Choosing to seek mental health services to help you navigate difficult issues is a great way to bolster your mental well-being. But as you search for a mental health professional with the right credentials to meet your therapy needs, you’ll find the terms therapist vs psychologist used interchangeably.
On the most basic level, both professionals have a vast knowledge of mental processes and human behavior and can provide practical strategies to bolster mental well-being.
However, a therapist and a psychologist also have some differences.
To help you make the right decision as you schedule an appointment, we’ve listed down what you need to know about a therapist vs psychologist.
The Terms
The terms therapist and psychologist do not necessarily overlap each other. The term therapist refers to any individual who is trained to help people improve their mental health. It’s a blanket term that encompasses a broad range of professions like psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers.
The term psychologist refers to individuals who attended graduate school to earn their doctoral degrees. Put simply, psychologists can be considered therapists but not all therapists can be considered psychologists.
Education Background
Their levels of education also distinguish the two mental health professionals. Generally, a psychologist has higher educational requirements than a therapist.
A therapist may have a certificate, degree, advanced master’s, or even PhD in counseling or several degrees in various fields including substance abuse, family counseling, or social work.
A psychologist is a social scientist who is professionally trained in one or more branches of psychology. They typically have an advanced degree such as a PhD in psychology or PsyD in clinical psychology.
Mental Health Treatment
Therapists and psychologists offer exceptional mental health support to a wide range of clients. That said, if you need support for mental illness, a therapist would be the best choice as they tend to specialize in specific fields of mental health or work with a specific population like children, teens, or adults. Additionally, they are easier to find as many mental health clinics offer therapy and counseling services through licensed therapists.
Psychologists, on the other hand, will often leverage their specialized education and expertise in working with clients dealing with persistent and severe mental illness. They can administer psychological tests to diagnose mental disorders and work with psychiatrists to administer treatment.
For these reasons, some of these professionals work in hospitals and inpatient facilities. However, with recent developments like online therapy, you can also find a psychologist online or in some mental health clinics if you need a bit more specialized psychotherapy services.
Overall, Keep in mind that some psychologists choose to focus on research or teaching and may have little experience treating people. Make sure to choose a professional with the right educational background, proper licenses, and experience to help you with your specific issue.
Contact B.E.S.T LLC for Professional Therapy and Counseling
If you are searching for effective therapy and counseling services that are tailored to your needs and situation, contact B.E.S.T LLC. Our licensed therapists have helped many people overcome challenges and rediscover their true selves and we can do it for you too. Contact us to schedule an appointment.