Psychiatrist, Therapist, Social Worker, LCSW, Psychologist... Who Should You See? 

I wanna be a psychiatrist. even tho I'm still 11, I'm working really hard in 5th grade right now and it's paying off.

I want to be a psychologist. I’ve experienced severe mental illness first hand. I want to help other people. I start school in two weeks. :)

That's a fabulous shirt, Kati.

I once saw a psychiatrist and she went right to "take this drug". I've been to 2 different counselors and they were more about getting at the root of my anxiety. Much prefer counselors but thats just been my experience.

Love the way she said "Twelve short years laterrr" Lmao I'm just now starting and it seems like a lot but I have a passion for helping others so I'm excited about it all. Can't wait to work in this field.

Thank you for recognizing social work! So many people I know make the assumption that only people with psychology degrees can practice as therapists. I'm currently studying to get my bachelor's in social work, and absolutely love the field and its framework. It drives me crazy that it gets a bad reputation!

Hi Kati, I'm a psychiatry resident and I just wanted to clarify that in order to become a psychiatrist, you need 4 years of undergrad, 4 of medical school and 4 years of residency. If you want to sub-specialize AKA Fellowship (such as Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist or Substance Abuse Psychiatry) you will need another 2 years for a total of 6 years in psychiatry training. I agree, it's a long road, but in the end it's worth it!!! Love your channel!!!

I feel everyone can benefit from therapy. I spoke with an advocate once and she was very helpful.

My therapist is an LPC with a Masters in Education, and specializes in EMDR for PTSD. She is a life saver, and it took me 20 years to find a therapist I clicked with. I also have a great psychiatrist mainly for med management, and he is very thorough in communicating with both my therapist and primary care dr, as well as any other specialist I am seeing. It can take a long time to find the right professional support team for you, but it's a wonderful feeling when you have managed to do so.

Thank you for this video omg I have been wondering this for forever

I'm an LPC-Intern, so I can answer any questions about "our side." There really isn't much difference between our professions, except we tend to deal with ALL issues in the community (which do include addictions and substance abuse) rather than focus on just one main area such as MFT like yourself. It's like choosing a physician vs a specialist. Oh, and it took me 3 1/2 years, not 2, due to the revised 60 hr programs here in Texas, haha.

Please share EVERYWHERE you can! :) Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, wherever! Let's share some MUCH needed information :)

People need to understand that psychiatrist are more interested in medicines than people. Therapist/Counselors build relationships because they talk to you more. If you wanna vent get a counselor, if you want drugs get a psychiatrist. It’s that simple. As for side effects, you can find that on the internet but you can always ask your psychiatrist about it after all they are supposed to be experts but they are highly overworked and stressed & sometimes they just don’t have the answers to everything. But if you know your own body and what works for you and you want your drugs, then tell them 🤷🏻‍♀️

I love my psychiatrist. I've seen several counselors, therapists, and psychologists, but she's honestly the most genuine, caring, and warm clinician I've ever had.

I would like to emphasize to all that the level of education does not necessarily mean "better treatment".. I have seen psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and am currently seeing a bachelor of social work counsellor. She's personally been the most helpful for me - not because she knows more or less but because she. . . A) has a lot of experience B) has a good relationship with me. She is the person I've felt safest with and been able to open up to most. This will be DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE.. Please don't get stuck trying to find the "best educated" professional, as honestly I did at the starting point in my own treatment. I then found my counsellor (because she was most accessible in a small town) and she's been amazing! I've worked with her for 5 years on and off and that's been okay with her as at times life will happen and I'll need help again. Sometimes an open and objective place is what you need more than a friend or family members support.. Hope you're all doing well and taking care of yourself!!

i was lost but now i’m found 🙌🏽✨

I’m a psych major, in my third year as an undergrad and I have no idea what any of the fields are in psychology. This video helped me tremendously.

