There are many different types of mental health care professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. The descriptions below give an overview of what to look for and what to expect from different types of mental health professionals – an important difference is which providers can prescribe medications. Finding the right professional can be easier when you understand the different areas of expertise and training.
Types of Mental Health Providers
Prescribers
The following health care professionals can prescribe medication. They may also offer assessments, diagnoses and talk therapy.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician – meaning they have a college degree, completed four years of medical school, and four years in a psychiatry residency training program. They may specialize in specific diagnoses or populations such as addiction medicine, child and adolescent psychiatry, or the care of older adults (geriatrics). A psychiatrist can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, may provide counseling or psychotherapy and may also prescribe medication. They are trained to distinguish mental health problems from medical conditions that could present with psychiatric symptoms.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)/ Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
An ARNP is a nurse with a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) has additional training in psychiatric and mental health assessment, diagnoses, and treatment. In many states, including Washington, ARNPs may practice independently, so are not supervised by a physician, can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy and prescribe medication.
Physician Assistant (PA/PA-C)
Physician Assistants (PAs) have a college degree and a master’s degree from a physician assistant program. Some PAs specialize in psychiatry and offer their services under the supervision of a psychiatrist. PAs who specialize in psychiatry can diagnose and treat mental health conditions and prescribe medication.
Therapists / Counselors
Mental health providers in this category have a college degree and a master’s or doctoral degree in mental health counseling, psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy. After completing many hours of supervised work with clients or patients, they can become licensed to work independently. The terms “therapist” and “counselor” both refer to providers who offer psychotherapy, or counseling, to individuals, families, couples, or groups to help people overcome mental health challenges, life stress, or other issues that are negatively impacting their lives. When fully licensed, mental health therapists may also assess and diagnose mental health conditions. Some therapists will have training in specific forms of therapy or may focus on particular diagnoses such as trauma, substance use, or autism, for example.
Therapists cannot prescribe medications but may work with those who do.
Psychologist (PhD/PsyD)
Psychologists have a college degree and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or other specialty such as counseling or education to become a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – a non-medical type of doctor. Psychologists are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health using clinical interviews, psychological evaluations, and specialized diagnostic testing.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
LMFTs have at least a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and are trained to treat mental health issues in the context of relationships, which could be with an individual, couples or with a family.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
LMHCs have at least a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or other behavioral science field and provide a variety of therapeutic interventions. They are qualified to evaluate and treat mental health conditions by providing counseling or psychotherapy.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW/LCSW)
LICSW have at least a master’s degree in social work and provide assessment, diagnosis, counseling and a range of other services, depending on their licensing and training. LICSWs aim to empower people to see their own inner strengths and build upon them to overcome mental health challenges.