LPC's, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, LCSW, LMFT… Alphabet soup, who are we, and what is the difference?
Whether you are planning to see a mental health professional, psychologist. or psychiatrist, or another type of licensed helper you should start with a phone call to the professional.
Ask about the professional’s approach to dealing with mental issues and how they generally work with clients.
Ask about whether or not they accept insurance and how payments are handled.
You might describe your reason for wanting to make an appointment.
Ask if they are experienced in dealing with such issues.
If you are comfortable talking with them, the next step is to make an appointment.
Grab a snack folks, this is going to be a long one & this is the spark notes version!
Briefly what the Alphabet soup stands for and the degrees required:
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor (Masters or PhD in counseling, integrating multiple approaches to therapy based on the client's individual needs).
Psychologist: Doctoral Degree in Psychology (does not prescribe medication)
Psychiatrist: Doctoral Degree focused on medication (majority DO NOT focus on counseling).
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Highest level of licensure in the social work field)
LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Masters focused on helping couples and family members manage problems within their relationships).
** LMFT, LPC, Psychologist, and LCSW are not able to prescribe medication. A Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner(PMHNP) is also able to prescribe medication.
We are each considered helpers in our respective fields but our training, focus, and degrees may differ on how we support our clients, and here’s how:
At a glance, LPCs, Psychologists, LCSW, and LMFT:
are state-licensed,
serve clients directly,
are reimbursable by most insurance, and
seek to improve quality of life and health outcomes for their clients.
S U M M A R Y
LPC: Licensed clinicians with advanced degrees (Masters or Ph.D.). LPCs usually focus on counseling from a specific context or specialty (i.e., mental health, multiculturally sensitive, holistic care).
Psychologist: A psychologist has a doctoral degree (Ph.D., PsyD, or EdD) in psychology, which is the study of the mind and behaviors. Psychologists receive training in evaluating and treating mental and emotional disorders.
LCSW: There are three different kinds of social work licenses in New Jersey: Certified Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
LMFT: Focus more specifically on the relational and interpersonal dynamics within families, marriages, and couples.
B R E A K DOWN
Here are a few key differences between these professions.
For example, mental health counselors (e.g., LPC) have a master’s in mental health counseling and obtain an additional three years' experience working with a qualified mental health professional after graduate school before they are able to become fully licensed. LPCs receive an extensive 60 credit masters training, have to pass a national counselor examination, and develop unique approaches to provide care. Additionally, LPC’s can also obtain Ph.D.’s in counseling, but it is not required to practice.
A Psychologist earns a Doctoral degree (Ph.D., PsyD, or EdD). A Psychologist might analyze clients from a scientific (e.g., assessments or testing) perspective and then treat the symptoms accordingly with measurable objectives and goals.
An LMFT is a more specialized field, LMFTs can focus on a wide range of topics such as premarital, relationship, separation, childhood, and divorce counseling.
A CSW will have a Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work degree, for a CSW level of licensure there is no exam requirement.
An MSW must have a Masters's degree or higher and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s level examination.
Then, there is the highest level in the social work field which is LCSW, must have a Master of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work degree. LCSW has 12 extra credits in their training (e.g., models of psychotherapy or clinical practice; clinical supervision and consultation; human behavior and the social environment; diagnosis and assessment; or interventions with special populations) which goes beyond the MSW or CSW requirements.
More information:
https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/blog/what-these-mental-health-titles-mean-psychologist-psychiatrist-lmft-lpc-lcsw
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/guide-to-psychiatry-and-counseling