1. I've recently come across your channel, it's great! 2. I'm a psychiatry resident and I get this question all the time as well. The only thing I would add about seeing a psychiatrist, is our focus on possible medical causes underlying psychiatric issues. Many ailments can cause depression / anxiety / psychosis. A thorough health screen with lab work should be strongly considered in anyone with an unknown health status, history of family medical problems, or new onset symptoms without any attributable social stressors.

Great primer! I am a psychiatrist. Just a few notes, if I may: Counseling is NOT psychotherapy, though some people may find it very useful to their particular situations. Psychiatrists are trained to be able to provide any level of treatment, but medication management is what we mostly do, for many of the reasons Kati mentioned, including the fact that it’s the main thing that we can do that nobody else is qualified to offer. Incidentally, the psychiatry internship/residency is actually a 4 yr program, after medical school. We tend to oversee the treatment team, and will, for example, very often recommend psychotherapy, to be provided by dedicated psychotherapists, if appropriate, and if the patient has the financial and cognitive resources to make it a viable option. Overall, psychotherapy is much more expensive and time consuming than medication based treatment, but is a great modality, either as augmentation, or sometimes as a primary treatment, for most anxiety disorders and DEPRESSIVE mood disorders. Notably: Bipolar mood d/o and psychotic conditions are two examples of conditions that CANNOT be successfully treated without medications, full stop. One other point that bears mention: a good psychotherapist is both MORE and LESS than a friend. They DO need to be someone you can trust, but, for a number of reasons, you DON’T necessarily need to “like” them, per se. (See “transference” for a deeper dive). In fact, if you’re able to talk about it, disliking your psychotherapist can actually become the key to an effective psychotherapeutic relationship! The psychotherapist is not there simply to validate your feelings. Think about it. They are agents of change, and change ONLY comes through conflict.

I found your channel today and it has brought me so much comfort. I am in school to become a therapist but also struggle with my own health, and you have assisted in educating me. Thank you.

Correction, you need a Masters degree to be a school counselor; a four year degree won't cut it.

You're a good person Kati, A ray of light in a very dark world. Don't ever stop being yourself. You help a lot of people in part because you care so much. God Bless.

Thank you for sharing this! I really want to be a psychiatrist when I'm older, and this really made things a lot more clear and I am much more confident that this is what I want to do with my life!

I am a social worker and I am happy I went that route because you are more marketable. Social workers can be clinical and not clinical.

Such an important installment! I was diagnosed by a Psy.D., who then referred me to an LMFT. Confused me, but I learned the differences between the different flavors. Five years later, I have a feel for the type of professional I need to see next and can articulate the reasons why. Thanks Kati!!

LPC and LMFT are really only differentiated in practice by an individualistic vs. systemic approach to client conceptualization. Otherwise they function very similarly

Kati:says multiple times Alexa Amazon home devices:Confused screaming

I actually have something in my area not sure if it’s nation wide but it’s call comprehend. I see a therapist and a psychiatrist. Both are wonderful. They’ve both been there when I felt no one else would be. Wonderful wonderful people!

Hi! Here in my state, LPCs, LCSWs, LADCs, & LMFTs are all the same. However, LMFTs have a more difficult time trying to do private practice b/c health insurances will not carry them. In my state, LPCs are the most recognized, hirable, & valued among the licensed therapists. We also have LADCs for which many LPCs choose to double certified. The major difference between LPCs and the others are the ability to do private practice. There are also psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners and PAs with a speciality in psychiatry that work under a psychiatrist and have prescribing authority. There are also mental health techs that are unlicensed and work on behavioral health units as the "eyes & ears" of the floor. There's my therapeutic milieu for today 😊

