Psychiatrist?Therapist?Psychologist?

Question

Whats the difference between psychiatrist and therapist? 'cause i wanna be a therapist and talk to people about their issues and un-stress their lives...but i don't know which one!! WHICH ONE!! and how many years...P.s it's not a freakin' psychologist, its a guy with an office, and nice furniture...they talk to people with their issues, and feelings towards situations, and i get paid by "sessions"...hope someone knows

Answer 1

A therapist IS usually a Psychologist
they need at least.. their Masters in Psychology

a Psychiatrist needs their PhD

Answer 2

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) and he can prescribe medication and talk to people if s/he wants to.

A therapist is usually a psychologist with a Ph.D. (at least 8 yr. of school like an MD) and he listens to problems and cannot prescribe medication. I some state psychologists with MAs can practice. a one or two year internship is also needed. All therapy requires an internship.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers can also listen to people's problems - 2 years and internship.

Licensed Family Therapist - 2 or three years.

Counselors - 2 years

Answer 3

Psychiatrists have gone through medical school. (M.D.)
Psychologists have a Masters Degree or doctorate. (Ph. D)
Psychotherapists are people who have a masters degree is Social Work. (LCSW-C)
Counselors have a masters degree in counseling.

I think what you want to do is psychotherapy. They go through college and then three years of social work school. They see clients usually for 50 minute sessions and help people with things like feelings about going through a divorce, difficulties at school, marriage counseling, feeling over-stressed at work or dealing with fears about things.

Answer 4

I found loads of information... thought it will interest you. it might be repetitive at times, but each sight provided some different and useful info...so i posted it all. hope it answers your question


Mental health services are provided by several different professions, each of which has its own training and areas of expertise. Finding the right professional(s) for you or a loved one can be a critical ingredient in the process of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery when faced with serious mental illness.

Types of Mental Health Professionals:

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Psychiatrist - a psychiatrist is a physician with a doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree or osteopathic (D.O.) degree, with at least four more years of specialized study and training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are licensed as physicians to practice medicine by individual states. "Board certified" psychiatrists have passed the national examination administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Psychiatrists provide medical and psychiatric evaluations, treat psychiatric disorders, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe and monitor medications.

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Psychologist - some psychologists have a master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) in psychology while others have a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in clinical, educational, counseling, or research psychology. Most states license psychologists to practice psychology. They can provide psychological testing, evaluations, treat emotional and behavioral problems and mental disorders, and provide psychotherapy.

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Social Worker- Social workers have either a bachelor's degree (B.A., B.S., or B.S.W.), a master's degree (M.A., M.S., M.S.W., or M.S.S.W), or doctoral degree (D.S.W. or Ph.D.). In most states, social workers take an examination to be licensed to practice social work (L.C.S.W. or L.I.C.S.W.), and the type of license depends on their level of education and practice experience. Social workers provide various services including assessment and treatment of psychiatric illnesses, case management, hospital discharge planning, and psychotherapy.

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Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse - Psychiatric/mental health nurses may have various degrees ranging from associate's to bachelor's (B.S.N.) to master's (M.S.N. or A.P.R.N) to doctoral (D.N.Sc., Ph.D.). Depending on their level of education and licensing, they provide a broad range of psychiatric and medical services, including the assessment and treatment of psychiatric illnesses, case management, and psychotherapy. In some states, some psychiatric nurses may prescribe and monitor medication.

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Licensed Professional Counselors – Licensed Professional Counselors have a master's degree (M.A.) in psychology, counseling or a similar discipline and typically have two years of post-graduate experience. They may provide services that include diagnosis and counseling (individual, family/group or both). They have a license issued in their state and may be certified by the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.


more info........from another source

Types of Mental Health Professionals



Psychiatrist - MD - medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses. Like other doctors, psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication.

Qualifications: should have a state license and be board eligible or certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.



Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist - MD - medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioral problems in children. Child/Adolescent psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication.

Qualifications: should have a state license and be board eligible or certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.



Psychologist - PhD - Counselor with an advanced degree from an accredited graduate program in psychology, and 2 or more years of supervised work experience. Trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy.

Qualifications: a state license.



Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - Counselor with a masters degree in social work from an accredited graduate program. Trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group counseling.

Qualifications: state license; may be member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers.



Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC - Counselor with a masters degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.

Qualifications: state license



Mental Health Counselor - CMHC - Counselor with a masters degree and several years of supervised clinical work experience. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.

