Name That Rose: A Guide to Mental Health Professionals

Oncologists, perhaps, are all-too-familiar with Professional Title Confusion, the disorder that leads people to ask about molting at cocktail (cockatiel?) parties when they assume the practitioner is an ornithologist.

Pity the poor anesthesiologists, who, it’s been said, are mistaken not only for anesthetists, but aestheticians as well. Or gynecologists, who must have to explain that they explore neither family trees nor sedimentary rock.

In the world of mental health, Professional Title Confusion is rampant, and getting more confusing with the dawning of the age of life coaches, psychic counselors, and aromatherapists.

The most common mix-up among patients (but few physicians) is the distinction between a psychiatrist (an MD who can prescribe medications) and a psychologist, who provides psychotherapy. Licensed clinical psychologists possess doctoral degrees: either a PhD (generally a degree emphasizing research and clinical practice) or a PsyD (a "practitioner/scholar" degree emphasizing counseling).

Psychologists see patients with serious mental illness as well as individuals, couples, and families facing adjustment challenges. They conduct psychological testing. As in medicine, some specialize (i.e., neuropsychologists, health psychologists, and forensic psychologists). Their postgraduate training generally lasts 6-8 years, including a yearlong internship and almost always, a dissertation.

Educational or school psychologists, on the other hand, may or may not have doctoral degrees, but are licensed to provide specialized care within the school setting, including testing for learning disabilities.

Here’s a quick primer on the other mental health specialists you may encounter in your practice setting (or in the ads of your local independent newspaper.)

LCSW: Licensed clinical social workers, like psychologists, receive training in family dynamics and psychotherapy, but they also have a special expertise in advocacy and identification of community resources for patients. They possess at least a master’s degree (MSW) and have done extensive field work prior to being licensed by their respective states. Some have a doctoral degree (PhD or DSW) and conduct research. In the field of oncology, LCSWs are often core members of the psychosocial team.

MFT: Marriage and Family Therapists are also sometimes called LMFTs (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists) or MFCCs (Marriage, Family, and Child Counselors). They possess master’s degrees in counseling, have done training in the field, and are licensed by their respective states.

Psychiatric Nurse/Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse: These are registered nurses who specialize in psychiatric illness. Advanced practice registered nurses who are PMH APRNs possess master’s or doctorate degrees and have more autonomy, in some cases prescribing medications.

Counselor or psychotherapist: Although they imply legitimacy, these are generic terms that describe what a person does, rather than his or her credentials.

Psychoanalyst: This term describes a person who approaches psychotherapy based on theoretical principles first outlined by Sigmund Freud, generally after receiving highly specialized training in the method. It is not a licensing term, but an approach, and does not indicate whether or not the psychoanalyst is a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional.

Child life specialist: These behavior specialists with training in child development and family dynamics during illness are likely to be found in hospital settings. They generally hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees and may provide support during procedures or work with families in meeting specific targeted goals. They are not licensed at the state level, but many are certified by the Child Life Council, a nonprofit organization.

Art therapist, music therapist, poetry therapist, dance therapist: These alternative therapists may come from any of the fields listed above, or from the artistic disciplines themselves. They do not hold licenses in these areas, but each field of specialty has one or more organizations that outline training standards and certification.

Life coach: This is a person who helps people achieve personal goals. No licensure is required but independent organizations may recommend training or provide certification.

Dr. Freed is a clinical psychologist in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a medical journalist.

Oncologists, perhaps, are all-too-familiar with Professional Title Confusion, the disorder that leads people to ask about molting at cocktail (cockatiel?) parties when they assume the practitioner is an ornithologist.

Pity the poor anesthesiologists, who, it’s been said, are mistaken not only for anesthetists, but aestheticians as well. Or gynecologists, who must have to explain that they explore neither family trees nor sedimentary rock.

In the world of mental health, Professional Title Confusion is rampant, and getting more confusing with the dawning of the age of life coaches, psychic counselors, and aromatherapists.

The most common mix-up among patients (but few physicians) is the distinction between a psychiatrist (an MD who can prescribe medications) and a psychologist, who provides psychotherapy. Licensed clinical psychologists possess doctoral degrees: either a PhD (generally a degree emphasizing research and clinical practice) or a PsyD (a "practitioner/scholar" degree emphasizing counseling).

Psychologists see patients with serious mental illness as well as individuals, couples, and families facing adjustment challenges. They conduct psychological testing. As in medicine, some specialize (i.e., neuropsychologists, health psychologists, and forensic psychologists). Their postgraduate training generally lasts 6-8 years, including a yearlong internship and almost always, a dissertation.

Educational or school psychologists, on the other hand, may or may not have doctoral degrees, but are licensed to provide specialized care within the school setting, including testing for learning disabilities.

Here’s a quick primer on the other mental health specialists you may encounter in your practice setting (or in the ads of your local independent newspaper.)