Hi Kati. Love your channel. I can help with your understanding of Licensed Professional Counselors, as I am completing my training to become one (I am an intern). You are mostly correct in that LPCs and LMFTs do, or can do, pretty much the same things. There is no emphasis on substance abuse; what you are seeing in the literature probably arises from the fact that the term "counselor" can be used by certified addictions counselors who are not LPCs, and some people going into master's programs in Counseling are already working as addiction counselors. *** The main distinction between the three master's level mental health professionals - LMFTs, LPCs, and LCSWs - is that came they have different histories of how they came into being, and this is reflected in the conceptual approach that they tend to take in their training. Professional Counseling has its roots in two areas: vocational/guidance counseling and psychometrics. Vocational counselors were employed by the U.S. Government during the Great Depression. Psychometrics - the science of assessing aptitudes and personality to fit various jobs descriptions - was used during this time, and was expanded even further during World War II, when laypeople were trained as "psychometrists" to evaluate people for best vocational fit in the armed services. After the war, these vocational counselors advocated for their profession, successfully demonstrating the benefit of employing counselors at schools and universities. As time went on, guidance counselors increasingly found that they were working in other settings than just schools, and that regardless of the setting, they were increasingly providing psychotherapy. More and more counselors began to distinguish themselves as "clinical" counselors rather than school counselors, and wanted that distinction to be recognized. One problem has been that counseling was inconsistently regulated, so there was a time when counselors had varying levels of training, and state licensure was not uniform. The organization known as CACREP was stared to bring about more consistency and more rigorous standards in the training of counselors, and it has also lobbied for states to adopt strict, uniform standards for licensing counselors. Because of this approach, counselors tend to take a strength-based approach rather than a pathology-based approach, although they are still able to diagnose, bill insurance, etc. In training, counselors are trained more on individual and group therapy techniques, with family and systems theory being but one area of competence required. While counselors can and do perform couples and family therapy, many universities, including my own, offer separate training programs for those who want to be LMFTs and work primarily with couples and families. Despite these technical differences, I have found that, once we are in practice, there is virtually no difference between LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs in terms of what they actually DO, with the possible exception that many LCSWs are employed by agencies working with families and communities, such as departments of family and children's services, and some LPCs, although trained clinicians, may find employment as school counselors as well (the LPC license, in many states, trumps the requirement for school counselor licensure). I hope that helps!

I met a wonderful psychiatrist during my inpatient stay and he was all (really good) therapy and talk, we hardly talked about medication at all. I wonder how he did that:)

This is why I want to do everything to be an LCSW and a Psychiatrist because I think both parts are important.

I am a registered Social Worker. A lot of my clients frequently ask me what the difference is between the different Mental Health professionals. Thank you for your video - very helpful to use as a tool;-)

You are so helpful 💟

I’m in 7th grade going to gr.8 and I keep switching between wanting to be a psychologist and psychiatrist. So many people say “be a psychiatrist because you don’t need to listen to others bs and you get more pay” but I also know it’s really hard to become a psychiatrist. I personally want to listen to others to help them feel heard but I’ve always been interested in mental health and illnesses. I also don’t have the best grades, which I hope to improve throughout high school but I’ve never had the best grades since I’m always a little distracted in class. I have OCD but it’s not to severe and that’s what can sometimes keep me from learning. I do hope I can choose which one and hope I can continue to follow my dreams!!!!

I start school 1/22/2020 because i feel it fits my personality and because when kati helped me something clicked and she inspired me to make this my career

I have a psychiatrist, he's really good, helps me with my ADHD and depression. I need to start seeing a psychologist though, but I'm unsure as I have had a couple in the past and they got my mental health issues all wrong and was not able to help me properly. I just need someone who can help couch me with my ADHD and social issues, someone to talk to when I'm down in the dumps and can help me with coping strategies for dealing with anxiety, depression etc etc.

Hey Kati! I am studying to be an LPC in Texas (I graduate in May) and just wanted to add my input! In my program, we don't have any further emphasis in addiction. In fact, I'm learning WAY more about addiction at my internship site than in my program and with my one course in addiction. In Texas, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDCs) have more specialized training in addiction, though. LCDCs require less education and clinical hours, at least in Texas. My program is also more than 2 years long- it's 60 credit hours and closer to 3 years. It's so interesting (and super confusing) the wide variety of mental health professional titles who do basically the same thing!

