Difference between a therapist and counseling psychologist?

Question

I am a third year psychology major. If I recieve my MSW (master of social work) or a master's in psychology I can become a liscensed therapist. If I recieve my Ph.D in psychology I can become a counseling psychologist. What is the difference in the two besides the amount of education? Specifically what is a psychologist able to do that a therapist cannot?

Answer 1

A therapist is an umbrella term that covers almost everyone that can see clients in the mental health field.

A Maters of Social Work (plus intern hours in most states) will allow you to become licensed as a social worker to see clients (do therapy).
With a masters in psychology, counseling, or marriage & family therapy and social work you can become licensed as a counselor or marriage & family therapist.
A masters in psychology would also allow you to become a LPA (Licensed psychological associate) but this license alone requires you to work under a PhD psychologist.

A PhD. in psychology will allow you to become a licensed psychologist (there are exams for all of these licenses).
A psychologist can give and interpret projective test instruments (like ink blot tests). The diiference in your scope of practice differs state to state.

NOTE: Many states have organizations pushing to let master level psychologist practice privately. Texas has passed this into law but the board has not yet written the specific regulations.
FYI: New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arizona now allow psychologist with additional education and supervision (for about 3 years) under a M.D. prescribe medications (like prozac and other psychotropic medications)

Michael John Weaver, M.S.

p.s. please e-mail if I can be of any further assistance.

Answer 2

Counselling psychologist isn't a major, you have to have a PhD to call yourself that. Therapist is a generic term- could be an MA or a PhD. You pretty much need at least a masters to be a therapist. The best paid route is a PhD (college plus five years, super hard to get in), followed by an MSW (college plus two years), followed by an MA (college plus two years).

Answer 3

I can't answer that detail, but I can tell you that the higher level of education you achieve, the greater the control over your career you have. If you don't get a good answer here, ask your academic counselor at school. And your professors. Try also your state licensing boards -that's probably the most accurate, actually.

Answer 4

Basically it's a difference of whether you can hang a shingle out yourself or have to practice under someone else.

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This is straight out of the Occupational Outlook Handbook:

"A doctoral degree usually is required for employment as an independent licensed clinical or counseling psychologist. Psychologists with a Ph.D. qualify for a wide range of teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in universities, health care services, elementary and secondary schools, private industry, and government. Psychologists with a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree usually work in clinical positions or in private practices, but they also sometime teach, conduct research, or carry out administrative responsibilities.

A doctoral degree generally requires 5 to 7 years of graduate study. The Ph.D. degree culminates in a dissertation based on original research. Courses in quantitative research methods, which include the use of computer-based analysis, are an integral part of graduate study and are necessary to complete the dissertation. The Psy.D. may be based on practical work and examinations rather than a dissertation. In clinical or counseling psychology, the requirements for the doctoral degree include at least a 1-year internship.

A specialist degree is required in most States for an individual to work as a school psychologist, although a few States still credential school psychologists with master’s degrees. A specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology requires a minimum of 3 years of full-time graduate study (at least 60 graduate semester hours) and a 1-year internship. Because their professional practice addresses educational and mental health components of students’ development, school psychologists’ training includes coursework in both education and psychology.

Persons with a master’s degree in psychology may work as industrial-organizational psychologists. They also may work as psychological assistants under the supervision of doctoral-level psychologists and may conduct research or psychological evaluations. A master’s degree in psychology requires at least 2 years of full-time graduate study. Requirements usually include practical experience in an applied setting and a master’s thesis based on an original research project.

Competition for admission to graduate psychology programs is keen. Some universities require applicants to have an undergraduate major in psychology. Others prefer only coursework in basic psychology with courses in the biological, physical, and social sciences and in statistics and mathematics.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology qualifies a person to assist psychologists and other professionals in community mental health centers, vocational rehabilitation offices, and correctional programs. Bachelor’s degree holders may work as research or administrative assistants for psychologists. Some work as technicians in related fields, such as marketing research. Many find employment in other areas, such as sales or business management.

In the Federal Government, candidates having at least 24 semester hours in psychology and one course in statistics qualify for entry-level positions. However, competition for these jobs is keen because this is one of the few areas in which one can work as a psychologist without an advanced degree.

The American Psychological Association (APA) presently accredits doctoral training programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, as well as accrediting institutions that provide internships for doctoral students in school, clinical, and counseling psychology. The National Association of School Psychologists, with the assistance of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, also is involved in the accreditation of advanced degree programs in school psychology.

Psychologists in independent practice or those who offer any type of patient care—including clinical, counseling, and school psychologists—must meet certification or licensing requirements in all States and the District of Columbia. Licensing laws vary by State and by type of position and require licensed or certified psychologists to limit their practice to areas in which they have developed professional competence through training and experience. Clinical and counseling psychologists usually require a doctorate in psychology, the completion of an approved internship, and 1 to 2 years of professional experience. In addition, all States require that applicants pass an examination. Most State licensing boards administer a standardized test, and many supplement that with additional oral or essay questions. Some States require continuing education for renewal of the license.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) awards the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) designation, which recognizes professional competency in school psychology at a national, rather than State, level. Currently, 26 States recognize the NCSP and allow those with the certification to transfer credentials from one State to another without taking a new certification exam. In States that recognize the NCSP, the requirements for certification or licensure and those for the NCSP often are the same or similar. Requirements for the NCSP include the completion of 60 graduate semester hours in school psychology; a 1,200-hour internship, 600 hours of which must be completed in a school setting; and a passing score on the National School Psychology Examination.

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) recognizes professional achievement by awarding specialty certification, primarily in clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and counseling, forensic, industrial-organizational, and school psychology. Candidates for ABPP certification need a doctorate in psychology, postdoctoral training in their specialty, five years of experience, professional endorsements, and a passing grade on an examination.

Aspiring psychologists who are interested in direct patient care must be emotionally stable, mature, and able to deal effectively with people. Sensitivity, compassion, good communication skills, and the ability to lead and inspire others are particularly important qualities for persons wishing to do clinical work and counseling. Research psychologists should be able to do detailed work both independently and as part of a team. Patience and perseverance are vital qualities, because achieving results in the psychological treatment of patients or in research may take a long time."