What do all those letters after a therapist’s name mean?

You’ve taken the first step in looking for a therapist and maybe you’ve looked online, in Westlake, Ohio, and the greater Cleveland area and there seem to be a bunch that seem nice enough or like they could be a good fit but they all have different credentials or degrees. You wonder what is the difference?

In the FAQ below I will explain the mains differences between psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors:

Q: What is a psychologist?

A: A psychologist specializes in the study of emotions and behavior. They often have a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and can provide therapy, conduct psychological testing, conduct research, and/or teach. They are trained in psychotherapy and can diagnose mental health conditions.

Q: What is a psychiatrist?

A: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) specializing in mental health. They typically diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications. Psychiatrists often treat more complex mental health conditions that require medication management. Some psychiatrists also provide therapy either during their medication appointments or a limited amount of psychiatrists specialize in therapy. 

Q: What is a social worker?

A: Social workers support people in managing social, economic, and mental health challenges. In Ohio, Licensed Independent Social Workers (LISW) have a master’s degree in social work (MSW) and can provide therapy and case management services. Depending on their training they can provide assessments and diagnose mental health conditions. In Ohio, Licensed Social Workers (LSW) have completed the first level of licensure for social workers in the state. LSWs provide support services, such as psychosocial interventions and and connecting clients with community resources. They can provide therapy if they are supervised by a LISW. 

*the name of a social workers license varies from state to state

Q: What is a counselor?

A: Counselors provide guidance and therapy to individuals, couples, and groups dealing with a wide range of issues including stress, relationship problems, and mental health conditions. They typically hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field. In Ohio, there are licensed professional counselors (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). LPC’s can provide counseling but cannot diagnose and must practice under the supervision of a LPCC or similarly licensed professional.

*the name of a counselors license varies from state to state

Q: Can all these professionals prescribe medication?

A: Only psychiatrists, who are medical doctors, can prescribe medication. In some states, psychologists with specialized training can also prescribe medications, but this is less common and Ohio psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

Q: Do all these professionals offer therapy?

A: Yes, all four professionals can offer therapy, but their approaches and specializations may differ.

Q: How do their educational paths differ?

A: - Psychologists: Typically require a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology, plus internships and postdoctoral training.

Psychiatrists: Complete a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.), followed by a residency in psychiatry.

Licensed Independent Social Workers: Require a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, plus supervised clinical experience for licensure.

Licensed Professional Counselors: Need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, plus supervised clinical experience for licensure.

Q: Who should I see for mental health concerns?

A: It depends on your needs:

Typically for complex mental health issues or medication needs a psychiatrist is recommended. For therapy its most important that the provider has training and experience in the issue you want to work on and if you find that they are a good fit. For psychological testing you typically want to look for a psychologist. 

Feel free to reach out to me at (216) 245-2421 if you have any questions or if I can be of any help. I offer free 15 minute consults in Westlake, OH. Even if I’m not the right fit I am happy to help you find someone who is.