Thank you soooooo much for this video. I've been really stressed out lately because I'm a semester into community college and have no idea what I want to do. I want to be prepared, that's how I am. I have a lot of anxiety because I know have to register for my next semester classes and I want to make the most out of them. Mental health is huge to me. I've been through depression before and it changed my life around. I love talking with my friends and helping them and I love helping people. I love it. I love being kind and reaching out to people and making sure they're okay. I was interested in psychiatry at first, because they could do a lot, but after a lot of research it put me off... A lot of education, a lot of money (which is great obviously), but a lot of people I heard from said they don't do a great job. And hearing from you as well, they seem to be more focused on the drug side of things rather than the individual. That scares me. I want to help people, right down to the core. I am a firm believer that we as humans can heal negative mental health without meds and all though I can see why meds are helpful, I don't want to be the person who hasn't tried to help someone without them at the start. You seem like a wonderful positive person and explaining these jobs was a great deal of help to me. I know now I don't want to be a psychiatrist, regardless of the money, and I know I want to focus on one of the other major categories you talked about. I love this field and your shirt is fantastic! You're beautiful!

There are so many different levels to mental health. It comes down to us. We live in our brains 🧠

Love your shirt soo much kati !!

Great video! Very informative, however psychiatrist do a 4 year training in psychiatric residency after graduating medical school and them become board certified or further specialize. Psychologist with a Ph.D. also do a dissertation with original research and internship as well which takes usually 5-7 years before sitting for their licensure exam.

I see an LPC for my depression. She's my own Kate. :)

I'm telling you, the best psychiatrists are the ones that are warm and fuzzy. Just my short interaction with them did more wonders than any antidepressant. More emphasis needs placed on caring about people. Thank you for explaining credentials because my last therapist was a LPC and I'm looking for a new therapist and to me at the time I considered LPC to be the least trained but you have said they are all pretty similar with exception of the psychiatrist. This makes me feel better.

i wanna be a psychiatrist (i’m 13) and i’m really putting all my tome into this i absolutely love it wish me luck

This is the best explanation of our mental health professional designations and how similar we all really are, I work with a master level psychologist who cant practice therapy, she has more education than I do but didnt have a clear understanding of credentials and what they qualify people to do as professionals, this video should be standard for anyone who is looking for a career in mental health, very well done, and am now a subscriber. I am a PLMSW, practicing therapist who has not tested and works under direct supervision of an LCSW. I work directly under a psychiatrist in an inpatient behavioral health hospital, and absolutely love what we do.

There are a couple others. I know Kati spent time on researching for us and that's so appreciated. In addition to the ones Kati mentioned. There are some differences in credentials that are associated in social work. BSW: bachelors in social work and then students go on to take a licensure exam, this would then make them a LSW. With that individuals usually find themselves in jobs like case management and direct client service of brokering, helping clients with resources to higher needs. It's a four year degree and then 450 clinical hours. The next would be a LMSW- licensed masters social work, which is one that Kati described as an LCSW. This is a four year degree with two addition graduate years and then after clinical hours, they can sit and pass licensure. At a LMSW you might find yourself in any of the titles that Kati mentioned BUT you cannot do private practice, you must gain additional clinical hours and sit for the LCSW, licensed clinical social worker. At that time you can hang your own shingle, and be your own boss and you can also supervise other LMSW professionals. Hope this adds to the conversation and thanks Kati for posting.

The main thing I love about your videos Kati, is that you are so kind about everyone and anyone. I have been looking at comparison videos of counsellors and psychologists all evening, but yours is the only one that doesn’t disregard the professionals that are “less educated” than you. I have been offended by every video I’ve seen! But as always, your video is warm, inspiring and non-judgemental. I love your channel. Thank you so much for being the person you are!

