by Dr. Tracy Mallett, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, LMFT
Find the mental health treatment provider who is best for you.
Understanding the differences among mental health treatment providers is essential for finding the best fit for your needs and goals. A range of mental health professionals are trained to help individuals understand and manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while also offering guidance to support personal growth and life goals. Many providers are qualified to assess and diagnose mental health conditions and to deliver evidence-based interventions tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals.
Psychologists
Psychology focuses on understanding how people think, feel, and behave. Psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals who hold a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and are licensed to practice in their state or country. Before becoming licensed, they complete many years of education and hands-on training, including supervised experience providing therapy and psychological evaluations.
Psychologists help individuals, couples, and families understand their mental health through conversation, questionnaires, and other assessment tools. They can diagnose mental health conditions and work with clients to create personalized treatment plans. Psychologists use proven, research-based approaches to help people feel better and function more effectively in their daily lives. Most often, this support comes through psychotherapy (also called talk therapy), where clients and psychologists work together in a safe, supportive space to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Some common types of therapy include individual, family, couples and group therapy. Some may have training in specific modalities of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and other behavioral therapy interventions.
Degree requirements: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in a field of psychology, or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.).
Examples of licensure and credentials:
Licensed Psychologist, PsyPact authorization holder
Who should see a Psychologist?
A psychologist may be a good choice for individuals, couples, or families who are having substantial challenges in coping with everyday life, behaviors, or relationships, or are seeking support with emotional or behavioral concerns, coping strategies, or mental health conditions that benefit from therapy, assessment, or personalized treatment planning.
Counselors, Clinicians, Therapists
These are master’s-level mental health professionals who are trained to assess emotional and psychological concerns and provide therapy based on their specific areas of training. Depending on their education, license, and work setting, they may use titles such as counselor, clinician, or therapist.
Most master’s-level mental health providers complete approximately 60 graduate-level credit hours, along with at least two supervised practicum or internship placements where they gain hands-on experience providing therapy. They use evidence-based approaches to help people work toward their mental health and personal goals.
Degree requirements: master’s degree (M.S. or M.A.) in a mental health-related field such as psychology, counseling psychology, or marriage or family therapy.
Examples of licensure include:
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Who should see a Master’s Level Therapist?
A master’s-level therapist may be a good choice for people seeking support with emotional concerns, relationship challenges, stress, or life transitions through collaborative, talk-based therapy.
Clinical Social Workers
Clinical social workers are trained to assess mental health concerns and provide therapy using approaches based on their professional training. In addition to counseling, they are skilled in case management and advocacy, helping people navigate systems such as healthcare, education, and community resources. Their work often takes a whole-person approach, considering emotional well-being alongside environmental, social, and practical factors that affect daily life.
Degree requirements: master’s degree in social work (MSW).
Examples of licensure include:
LICSW: Licensed Independent Social Workers
Who should see a Clinical Social Worker?
A clinical social worker may be a good fit for individuals seeking therapy that also considers life stressors, relationships, and practical challenges, especially when support with resources, advocacy, or navigating systems is helpful alongside emotional care.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatry is the field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who have completed psychiatric training. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and monitor medications and provide therapy. Some have completed additional training in child and adolescent mental health, substance use disorders or geriatric psychiatry.
Degree requirements: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), plus completion of residency training in psychiatry.
Licensure & credentials: Licensed physician in the state where they are practicing; may also be designated as a Board Certified Psychiatrist by the Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.
Who should see a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist may be a good choice for individuals experiencing symptoms that may benefit from medication management, complex mental health concerns, or conditions that require medical evaluation alongside therapy.
Wishing you the best in your search for a mental health provider who is a great fit for you!
Warmly,