Find Healing. Mental Health Provider Types
Psychologist
Psychologists and Licensed Counselors are the most similar of all on this list. Both counselor and psychologist counsel and assess, with the ability to diagnose. Psychologists spend a majority of their schooling and practice doing psychological testing, assessment, diagnosis, and provide psychotherapy. They do not prescribe medication. They have Doctoral degrees. Usually we refer to them considering their licensing, education, etc. as either a PhD, PsyD, or Licensed Psychologist.
Psychiatrist
Prescribe medications or use chemicals compounds known as psychotropics for the treatment of mental health conditions. Though the field of psychiatry has been around since the early 3rd-5th Century BC, psychotropics of chemical origin such as Thorazine and Lithium, were not introduced until the 1950’s. Historians attribute these practitioners with asylums or mental institutions. We know of neurotransmitters and how chemical compounds affect them because of psychopharmacology. We also have the creation of the DSMs used for diagnosis because of the field of psychiatry. They may be referred to as a MD, DO, or Board Certified Psychiatrist after completing a Doctorate, or medical degree with usually a 3-4 year residency.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practicioner (Pmhnp)
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Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
This is a Licensed Counselor that is now independent, requiring no supervision. This clinician provides clinical diagnosis, and treat mental health disorders as a psychotherapist, using evidenced based practices (EBTs) after development of the treatment plan. This mental health provider has completed a Masters Degree completing an internship and practicum. They have worked in the mental health field under the training supervision of an independently licensed LPCC-S. They work from frameworks that include counseling theories, and has spent extensive time at the Master’s level of education learning about the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5TR. They do not prescribe medication, but do collaborate with psychiatrists and make referral when needed. Some LPCCs become specialized in niche areas such as trauma-informed care, expressive arts, CBT, existentialism, personality, forensics, etc. Karl Rogers and Aaron Beck were counselors. When a counselor is new to practicing, and still in their practicum or internship, they are often licensed as Counselors in Training (CTs), in Ohio. They are known by other names in other states, and the LPC you may encounter, is a newly licensed Licensed Professional Counselor, not yet independent and only tested once on the state level. Until recently LPCCs had to pass two licensure tests, in Ohio, the NCE and the NCMHCE. Currently LPCCs now only complete one test.
Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
These are similar to LPCCs in Ohio but have had different training/emphasis in schooling. Social Workers work in a variety of settings whereas clinical counselors or professional counselors spend the majority of their time one on one counseling. Social Workers that are independent have obtained a Master’s degree and passed the ASWB exam. They have completed a supervised work experience under an LISW-S and can provide psychotherapy, assessment, and diagnosis services as well as treatment for mental health disorders like the counselor. The major difference between the counselor and the social worker is the training, a LSW or LISW is trained for social systems, including political systems, social advocacy, case management, housing, healthcare, etc. An example might be of a client that has had dealt with being homeless multiple times. Where the counselor may deal exclusively with the why and how of the behavior that contributed to the life circumstance, and begin to treat it, correcting it, supporting the goal of the client the social worker may identify that if the client does not obtain housing homelessness will continue to plague the client. The best combination of treatment comes from a diverse team which includes those who can diagnose and treat as well as those who know how to navigate the housing crisis a client may face.