I actually really liked my psychiatrist. I wished he would do therapy it’s so hard to find someone you actually feel like is helping you

Kati Morton, thanks for clarifying to the general public. The two you didn't mention is Psychiatric Nurses and/or Case Managers. Psychiatric nurses can focus of overall health, prioritizing health care needs, health promotion and look at Critical pathways, provide mental health assessment, Provisional Diagnosis and providing treatment with or without consultation of a physician. Case Managers are like the "Jack of all trades", they could be a Social Worker, Counsellor, or psychiatric nurse. Case Managers are clinicians in the community focus on function, psychosocial support, resource allocation and/or referral to other resources. BTW through your videos, you come across as approachable, sincere, wanting to help people learn skills and have experience in acute care settings. Good job!!!

This has been a challenge for me, because I was seeing a doctor in trauma, then she had to make a tough decision to leave the clinic to work in her own practice. I then started seeing a basic counselor for the past 2 yrs. This has been difficult for us both. I feel like we've only been able to put out spot fire crisis circumstances, rather than work on the root of my issues. I believe she truly wants to help me, yet I feel she just doesn't understand my issues with OCD, C-PTSD, and BPD. I do not understand these labels, much less the other added diagnosis I've been tagged with. I had my 1st appt with a new doctor in Trauma last week. I felt this appt was like having a life preserver thrown to me in high seas, at Night. I have No disrespect for my previous therapist, but am feeling very thankful for the opportunity to work with a therapist who can be my guide in areas I seriously need help. Thank you Kati for your videos, they have helped me a whole lot.

I would have never looked this up until my homeschooler needed it. Thank you for breaking it ALL down!!!

I wish my therapist was this amazing.

I want to become a ' Counselor ' and help people with their depression, problems and anxiety. 💜😊

Thank you so much for posting this! I know I want to study phycology in college with an emphasis on eating disorders and this helped clear up the difference between a LMFT and a clinical phycologist, which I've been confused about for awhile. This seriously made me so excited to work in the mental health field. Thanks so much Kati!

For LPC’s - CACREP accredited Programs for “Clinical mental health counseling” often take at minimal 3+ years to complete due to the 1 year on site training (i.e. practicum & internship). APA accredited Psychology PhD or PsyD programs take at minimum 5 years to complete, but general take 6 years to complete. Psychiatry: in order to become a psychiatrist, it’s 3 YEARS for a residency. Fellowships to sub-specialize take 1-2 years to complete. Psychiatrist are EXTENSIVELY trained to understand how psychopharmacological interventions are used within an individual’s treatment plan. As a current grad student myself, I highly recommend that you dive deeper into really knowing the differences between all the professions so you can adequately refer clients to the right specialist when needed

My current therapist is an LPC. She started out as an addiction counselor while going to grad school then she went the route you did and worked in a few treatment facilities specializing in eating disorders and self harm, and she also does a lot of DBT. I've had everyone from LCSWs to LMFTs to psychologist and psychologist and even a psychiatric nurse (my psychiatrist's aid), and the funny thing is that you can''t really tell the difference between them. Obviously, psychiatrists are different because they can prescribe meds, but I really haven't seen too many differences other than my psychologist in college, because she had me do all of the evaluations. Great video Kati XOX :D

THANK YOU SO MUCH 😫 I never understood any of this and the amount of schooling I'd need until now

Hey Kati! Love your videos but I just want to clear something up super quick. In order to be a school counselor, you must have a master's in school counseling. Most states also require school counselors to be certified teachers as well. Many school counselors have a bachelor's in education and a masters in school counseling.

Thank you so much for this! I've recently changed my career path from wanting to be a teacher to wanting to be a clinical psychologist & this video really helped break down what each profession does & how long they have to go to college for!

Thank you watching your videos is helping me through this time of finding a new therapist ......... I'm glad you are making videos

You’re literally the best at first I thought I wanted to become a dentist but when I started getting into therapy and learning about it it just really caught my attention and just seemed so fun because I sometimes feel very down I wouldn’t say I’m depressed just I feel alone and theirs no one I can talk to so I want to help people who feel the same way I do I literally only wanted to become a dentist because I thought the had cool buildings as a kid and I didnt know what else to do but therapy is so interesting to me (also totally subbing to you you’re the best!).

