Therapist Vs. Psychologist: Understanding The Difference
When it comes to finding professional help, there can be a misconception between therapists and psychologists. How do you know when talk therapy might be best? What is the difference between those who practice therapy and psychologists who specialize in different areas?
Knowing the difference between, say, a marriage and family therapist or social worker and someone practicing behavioral psychology or counseling psychology can make a huge difference. And when it comes to psychology, clinical psychology and behavioral psychology aren’t the only types.
Before proceeding and finding the right kind of help for your mental health needs, it is essential to understand the differences between a therapist and a psychologist.
What is a psychologist?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), a psychologist is a licensed mental health professional who holds an advanced degree in psychology. That advanced degree can be in general psychology, counseling psychology, positive psychology, or any other psychology degree that the school offers.
Obtaining a general psychology degree can be a good start towards the path of becoming a clinical psychologist. Like clinical psychology and positive psychology, a licensed clinical psychologist works to assist patients by identifying psychological, behavioral, or emotional issues that may be indicative of underlying mental health disorders. Clinical psychologists also help develop treatment plans and then implement them to help improve the lives of those patients.
Clinical psychology helps to monitor the progress of those patients as well. This helps them in their development and progress through those mental health disorders. Being a psychologist is a social position of sorts.
Psychologists and counselors can work at an independent practice, or psychologists, psychiatrists, and other psychiatric specialists work through hospitals. For those with potential mental illnesses or other mental health concerns, seeking out a psychologist may be the proper avenue to go down. Psychologists also tend to work hand in hand with psychiatrists, which is a whole different thing that will be explored another time.
What is a therapist?
The American Psychological Association (APA) describes psychotherapists (therapists) with some similarity to psychologists. When we think of the term therapist, it sounds entirely different from, say, school psychologists. Like their psychologist counterparts, therapists are also required to have advanced education. A therapist will often have a master’s degree, Ph.D., or certificates in substance abuse, clinical psychology, family therapy, counseling, or clinical social work. And while the differences between a therapist and psychologist may not be night and day, there are subtle divergences.
For instance, if you are trying to find a therapist, cognitive therapy can differ from marriage and family therapy. Marriage and family therapists may have more expertise than, say, a family therapist. When trying to find a therapist, it is important to know the differences to find the type of therapist you want.
Another example: let’s say you are trying to find a therapist specializing in marriage and family therapy. Will a family therapist include that knowledge of marriage therapy, or do they only specialize in families rather than couples or marriages? That’s important to know when you are trying to find a therapist.
Are there more apparent differences?
The licensed professionals at Regain can help provide clarification. More in-depth explanations may help provide a little more light on the subject and help you find a therapist or psychologist to meet your needs.
A psychologist is what is known as a social scientist. They are trained to study the mental processes and behaviors of human beings. A psychologist can work in several different clinical or research settings. If psychologists plan to open their own independent practice or offer patient care (counseling, clinical, and school psychologists), they will need advanced degrees and/or licensing.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology emphasize research methods and theory. They also prepare students for careers as practitioners or academic work such as teaching.
The Ph.D. emphasizes training in counseling and therapy. Psychologists who have either one of these degrees can then practice in therapy, but they cannot become licensed without years of supervised practice first. While the Ph.D. has more emphasis on research and statistics, the Psy.D. degree is specific for students who want to work primarily as clinical psychologists.
So, what does a psychologist do? Well, they are mental health professionals how are licensed and trained to diagnose a mental problem or disorder. From there, they can determine the best possible care for the patient. Often, they will work with a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication should it be determined that medication is necessary. Some psychologists do research, which contributes to the profession for both clinical and academic reasons.
Therapists, meanwhile, are a bit broader in terms of their description. A therapist is often licensed and trained to provide several different treatments and provide rehabilitation for their patients. They may treat mental disorders with modalities like psychoanalytic, clinical social work, marriage counseling, substance use therapy, trauma-based therapy, career coaching, and many other specialties. However, contrary to psychologists, therapists cannot legally provide any diagnoses.