LCSW: Licensed clinical social workers, like psychologists, receive training in family dynamics and psychotherapy, but they also have a special expertise in advocacy and identification of community resources for patients. They possess at least a master’s degree (MSW) and have done extensive field work prior to being licensed by their respective states. Some have a doctoral degree (PhD or DSW) and conduct research. In the field of oncology, LCSWs are often core members of the psychosocial team.

MFT: Marriage and Family Therapists are also sometimes called LMFTs (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists) or MFCCs (Marriage, Family, and Child Counselors). They possess master’s degrees in counseling, have done training in the field, and are licensed by their respective states.

Psychiatric Nurse/Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse: These are registered nurses who specialize in psychiatric illness. Advanced practice registered nurses who are PMH APRNs possess master’s or doctorate degrees and have more autonomy, in some cases prescribing medications.

Counselor or psychotherapist: Although they imply legitimacy, these are generic terms that describe what a person does, rather than his or her credentials.

Psychoanalyst: This term describes a person who approaches psychotherapy based on theoretical principles first outlined by Sigmund Freud, generally after receiving highly specialized training in the method. It is not a licensing term, but an approach, and does not indicate whether or not the psychoanalyst is a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional.

Child life specialist: These behavior specialists with training in child development and family dynamics during illness are likely to be found in hospital settings. They generally hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees and may provide support during procedures or work with families in meeting specific targeted goals. They are not licensed at the state level, but many are certified by the Child Life Council, a nonprofit organization.

Art therapist, music therapist, poetry therapist, dance therapist: These alternative therapists may come from any of the fields listed above, or from the artistic disciplines themselves. They do not hold licenses in these areas, but each field of specialty has one or more organizations that outline training standards and certification.

Life coach: This is a person who helps people achieve personal goals. No licensure is required but independent organizations may recommend training or provide certification.

Dr. Freed is a clinical psychologist in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a medical journalist.

Oncologists, perhaps, are all-too-familiar with Professional Title Confusion, the disorder that leads people to ask about molting at cocktail (cockatiel?) parties when they assume the practitioner is an ornithologist.

Pity the poor anesthesiologists, who, it’s been said, are mistaken not only for anesthetists, but aestheticians as well. Or gynecologists, who must have to explain that they explore neither family trees nor sedimentary rock.

In the world of mental health, Professional Title Confusion is rampant, and getting more confusing with the dawning of the age of life coaches, psychic counselors, and aromatherapists.

The most common mix-up among patients (but few physicians) is the distinction between a psychiatrist (an MD who can prescribe medications) and a psychologist, who provides psychotherapy. Licensed clinical psychologists possess doctoral degrees: either a PhD (generally a degree emphasizing research and clinical practice) or a PsyD (a "practitioner/scholar" degree emphasizing counseling).

Psychologists see patients with serious mental illness as well as individuals, couples, and families facing adjustment challenges. They conduct psychological testing. As in medicine, some specialize (i.e., neuropsychologists, health psychologists, and forensic psychologists). Their postgraduate training generally lasts 6-8 years, including a yearlong internship and almost always, a dissertation.

Educational or school psychologists, on the other hand, may or may not have doctoral degrees, but are licensed to provide specialized care within the school setting, including testing for learning disabilities.

Here’s a quick primer on the other mental health specialists you may encounter in your practice setting (or in the ads of your local independent newspaper.)

LCSW: Licensed clinical social workers, like psychologists, receive training in family dynamics and psychotherapy, but they also have a special expertise in advocacy and identification of community resources for patients. They possess at least a master’s degree (MSW) and have done extensive field work prior to being licensed by their respective states. Some have a doctoral degree (PhD or DSW) and conduct research. In the field of oncology, LCSWs are often core members of the psychosocial team.

MFT: Marriage and Family Therapists are also sometimes called LMFTs (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists) or MFCCs (Marriage, Family, and Child Counselors). They possess master’s degrees in counseling, have done training in the field, and are licensed by their respective states.

Psychiatric Nurse/Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse: These are registered nurses who specialize in psychiatric illness. Advanced practice registered nurses who are PMH APRNs possess master’s or doctorate degrees and have more autonomy, in some cases prescribing medications.

Counselor or psychotherapist: Although they imply legitimacy, these are generic terms that describe what a person does, rather than his or her credentials.

Psychoanalyst: This term describes a person who approaches psychotherapy based on theoretical principles first outlined by Sigmund Freud, generally after receiving highly specialized training in the method. It is not a licensing term, but an approach, and does not indicate whether or not the psychoanalyst is a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional.

Child life specialist: These behavior specialists with training in child development and family dynamics during illness are likely to be found in hospital settings. They generally hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees and may provide support during procedures or work with families in meeting specific targeted goals. They are not licensed at the state level, but many are certified by the Child Life Council, a nonprofit organization.

Art therapist, music therapist, poetry therapist, dance therapist: These alternative therapists may come from any of the fields listed above, or from the artistic disciplines themselves. They do not hold licenses in these areas, but each field of specialty has one or more organizations that outline training standards and certification.

Life coach: This is a person who helps people achieve personal goals. No licensure is required but independent organizations may recommend training or provide certification.

Dr. Freed is a clinical psychologist in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a medical journalist.