Is a counselor different then a therapist? What is a psychotherapist? What is psychoanalysis? Therapist, therapy, psychology, psychologist, psychiatry, psychiatrist, social worker, clinical social worker….the list continues and can become confusing. You might even come across life coach or advisor and find additional confusion. You can find PhD, PsyD, LCSW, LSW, CMFT, LPC, CSAC, CAC and the list continues.

The terms therapy and counseling at times can be inter-changeable. The formal difference between the varying credentials for therapists and counselors lie within the training and degrees received. Let’s review a few of the many credentials you may come across when seeking the help of a therapist or counselor:

An LPC, Licenesed Professional Counselor receives a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. The Master of Science Program in Counseling Psychology is designed to help students become professional counselors whose areas of expertise lie in community, private, and/or school settings.

Once a counselor is finished with schooling, which generally includes an internship, a graduate will take an exam and can become licensed as a LAC – Licensed Associate Counselor. Following additional training and supervised hours worked as a counselor (different states have different requirements), an LAC can become an LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor. At this point, a counselor can work in private practice.

A therapist/counselor might instead have credentials as a doctor of psychology (PsyD) or as a doctor of philosophy (PhD). The difference in the two tracks for a therapist of counselor is academic concentration. A therapist with a PsyD focuses academic work on the application of therapy. A psychologist in a PhD program focuses on the application of research as it pertains to psychology.

A psychiatrist is able to prescribe medication. You will not find a therapist or counselor with an LPC, PsyD, PhD or LCSW that can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists will provide therapeutic intervention (talk therapy/psychotherapy) and some will only assess for medication need and prescribe when necessary. This is why it may be important to utilize the services of both a psychiatrist and a therapist/counselor.

A therapist or counselor whom is a social worker receives a graduate degree in social work and has chosen a track to follow – different tracks include clinical social work, community and agency social work, school social work, etc. Some schools offer a combination of the above. Following graduate school, (which often includes two years of interning) a social worker sits for the LSW exam. If this exam is completed successfully, a social worker (MSW) receives the credentials of LSW – licensed social worker. This therapist can then perform therapy under the supervision of an LCSW within an agency or medical setting. If an LSW wishes to provide therapy in private practice (in the state of NJ – all states are different) he/she must complete 1,920 face-face therapy hours that is supervised by an LCSW (with clients) and then can sit for the LCSW exam. If these requirements are completed successfully, taking 2-3 years to finish, a social worker becomes able to practice talk/psychotherapy in a private practice setting. A social worker may sometimes refer to therapy as counseling as mentioned above.

The track for an addictions counselor may be either a CSAC - Certified Substance Abuse Counselor or a CAC - Certified Addictions Counselor, among others. States differ on requirements and practice experience for different certifications and licensing.

Generally, a therapist or counselor will work as a psychotherapist with clients. Examples of different types of psychotherapy include behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, biofeedback, interactive group therapy (e.g., family therapy), relaxation training, psychodynamic therapy, etc. There are many types of intervention strategies for different mental health issues that counselors and therapists might employ. Licensed therapists and counselors are required to maintain and develop their level of knowledge with continuing education credits. Counselors and therapists have different requirements depending on their type of license. It is throughout multiple avenues of additional training that therapists and counselors receive their expertise in the use of different therapeutic interventions. Further, additional training in psychoanalysis is required to become a certified in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and this can be as lengthy as 4 years of intensive training.

Also included in the field are pastoral counselors, school social workers, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, art therapists, play therapists and more. What is most important when seeking help is to ask your therapist or counselor questions about schooling, certifications, licensure, practice theories and frameworks, specialties and additional trainings. Ask how a particular therapist/counselor has been trained to meet the needs that you are presenting with. The credentials and certifications are only confusing when we forget to ask questions. Be specific with your questions so that you can be sure.