The primary goal is often to assist the patients in making decisions and finding clarity in their feelings. This is done to help resolve issues that they may be having in their life. That is why therapists can also provide guidance and support, guiding the patients towards effective decision-making while providing structure and support.
When it comes to choosing a therapist, there are a few things to keep in mind. Their licensing, education and credentials as a mental health professional should be the essential things to look at. It can be difficult to trust and confide in a stranger; their credentials can help to ease that uncertainty.
What education requirements are there to become a therapist or psychologist?
This, of course, depends on the area of study. For psychologists, it requires five to six years of school. They must graduate with a doctorate degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D., complete one year of post-doctoral work, and have clinical rotations even while in school.
Regulations for a psychology degree vary based on the state but generally require at least a year of supervised practice before becoming fully licensed. Psychologists work in roles that are like counselors in school. They may perform testing, research, teaching, or provide therapy.
Marriage and family therapists can have a similar schooling experience to licensed psychologists, the main difference being that their area of study focuses on family and marriage therapy. While psychologists often need to have a Ph.D. or Psy.D, therapists can obtain this degree but aren’t typically required to obtain a degree higher than a Masters. It tends to take at least two to three years after schooling has been completed for a marriage and family therapist to become a fully licensed practitioner, as they must first intern, complete supervised clinical hours, gain experience, and obtain licensing in addition to their degree.
A counselor is another type of therapist. The difference here is that licensed professional mental health counselors go to school with an exclusive focus on being a therapist and practice the theory, or mix thereof, they believe will help their patients the most. There are, of course, programs with different focuses, but there is a board that oversees the certification programs. This board also mandates the amount of class focus, hours, and experience that a course receives and audits the programs regularly to guarantee quality.
Once a mental health counselor gets through their master’s level classes (which takes two to three years), it takes another 2-4 years for them to finish their strictly supervised clinical hours before they can become fully licensed.
Professional counselors also have a huge range of specializations. Some can become teachers with a Ph.D.; others perform testing and research similar to psychologists.
Takeaway
Depending on your area of need, there can be distinct advantages to going with a therapist or a psychologist. But it is also important to know just how similar they are in nature and their area of study. In any event, both are in practice intending to help improve your life, understand your thoughts and feelings better, and address them in a much healthier manner. If you’d like to be matched with a licensed therapist or psychologist, reach out to Regain whenever you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Are a therapist and a psychologist the same thing?
They are not the same thing, though people tend to use the titles interchangeably. A psychologist is a social scientist who studies human behavior and mental processes. A psychologist is trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders. Psychologists work closely with psychiatrists to provide people with holistic mental health care. A psychologist can either work as a researcher or clinician or as both. On the other hand, a "therapist" is a broader umbrella term for different types of mental health professionals trained and licensed to offer various treatments and rehabilitation for their patients. Therapists can be social workers, marriage counselors, life coaches, college counselors, and psychoanalysts, among other specialties. A research paper shows that a therapist's work is to help people develop coping skills, clarify their feelings and give them the needed support and guidance. However, a therapist cannot prescribe medications. Only psychologists working hand in hand with psychiatrists can prescribe medications. Therapists are required to complete their master's degree before they can be licensed to operate.
Should my child see a therapist or psychologist?
This depends on the kind of mental condition or challenge your child is experiencing. A therapist can help your child learn coping skills to work through challenging situations and manage strong feelings like depression and anxiety. According to an incisive research report, the prevalence of mental disorders in children, especially anxiety disorders and depression, has reached 13.4%. Another study shows that these disorders occur between the ages of 6 and 17 years old. Studies also show that therapy services like cognitive behavioral therapy have been proven to reduce mental disorders among children effectively.
Most therapists work directly with their patients in offices or online, and therapists are more practical in their approach to mental disorders and are focused on problem-solving rather than diagnosing. While psychologists and therapists are both mental health professionals, therapists can figure out better ways for parents to get along better with their children and improve their behavior.
If you observe great personality changes in your child, like preferring to spend most of the day in their room and a lost interest in school activities, homework, or mealtimes, you may consider taking them to a children's therapist. Again, if you notice your child finds it difficult to make or keep friends, it may be a sign that they could benefit from therapy and counseling. If your child's grades fall considerably or they are having trouble paying attention in class, taking them to see a therapist for cognitive therapy is a great idea. While a psychologist or therapist can diagnose your child and help you treat their mental disorders, they can’t prescribe medication. Only psychiatrists can prescribe medications.