Very informative! I am planning on becoming either a psychologist or psychiatrist when I get older & this is leaning me more towards psychologist. Thank you, Kati! :))

In this order 1. Psychiatrist 2. Phd Clinical Psychologist 3. LCSW 4. LMFT 5. LPC 6. Bachelor level general counselor/case worker

I absolutely loved this video! I've been really interested in going to college for psychology but I wasn't sure what specific area I should specialize in, and this video helped me out so much! At the moment I think I will go and be a psychologist! I love your videos so much and they teach me a lot. So grateful to have people like you on RU-vid to educate and share your knowledge!! Thank you!❤️

school counselors are also masters level professionals and are often trained alongside LMHC's. the core training is the same, the environments they work in and scopes of practice are different.

Wow, my psychiatrists in Canada have always seen me for 30 mins to an hour! I think it was because we were unable to afford therapy for me at the time, but it was so incredibly helpful.

As a psychologist you can get post doctoral training in psychopcharmachology and get prescription rights and have the ability to manage both psychological treatment and drug treatment of your patients.

I’ve always wanted to do something that would benefit others and I really love helping people it makes me honestly feel happy. Thanks for telling me what route I should take

This is the most detailed video I could find thank you so much !!!!!

Thank you! I finally understand this! :) I just gotta say, I love that shirt!!!!

Hi Kati, I'm Kayla I am so passionate about psychology. I would love to go back to school for psychology. You're video really did help me not be so afraid of going back to school. I am almost 30 years old. But I've always wanted to be in this field. I just don't know where to start but I will start by looking at schools and see what they have to offer. Thank you for your help!

Licensure requirements vary by state. Some licenses/certifications/acronyms do not exist in all states, or may go by different names, but essentially be the same.

Many school counselors also have a Master's Degree (required for work at the college level in Counseling) as well as a credential, which involves fieldwork hours (600 in California). Drug and alcohol counselors are the ones that have just a 2- or 4-year degree.

This video is SO helpful! You explain the differences in a way that's really understandable. I always wondered about the "Dr" thing, because in Denmark, where I'm from, we only call medical doctors Dr, so thanks for clearing that up! Now I just have to find out how to translate this video to Danish, because I'm not even sure if we have that many mental health professionals here.. Haha!

I talked to a psychiatrist when I was in the hospital, it helped a little. I was her only client at the time. She was really nice and I told her EVERYTHING... Self harm, trouble eating (was never diagnosed with an eating disorder), suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety. She was the best person I've ever talked to.

Thank you so much for this!!! I've been thinking about my profession for a while now and just recently I decided on becoming a therapist but, all the information out there confused the ton out of me. Thank you so much for breaking everything down. A LMFT is exactly what I want to do xoxo

You have helped me so much with choosing my College programs.

I'm really lucky, I found a wonderful psychiatrist who sees me for 45 minutes to an hour every week. I think both medication and therapy are very important, it's a shame more psychiatrists aren't like this anymore.

would love to see an updated version of this. a lot of counseling positions require master’s now 🙁

Thank you Kati I am a junior at my university and I have to think about graduate school and I was thinking of being a LMFT, but now I know I have options.

I love it that ur kind. I so so many vids of people hating on psychiatrists and as a passionate premed it feels disillusioned

I’m going to a psychologist today, twice because I need to choose which on I prefer, I’m very nervous.

I am currently working on my undergrad in psychology to transfer into a LMFT or LCSW program. Much credit to psychiatrists for all the schooling they achieve. I prefer only the counseling side of things.