Qualifications: certification by the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors.



Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor - Counselor with specific clinical training in alcohol and drug abuse. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.

Qualifications: state license



Nurse Psychotherapist - A registered nurse who is trained in the practice of psychiatric and mental health nursing. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.

Qualifications: certification, state license.



Marital and Family Therapist: A counselor with a masters degree, with special education and training in marital and family therapy. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.

Qualifications: state license



Pastoral Counselor - Clergy with training in clinical pastoral education Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.

Qualifications: Certification from American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

and more.......



General Practitioners (GPs)
Most of us will first contact our family doctor (GP) if we have mental health problems. Often the GP will help with the treatment, but sometimes he or she will refer us to someone else, such as a social worker or counsellor (who may be based at the practice) or to the community mental health team.

Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have undertaken specialised training in the treatment and care of people with mental illness. The psychiatrist may diagnose illness, prescribe medication and other forms of appropriate treatment and decide when to admit people to, and discharge them from, hospital. Some psychiatrists work particularly with children and some with older people. It is possible to see a psychiatrist regularly as an outpatient and this is a good opportunity for you to raise any questions you have about treatment or progress. You have to be referred by your GP.

Nurses and Community Psychiatric Nurses
Nurses can specialise as registered mental nurses (RMNs), who may work in a psychiatric hospital. Community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) are generally registered mental nurses with further training, employed by the local NHS Trust to help people with mental health problems in the community. CPNs assess needs, and plan, undertake and evaluate programmes of care, using a variety of approaches. These include counselling, behavioural, cognitive, social, medical and educational techniques. They work with individuals, couples or families and are based at mental health centres. You have to be referred by your GP or another mental health professional.

Social Workers
Social workers specialising in mental health provide help, advice and information to you and your family/carers about a range of practical issues including advice on housing and benefits. Social Workers can offer an assessment of needs and refer onto the appropriate service e.g. residential care, day care, day activities, support within the home, financial management, employment advice etc. Social Workers within Community Mental Health Teams may take on the role of Care Co-ordinator.

Some Social Workers are also Approved Social Workers which means that they are qualified to assess whether someone needs to be admitted to hospital compulsorily under the Mental Health Act 1983 .

To request a general social worker, contact social services (general enquiries) on 01733 746000 and ask for the duty officer to arrange an appointment. If you are in contact with the mental health services, to request a mental health social worker, it is easiest to go through your primary nurse if you are in hospital or through the community mental health team if you are at home.

Psychologists
Psychologists help children, adolescents, adults and older people in coping with emotional and behavioural problems, difficult life crises and physical and mental disabilities. They use a variety of therapeutic interventions and methods. They are based with community mental health teams. You would normally be referred by your GP or another health professional.

Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people to learn or relearn skills, and some specialise in working with people with mental health problems. They can help with everyday activities such as planning a return to work, the use of free time and becoming more effective in performing daily tasks. OTs are part of community mental health teams.

Community Support Workers and Health Care Support Workers
Health Care Support Workers work on wards while Community Support Workers work in the community as part of community mental health teams. They are initially unqualified, but will receive in-service training or work for a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). They provide practical advice and ongoing support.

Psychotherapists and Counsellors
The distinction between Psychotherapists and Counsellors is not a clear one. Psychotherapists have sometimes had a primary training in one of the above professions and in addition will have received specialist psychotherapy training. They can help people to be more in control of their own lives by exploring emotional difficulties and helping them to understand themselves and their relationships with others. Psychotherapy can be both long and short term, although there is a tendency for more short-term psychotherapy to be available, especially on the NHS. Psychotherapists treat individuals, couples and families. They may have expertise in a particular form of psychotherapy, for example Psychodynamic Therapy or Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy

Although Counsellors may also focus on an individual’s means of coping with life, they often specialise in specific problems such as bereavement or loss of employment. Referrals to a Psychotherapist or Counsellor can be made through your GP or through other professional workers. Many counsellors take self-referrals and work privately. Several GP practices have Counsellors attached to the practice and you may be able to have six counselling sessions free on the NHS.

Art, Drama and Music Therapists
The value of the arts in helping someone work through and recover from a mental health problem is being increasingly recognised in the mental health service. You will often find trained Therapists attached to Psychiatric Hospitals and Day Centres.

Speech Therapists
Speech Therapists are specially trained to help people to combat voice disorders such as stammering, and to develop their social skills and their comprehension and expression of language.