Should I see a therapist or psychiatrist first?
Knowing whether to see a therapist or psychiatrist first depends on the kind of issues you are experiencing. For example, you may want to see a licensed family therapist first if you have a relationship or family issues. If you are looking for someone to talk to about your feelings, a psychologist or therapist will easily fit into this situation. If your child is having trouble in school, opting for cognitive therapy might be a solution. If you are looking for coping skills for mental disorders, talking to a psychologist or therapist is a good first step. Also, if you are experiencing depression, which is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States, the first line of action is to seek the help of a licensed therapist. But if you seek relief from the mental health symptoms that are already taking a heavy toll on your daily life, you may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist first. Unlike therapists, psychiatrists can prescribe medications for you when deemed necessary. For example, psychiatrists can prescribe medications such as anti-depressants if you are struggling with depression. A study shows that 50-65% of patients who took antidepressants responded very well.
What are the types of therapy?
There are three most popular types of therapy, which include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT):
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The therapist and client explore the connection between a person's behavior and feelings or thoughts. CBT therapists work with people to identify their unhealthy thought patterns and provide methods to reroute them into more helpful ones. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) indicates that cognitive therapy offers an effective way to treat various disorders like anxiety disorders, depression, and more.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This is when a therapist works closely with you to explore the relationship between your actions and your unconscious mind. This involves examining your relationships, emotions, and thought patterns. Research states that many people continue to get better even after the psychodynamic therapy has ended. Psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are the two predominant techniques in clinical psychology.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT):
This is used to help people experiencing addiction, suicidal thoughts, and/or those with personality disorders. DBT combines individual therapy with a weekly group session focused on mindfulness, emotion regulation, and other skills. Clinical psychology also employs this type of therapy to help patients think, act, and live better.
Do therapists diagnose you?
Most therapists cannot legally diagnose clients. Their main job is to help people develop coping skills through talk therapy and counseling or cognitive therapy. A comprehensive study shows that therapists are masters-level mental health professionals licensed to use therapeutic techniques based on their specific training programs to help people living with mental disorders.
Therapists may have different job titles like counselor, clinician, coach, or something else, depending on the treatment setting. Therapy services have been proven to be effective in facilitating symptom reduction and improved thinking and living. However, clinical psychology specialists and psychiatrists are professionally trained to diagnose and treat various mental disorders.
Is it worth becoming a psychologist?
Becoming a psychologist can be a very rewarding career path, especially for people who have an entrepreneurial spirit. According to a survey, nearly 35 percent of psychologists are self-employed, and many of these people own and run their own therapy services. While being self-employed may not work for everyone, it gives you flexible work schedules and control over your earning potential and how many clients you have.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, psychologists working full-time earn between $50,000 and $90,000 a year especially specialized professionals in clinical psychology. The field of clinical psychology employs most of the workers of any field within psychology. These professionals assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent mental illnesses and disorders.
Studies show that clinical psychology is one of the highest paying fields in psychology. But you must know a career in clinical psychology requires a doctorate in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D). Careers in clinical psychology also require a supervised internship that lasts for about two years and passes state exams. This explains why many people shy away from clinical psychology to look for another area in psychology that's less demanding and strenuous. So, if you are considering a career in clinical psychology, it's very expedient that you are aware of the pros and cons inherent in the field.
Are therapists the same as doctors?
Therapists are not the same as medical doctors. Medical doctors can offer diagnoses and prescribe medications for people, but therapists cannot. A therapist's work is to help people understand their thoughts and feelings, develop coping skills and make changes for a better life. However, therapy and counseling conducted by a therapist can help doctors provide people with holistic mental health care. When therapy and counseling prove abortive, a therapist may refer patients to a psychiatrist to prescribe medications. Being a therapist is a type of practice that entails talking and listening to people, asking them questions, helping them develop positive thoughts and feelings, and solving their problems professionally.
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