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The Professionals
The mental health world is populated with many types of professionals, each with different training, different qualifications, and a different approach. Licenses may be important if you're looking for a therapist who can prescribe medication or who is expert in a particular problem such as drug addiction. But in general, good therapy is most often the result of a great client-therapist connection. Because most of us aren't quite clear on the differences between psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and coaches, here's a rough field guide:
Art Therapist
Art therapists have a master's level degree in art therapy or a related field. They are trained to use the creative process to help clients understand and better cope with emotional issues. Art therapists may work with groups or individuals and may use a wide variety of art materials to encourage clients to create visual representations of their thoughts and feelings.
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Clinical social workers commonly hold a master's degree in social work (or the equivalent) and have completed two years of supervised practice to obtain a clinical license. They may use a variety of therapeutic techniques, including psychodynamic therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Counselor
Some counselors have a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology or a related area. They generally complete two years of supervised practice before becoming licensed. Counselors treat all sorts of problems: from alcoholism and eating disorders to relationship issues and depression.
Drug & Alcohol Counselor
Drug and alcohol counselors have received specialized training in substance abuse and recovery from addiction. They help patients discover the roots of their addictions, manage withdrawal, and repair their lives and relationships.
Licensed Psychoanalyst
A licensced psychoanalyst has earned a postgraduate degree in psychology or psychiatry and has had an additional eight to ten years of training in psychoanalysis, including undergoing analysis himself. Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy based on the theories of Freud, wherein the patient explores his patterns of thinking and behavior--often originating in various childhood developmental phases--through free-association and identification with the analyst. Psychoanalysts treat patients intensively; treatment can last five to ten years on average, with at least three or four sessions per week.
Life Coach
Anyone can call himself a life coach, though some associations are in the process of establishing professional guidelines for this fast-growing field. A life coach may have mental health training, or may draw upon personal experiences to offer clients help with setting and reaching personal and professional goals.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists have either a master's or doctorate degree specializing in family and interpersonal dynamics. They treat individuals in the context of family relationships, addressing issues from anger and resentment to intimacy and communication skills.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists have at least a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. They work with children and adults who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. Occupational therapy improves a patient's ability to perform tasks in their living and working environments. They also help patients develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills by improving basic motor functions and reasoning abilities.
Pastoral Counselor/Therapist
Pastoral counselors are trained in both psychology and theology, and provide psychological as well as spiritual guidance to clients and their families. They perform a variety of tasks such as conducting religious services, delivering religious rites, and providing counseling and companionship to patients and family members. In many cases they have a master's degree in divinity and are members of the clergy.
Pre-Licensed Professional
A pre-licensed professional is in the process of meeting the requirements to become a licensced practitioner. They may be interns, trainees, students, or residents, and may treat patients under the supervision and guidance of licensed therapists.
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric or mental-health nurses have received additional training in dealing with behavioral issues, psychiatric drugs, and a variety of different therapies. They may administer medication to patients as well as provide psychotherapy and counseling.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of specialized mental-health training. Psychiatrists treat the full range of emotional and mental disorders, and are licensed to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists sometimes use psychotropic medication in conjunction with therapy to treat patients.
Psychologist
Psychologists have earned a doctorate degree in psychology. Their training may have been focused on theory and research methods, or they may have concentrated in clinical therapy and counseling. Psychologists are required to complete several years of supervised practice before becoming licensed.
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