What to Expect From Each Treatment Discipline
If you are new to navigating the mental health system, there may be some confusion about the various kinds of specialists and professionals associated with it. This guideline is designed to help you educate yourself about many areas of expertise represented.
PSYCHIATRY/PSYCHIATRIST
- The Psychiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in the assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
- Qualifications - valid license in the state(s) in which they practice, certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or eligibility for certification
- Typical Clinical Function - Prior to the advent of managed behavioral health care, psychiatrists performed many hours of direct therapy with their patients. Years ago, psychoanalysis was a popular treatment methodology. While there remain doctors who perform analysis, most of the patient base for this service is those who can afford to pay out of pocket because most medical insurances will no longer authorize payment in this area. (However every insurance plan is different, so please check your plan to determine your coverage for psychiatry.)
Today the most common function of psychiatry is medication management, which is the prescribing and monitoring of medications designed to effect chemical therapeutic changes that help a patient cope with a given psychiatric disorder. The psychiatrist often works in coordination with other experts – like a psychologist or a clinical social worker – who sees the patient for ongoing therapy sessions, while the doctor manages medication.
- Treatment Costs - Psychiatry is generally the most expensive of individual or group therapies and many insurance companies will resist paying for this service.
- For more information, visit the website of the American Psychiatric Association
CHILD PSYCHIATRY
- Description – The child psychologist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) with specialized training in the assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adolescent mental and emotional illnesses.
- Qualifications - valid license in the state(s) in which they practice, certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or eligibility for certification
- Typical Clinical Function - medication management, which is the prescribing and monitoring of medications designed to effect chemical therapeutic changes that help a patient cope with a given psychiatric disorder. Often they work in coordination with other experts – like a psychologist or a clinical social worker – who sees the patient for ongoing therapy sessions, while the doctor manages the medication. Some child psychiatrists see children as therapy patients. Such arrangements should be driven by the clinical needs of the child.
- Treatment Costs - Insurance companies are often resistant to authorize this service, so the doctor must be particularly articulate and specific regarding why it is medically necessary. Child Psychiatry, because of its special population and the relative rarity of practitioners, is usually significantly more expensive than similar therapy for adults.
- For more information, visit the website of the American Psychiatric Association.
PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGIST (Clinical and Cognitive)
- Description – the psychologist is a professional clinician with an advanced degree - PhD or master's in psychology - that has completed two or more years of clinical experience, supervised by a licensed psychologist. (Some states do not license non-PhD psychologists.) This discipline is focused ion the assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of adults, and/or children and adolescent mental and emotional illnesses. Unlike psychiatrists, they cannot prescribe medications, however some states are looking into allowing the practice on some limited basis.
- Qualifications - a current license issued by the state(s) in which they practice
- Typical clinical function - While there are many different types of psychologists, (from animal, through industrial, to sports), this article focuses on those who provide direct clinical therapy for a range of mental and emotional disorders. The treatment technique can be individual or group therapy. Psychologist have many different styles of therapy.
- Treatment Costs - For individuals who chose to self pay, psychologists are less expensive than psychiatrists, but generally more expensive than clinical social workers.
- For more information, visit the website of the American Psychological Association.
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
- Description – the clinical social worker is a professional clinician with a master's degree in social work. The clinical social worker is trained in working with people with mental and emotional issues. In many states social workers can gain licensure shortly after graduation, as they are not required to complete a period of professional supervision period. Therefore it is important to get a good sense of the experience of the provider before selecting them as your therapist.
- Qualifications - a current license issued by the state(s) in which they practice. Many will maintain membership in the National Association of Social Workers' Academy of Certified Social Workers.
- Typical clinical function - the clinical social worker is different in function from those in hospitals, case workers, or those working in administrative capacities; they specialize in individual and group therapy. Many are highly skilled in their practices and provide outstanding care.
- Treatment Costs - generally social workers are less expensive than psychologists, but those with thriving practices and excellent reputations can charge similar fees. Most managed insurance companies use social workers as their primary providers of outpatient treatment.
- For more information, visit the website of the National Association of Social Workers.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
- Description – the licensed professional counselor holds an advanced degree – typically a master’s in counseling, psychology, or a related discipline.
- Qualifications - a current license issued by the state(s) in which they practice. In most states the license requires specified hours of supervision and the passing of a written examination.
