There are many different types of mental health providers. Choosing a mental health provider can be confusing because of the many different titles and credentials that practitioners use when advertising their services.
This table was put together to help consumers become educated about the various education and training requirements necessary to obtain various licenses in the mental health field. Members of the public should be able to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a mental health provider whose experience and training best fits their particular needs. While there are caring and competent providers in every field of mental health, significant differences exist in the level of their education and training. Also, some titles are not legally protected, allowing some individuals to practice without any education or training at all. If you believe that someone is practicing mental health without a license, it is a reportable criminal offense.
Sometimes, your insurance will dictate which types of providers you may see within your plan. Be aware that insurance companies may initially refer you to lesser trained professionals who charge lower fees for service. Also, just because a provider is not on your insurance companies panel does not mean that they do not qualify to be a provider for your plan. It may simply mean that the provider did not agree to accept your insurance company's reimbursement rate if it is significantly lower than their fees for service.
Licensed Clinical Psychologists (PsyD/PhD) |
Hold Doctorates in Psychology, have completed the clinical training and experience required for licensure, and have passed both national and state board exams. Provide psychological evaluation, testing, and therapy and, in some states, prescribed medication. |
Psychiatrists (MD/DO) |
Hold Doctorates in Medicine or Osteopathy, have completed the clinical training and experience in Psychiatry required for licensure, and have passed both national and state board exams. Provide psychiatric evaluations and primarily prescribe medications but some may also provide psychotherapy. |
Licensed Psychological Associates (LPA) |
Hold Masters degrees in Psychology, have completed clinical experience required for licensure, have passed a board exam, and practice under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. They provide psychological evaluation, testing, and psychotherapy. |
Licensed Psychological Practitioners (LPP) |
Hold Masters degrees in Psychology and have at least five years of experience under supervision by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and have passed a board exam at a level allowing them to practice independently. They provide psychological evaluation, testing, and psychotherapy. |
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) |
Hold Masters degrees in Nursing, have completed required clinical experience for licensure, have passed a board exam, and practice under the supervision of a Psychiatrist. They primarily prescribe medication but some may also provide counseling. |
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) |
Hold Masters degrees in Counseling, have completed required clinical experience for licensure, and have passed a board exam. They provide counseling. |
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) |
Hold Masters degrees in Social Work, have completed required clinical experience for licensure, and have passed a board exam. They provide counseling. |
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT) |
Hold Masters degrees in Counseling or a related field, have completed required clinical experience for licensure, and have passed a board exam. They provide counseling with an emphasis on relationship and family issues. |
Professional Art Therapists |
Hold Masters degrees in Art Therapy, have completed required clinical experience for licensure, and have passed a board exam. They provide counseling that integrates creative expression. |
Pastoral Counselors |
Ordained Ministers who typically hold Masters Degrees in Divinity and have also completed an approved program of study in Pastoral Counseling. They are licensed to practice counseling independently within the context of their religious denomination of their religious denomination or faith group. Note that not all Ordained Ministers are licensed as Pastoral Counselors, although they may sometimes "counsel" people in their role as minister, pastor, or priest. |
Christian Counselors |
May or may not hold any degree at all and may or may not be licensed by another credential to perform mental health services. Some mental health professionals with other types of licenses choose to refer to themselves as Christian Counselors to reflect the fact that they incorporate the Christian faith into their work. Others are non-degreed, non-licensed individuals who provide spiritual advice (but not mental health treatment). |
School Psychologists |
Hold Masters degrees in School or Educational Psychology and are licensed by both the Board of Psychology and the Board of Education. They are allowed to perform psychological services within the school system but are not allowed to practice clinically outside of the school setting. |
Guidance Counselors |
Are Certified Teachers and hold degrees in education with additional training and education in Guidance Counseling. They are licensed by the Board of Education and perform counseling services within the school system but are not allowed to practice clinically outside of the school setting. |
Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBA) |
May hold a Masters of Doctoral degree in a mental health field combined with BACB certification. They primarily provide Applied Behavior Analysis to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. |
Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselors (CADC) |
Hold a Bachelors degree with special emphasis in alcohol and substance abuse and dependence, have completed the required clinical experience for certification, and have passed a board exam. They focus primarily on treating alcohol and substance use disorders. |
Life Coaches/Psychotherapists/Therapists/Clinicians/etc. |
Beware! These are not legally protected terms and are not associated with any license. Individuals with no education, training, or license may refer to themselves by these titles and appear to provide mental health services. The best way to ensure that you are seeing a Licensed Mental Health Provider is to ask them
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*For the most current and accurate licensure requirements information, you should refer to the the State Board of Examiners for each of the professions.