psychologist receive specific training to achieve these titles. A psychiatrist completes their undergraduate degree, then four years of medical school to earn a medical degree. After medical school, a psychiatrist completes four to five years of a psychiatry residency, and in many cases, this also includes a fellowship in a specialized area. A psychologist also graduates with an undergraduate degree, followed by a seven- to eight-year doctoral program, which requires a one-year internship and a dissertation to graduate with a Ph.D. Mental health professionals in other areas (such as a clinical social worker, family counselor or licensed professional counselor) typically complete a two- to three-year master's program and a another year of supervision before they can work in the field.

All mental health providers receive extensive training in psychiatric mental health diagnoses and conditions. The main difference among each professional boils down to breadth of training and length of experience. Each type of profession - psychiatrist, psychologist or master's level counselor - requires passing a licensing exam, and they must always have a current license. Psychiatrists typically must pass examinations each year of their training, as well as a further one upon completing their residency to become board certified in psychiatry. All clinicians must renew their licenses either on a one-year or two-year basis, which includes various hours of continuing education. Psychologists in Texas like Lawson renew their licenses every two years.

If you are on the quest for a therapist, Lawson recommends looking for a specialist who has training in the specific area you want to treat. She says to look at their credentials, length of training, access to patients and the specialization of the clinic in relation to your condition or concerns.

"A licensed master's degree provider who has worked with couples for 25 years might in fact have more experience in that area than an M.D. who has just completed their residency. Someone who has had a lengthy education, rigorous training under good supervision and a lot of experience would likely be more desirable for that person seeking services. However, as stated, the clinician's degree might not be the only factor to consider," she said. "Specialty area and length of experience with certain type of mental health diagnosis are also very important factors to consider. You want someone who is competent, recommended and known for the specific condition."

Many mental health conditions benefit from both therapy and medication. A general therapist, whether it is a psychologist or counselor, might refer a patient to a psychiatrist for a medication consultation while continuing to treat that patient in therapy. An M.D. is typically the only degree that can prescribe medication. A small subset of psychologists, under narrow circumstances, pursue additional training to get prescription privileges within the mental health field. This entails rigorous training specific to medications that help with mental health diagnoses.

"If you are seeking care from a mental health professional, do your homework. Find background information, ask others, read about them, find out their training and determine that they are trained to address your symptoms or concerns," Lawson said.

By Homa Warren

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