There are many different kinds of mental health professionals with different focuses and expertise. It can be confusing if you are new to the world of mental health. While there is overlap in some duties and mental health professionals can choose to specialize at any level, these are the basic differences between the most common kinds of professionals you may encounter.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are the medical doctors of the mental health world. This is who you are likely to see if you need medication to manage mental health difficulties. Unlike psychologists, social workers, or counselors, they must complete medical school and take many courses in both psychology and anatomy. Due to the high demand for psychiatrists, doctors with experience working with psychiatric patients may be authorized to prescribe psychiatric medications as well. To lower their caseload, psychiatrists may also work in a team with one or more psychologists who conduct regular therapy and provide input on treatments. You are most likely to see psychiatrists in a clinical setting, like a hospital or private clinic.
Psychologist
While again psychologists may choose to specialize in specific disorders or areas, I like to first break the title down into two main kinds – clinical and research.
Clinical psychologists typically treat diagnosable psychiatric disorders or abnormal behavior. They are able to diagnose and provide nonmedical treatment. Clinical psychologists may provide cognitive-behavioral therapy, recreational therapy, group therapy, and much more. As this is the individual you will have the most contact with, it is important to find someone who you feel comfortable with. Clinical psychologists can be found in hospitals or private clinics like psychiatrists.
Research psychologists focus on developing and carrying out research studies to better our understanding of psychology. Unless you are a student or are approached to participate in a study, it is unlikely you will directly work with one of these professionals. These are the people behind the scenes that impact the education other professionals and the public receive. Research is also crucial to developing better treatments and therapy techniques. Psychology professors usually work as researchers for their university. Researchers may also be found working for private companies, nonprofit organizations, government entities, or independent research centers.
Social Worker
Social workers are often the first professionals to make contact with those in crisis. This type of professional works in the field and actively visits with clients to address immediate needs. One of the most crucial roles the social worker plays is to connect clients with essential resources – both mental health and other – in their communities. In essence, social workers are the telephone lines that connect the mental health world. Social workers can be found in a wide variety of environments – schools, hospitals, community crisis centers, the foster system, and more.
Mental Health Counselor
Counselors are utilized by not only those with diagnosed conditions, but everyday people who simply need a little extra support from time to time. They typically do not diagnose or treat serious mental health conditions but are able to refer to clients to a psychologist or psychiatrist who can. Counselors may choose to focus on a certain area or provide services for a wide range of concerns. The most common forms of counseling include relationship counseling, grief counseling, support groups, or general counseling. Like social workers, mental health counselors often serve as a first point of contact for people in need. They can help connect clients to other services if needed or teach basic coping skills to help an individual manage their own mental health. You may find counselors at schools, community centers, or working under a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Therapist
The term therapist is often used interchangeably with any of the above titles (with the exception of research psychologist). It serves as an umbrella term for any mental health professional that works directly with clients.
Final Thoughts
While education requirements and responsibilities differ, each mental health professional role is important. Having multiple roles allows those in need to find the level of care that is appropriate to them. I hope this overview has given you a better understanding of the different types of professionals. Thanks for reading!