What is a Licensed Therapist?

A licensed therapist is a professional with the experience and credentials to provide therapy services to people who need mental health care. There are many types of licensed therapists, including psychologists and Licensed Professional Counselors.

At LifeStance Health, we know that the decision to seek mental health care takes care and consideration. It’s important to know what kind of provider you need. We hope these answers to common questions will help you make that decision. If you have further questions, please reach out to us.

What Kind of Training Do Licensed Therapists Have?

Licensed therapists have master’s or doctoral degrees in psychology, counseling, or social work. There are several paths toward becoming a licensed therapist, each ending with a different specialized license. Therapists licenses include:

• Psychologist
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• National Certified Counselor

The exact name for a licensed therapist varies by state and educational background. In addition to extensive education, licensed therapists must complete in-person training. During this time, they help patients while under the supervision of a licensed therapist. In some cases, they must pass exams after their training to earn their licenses.

In addition to using different styles, therapists may specialize in helping people within certain demographics or treating specific disorders. For example, a therapist could specialize in treating people in the LGBTQ+ community, children, or seniors. Other therapists have a lot of experience helping people with things like:

• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Substance Abuse Disorders
• Psychosis
• ADHD

It’s important to find a therapist that best fits your needs and makes you feel comfortable.

What is the Difference Between a Licensed Therapist and a Psychologist?

A psychologist is one of the many types of licensed therapists. Psychologists have doctoral degrees in psychology. Learn more about these professionals here.

What is a Psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health care. These professionals diagnose mental illness and can prescribe medication in order to treat these disorders. LifeStance Health is proud to have many psychiatrists on our nationwide team alongside psychologists, advanced nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists.

With so many types of mental health care providers, we know that many people have questions about which type of provider to see. Below are answers to many questions about who psychiatrists are and how they can help.

What Kind of Training Do Psychiatrists Have?

These professionals must earn an undergraduate degree, followed by a four-year M.D. or D.O. degree. To specialize in psychiatry, they spend at least three years in residency training as well. With this experience, psychiatrists can take an exam from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and become board certified.

Some psychiatrists further specialize in treating specific psychiatric disorders or types of patients. The ABPN offers sub-specialty certifications in:

• Forensic Psychiatry
• Addiction Psychiatry
• Sleep Medicine
• Adolescent and Child Psychiatry
• Pain Medicine

LifeStance Health psychiatrists also have impressive work experience in the field and demonstrate compassion for their patients.

What is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner?

While both psychiatrists and advanced nurse practitioners have the credentials necessary to prescribe medication, they go through different routes. Psychiatrists earn medical degrees and complete residencies, just like doctors with other specialties.

On the other hand, advanced nurse practitioners start with nursing degrees. They then earn graduate degrees in nursing, where they can specialize in a specific area of practice. Furthermore, advanced nurse practitioners prescribe medication with the permission of a doctor at their practice. At LifeStance Health clinics, advanced nurse practitioners work under a psychiatrist’s license.

What is a Psychologist?

A psychologist is an expert in matters relating to the mind, behavior, and emotions. Psychologists may treat patients, teach students, or conduct research. In the United States, these professionals hold doctoral degrees or terminal master’s degrees.

LifeStance Health is proud to have many expert psychologists on our team. Before you choose a mental health care provider, you may wish to know about each provider’s services, background, and more. We hope these answers will help you make an informed decision about your care. If you have other questions about our providers, services, or conditions we treat, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What Kind of Training Do Psychologists Have?

Psychologists spend between eight and 12 years studying in the university setting, followed by a few years of training for licensure. In most cases, psychologists hold doctoral degrees in psychology. Some specialties, like school psychology, require terminal master’s degrees instead.

Many psychologists start by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Then, they dive deeper into a specific area of the field with a master’s degree. Next, they become experts through research and classwork in a doctoral program. In the final years, they help patients in a clinical setting under the direction of a supervisor, then earn their official licenses.

What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Licensed Therapist?

“Therapist” is an umbrella term for licensed professionals who provide therapy, and a psychologist is just one type of therapist. Other types of therapists include Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Professional Counselor.