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Choosing a Therapist or Marriage CounselorIt is easy to get confused about all the different types of therapists, and their different degrees and licensures. Here is a brief guide to help you find the right kind of therapist for you. Marriage and Family TherapistThe Marriage and Family Therapist license is the most common license for providers of individual psychotherapy, couple counseling and family therapy. It requires a master's degree and 3000 hours of clinical internship. More information on MFTs is available at www.CAMFT.org Clincal Social WorkerLicensed Clinical Social Workers are also common providers of individual, marriage and family therapy. The license requires similar training as an MFT, but the social work focus includes specific training in helping clients access community resources. More information about Social Workers is available at www.naswca.org PsychologistLicensure as a psychologist requires a doctorate degree. Psychologists often have specialized training in areas such as psychological assesment. They commonly provide individual psychotherapy and may offer couples counseling as well. More information about psychologists is available at www.cpapsych.org PsychiatristPsychiatrists obtain an MD by going to medical school. They specialize in treating more severe mental illness. They are the only mental health practitioners capable of prescribing medication. While their training in medicine is thorough, their training in psychotherapy may represent a smaller portion of their graduate education. More information about psychiatrists is available at www.calpsych.org Other Useful Links:American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy National Institute of Mental Health American Counseling Association |
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