Hey Kati, From what I could tell you have not made a video about internalized homophobia and the anxiety/depression surrounding it. It's something I struggle with and I haven't found anyone (counselors, therapists, etc.) that know much about it. I'm not sure how "real" of a term it is, but it's the easiest way to describe my problem with self-acceptance and self-confidence. I know it's okay to be gay but I also get really bad social anxiety (full on physiological fight/flight reaction) about being punished or judged for it (because I somehow think it's bad?). It's easy for people to say "just don't care what others think," but it's deeper than that. I would love to explain it in more detail, I just don't want to put too much effort into a RU-vid comment that may not get seen. Have a great day:D

I met my therapist it was weird felt a connection instantly. She asked me some amazing questions and I was quite impressed with her observations. It feels like a meeting of minds. Deeper understanding. This is like the sixth one of tried and not followed up. But this one seems to get it on a spiritual level, if that makes sense. In Africa people with mental health are born healers and after a ritual they become well and serve the community with there new gift. I feel like once iv worked threw these issues I will train up in the same field that helped me. To help others

becoming a school counselor requires a masters.

This Kati Morton youtube feature pertaining to psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, therapist, social worker including the professional and educational designations/licenses are highly informative. The thorough, descriptive, and clarity broadening examples from the youtube author's own life also enhance the theme of the youtube video in an educational way.

Awesome video Kati! Very helpful and well done!

I learned alot from this! Thank you. Its been my dream to have a career in psychology. Im just enrolling in college next week. Oh and im 40. Better late then never 🤷

ah finally!! I've been waiting for a video like this :) thank you!!

I am so grateful I found this channel!!!!

I'd love to get into the mental health profession and this was very helpful to me in deciding where I want to end up if possible. Thank you. On another topic do you have any videos on social anxiety/ phone anxiety and how to cope?

Ah! I didn’t realize that people below the psychologist level could handle diagnoses. This is really helpful information. Thank you.

Very different in the UK I think. In terms of qualifications a counsellor has usually completed a one year diploma in counselling. They don't need to have a degree. Those employed in the NHS will have had checks of their quality of experience though. There is no such thing as a LMFT. However there are a lot of CBT therapists employed in the NHS, which seem to me to be of a similar level. The majority of these will have gone through the IAPT training route. IAPT is the primary care mental health service in the UK. Do do this they would need to first have a degree in a related subject e.g. psychology, mental health nursing, social work or occupational therapy. They would then have done an intense 2 year training course (through a university) to become a High Intensity Therapist in IAPT. Although many remain in IAPT, others also have moved to other types of services, like secondary care community mental health teams. There are also psychologists, most commonly clinical psychologists, who have first done a degree in psychology, then a doctorate in clinical psychology (in the UK these take 3 years each) - they therefore have the title "Doctor". To confuse things even more there is also such thing as a Counselling Psychologist, who, similar to a Clinical Psychologist has done a doctorate. This is not the same thing as a counsellor though. I believe they can diagnose, but usually wouldn't choose to do so (it doesn't fit with our philosophy for the most part!). Like in the US, research is a key part of their training. Neuropsychological testing is generally done by a psychologist, or someone on the training route to becoming a psychologist. Psychiatrists are basically the same as in the US. Although medicine is an undergraduate entry profession in the UK, meaning to train as a doctor you do one 5/6 year degree, rather than an undergrad then a grad degree.

I think the main differences is the approach when it comes to master levels therapist. I believe you will notice a difference if you go to a LPC vs. a LCSW. Which makes sense! That’s why they are totally different degrees and requires you to sit at a different test.

What about Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs)?

Much less common, but also super helpful are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who specialize in Psychiatry and Mental Health. Also referred to as a Psych NP or NP-Psych. They have a bachelor's (or the equivalent) in nursing, plus a master's in advanced practice nursing with a specialty in mental health. Licensing and scope of practice varies from state to state, but here in CA they can work in hospitals, at agencies, with doctors, or in private practice, and they can do both medication evaluations and talk therapy, and are qualified to give diagnoses.

I Came From Snapchat! Anyways This Video Made Me Realize What I Want To Do In The Psychiatric World 🙏

Ha ha i remember those days when Psychiatrist covered it all and that was all i needed. Now they have therapist, group therapy etc etc. The good thing about this is choices choices choices. Fortunately my Psychiatrists have always been great and i am able to treat them as therapist as well. Thanks Kati Morton for the always extremely helpful empowering information. Its people like you who make the internet so magical and powerful.