- Typical clinical function - They are trained to provide therapy in individual and group modes.
- Treatment Costs - usually similar to the costs of social workers
- For more information, visit the website of the National Board of Certified Counselors.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
- Description – the mental health counselor holds a master's in a counseling discipline and has received years of training in therapeutic counseling in mental health and/or substance abuse.
- Qualifications - a current license issued by the state(s) in which they practice.
- Typical clinical function - The National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors states, "The practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling includes, but is not limited to, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, psychoeducational techniques aimed at the prevention of such disorders, consultations to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities, and clinical research into more effective psychotherapeutic treatment modalities."
- Treatment Costs - fees are similar to those for social workers
- For more information, visit the website of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.
CERTIFIED ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELOR
- Description – the certified alcohol and drug counselor is trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse issues.
- Qualifications - national certification requiring a college degree plus specific hours of drug and alcohol education, and thousands of hours of supervision.
- Typical clinical function - individual and group therapy. Often they are asked to perform evaluations to help determine the existence of a substance abuse problem.
- Treatment Costs - usually slightly less than social workers.
- For more information, visit the National Association for Addictions Professionals website.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS
- Description – the marriage and family therapist is trained and experienced in marital and/or family counseling
- Qualifications - a current license issued by the state(s) in which they practice
- Typical clinical function - marital and family therapy
- Treatment Costs - about the same as social workers
- For more information, visit the American Association for Marriage and Family therapy website.
PASTORAL COUNSELOR
- Description – the pastoral counselor is trained to offer counseling from a religious or spiritual perspective.
- Qualifications - certification or licensure in the state in which they practice
- Typical clinical function - most pastoral counselors are Christian-based, however there are many others that are non-sectarian or of other religions. Be aware that many ministers and pastors provide counseling but may not hold the same level of certification or licensure. Insurance will not generally pay for pastoral counseling, but often the service is offered at low rates, or even free to members a church congregation. If you elect to self-pay a lay counselor be aware that they may not have clinical training.
- Treatment Costs - licensed and certified providers will charge about the same as social workers
- For more information, visit the American Association of Pastoral Counselors website.
CREDENTIAL TITLES AND ABBREVIATIONS
You will likely encounter a variety of titles and letters following the names and practices of mental health providers.
This list is not intended to capture every possible title, but is provided as general information.
| ABCN | American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology - Diplomate |
| ABPP | American Board of Professional Psychology - Diplomate |
| ACSW | Academy of Clinical Social Workers |
| ADTR | Academy of Dance Therapists Registered |
| ATR | Registered Art Therapist |
| BCD | Board Certified Diplomate (Social Work) |
| CADC | Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor |
| CCMHC | Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor |
| CGP | Certified Group Psychotherapist |
| CHT | Certified Hypnotherapist |
| CMHC | Certified Mental Health Counselor Washington |
| CSW | Clinical Social Worker - Washington |
| CSWA | Clinical Social Work Associate |
| DDiv | Doctorate of Divinity |
| DNSc | Doctorate of Nursing Science |
| EdD | Doctorate of Education |
| LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker oregon |
| LMFT | Licensed Marriage Family Therapist - oregon |
| LMT | Licensed Massage Therapist - oregon |
| LPA | Licensed Psychologist Associate |
| LPC | Licensed Professional Counselor - oregon |
| MA | Master of Arts Degree |
| MDiv | Master of Divinity Degree |
| MEd | Master of Education Degree |
| MFCC | Marriage Family Child Counselor - California |
| MPS | Master of Pastoral Studies Degree |
| MS | Master of Science Degree |
| MSW | Master of Social Work Degree |
| MSWAC | Master Degree in Social Work Addictions Counseling |
| NACCMHC | Nat'l Assn. of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors |
| NACFT | National Academy of Certified Family Therapists |
| NCC | National Certified Counselor |
| ND | Naturopathic Doctor |
| PAC | Certified Physician's Assistant |
| PhD | Doctorate of Philosophy |
| PMHNP | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner |
| PsyD | Doctorate of Psychology |
| QMHA | Qualified Mental Health Associate |
| QMHP | Qualified Mental Health Professional |
| RN | Registered Nurse |
| RNCS | Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist |
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