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How to Choose the Right Professional For You: Counselor, Psychologist and Therapist Explained

When you begin your search and decide to move forward professional help it can become very overwhelming quickly. Deciding to engage with a mental health professional is already a difficult conclusion for some, and finding your perfect match within the field can feel overly complex. Counselors, Psychologists, and Therapists alike may seem to be offering the same practices with slightly different titles, so how do you choose who is the right fit for you?

First, it is important to note that Counselors, Psychologists, and Therapists all require a Bachelor’s degree or hire to earn these titles. Consulting a YouTube or Instagram life coach is not the same as engaging with an individual who has years of education on the human psyche. You want to find someone who has been through the necessary schooling and has a practice you can trust. A common misconception about participating in therapy is that it is all the same, but that is not true at all. Each practice brings in different methods and exercises, and some may not work for everybody. The work these professionals do is dedicated to improving your individual mental and physical wellbeing. Mental health experts can seem intimidating because of the intimate nature of their practice, but their priority is making the experience as positive for you as possible.

Second, I suggest looking into the kind of treatment you want rather than the degree or title a specialist has. Finding the right professional for you is all about your individual needs and goals for therapy, and that is not necessarily the person who has attained the highest degree. Being informed about the differences in treatment makes the search less intimidating. The two primary treatment paths are:

Counseling

This is usually short-term treatment that is focused on dealing with specific issues. For example, addiction, anger management, anxiety or stress, coping with loss, etc. are topics typically addressed during counseling sessions. If the treatment you are looking for is specific and short-term– counseling may be a right choice for you. Counselors typically have a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling (or related fields) and then specialize in a particular area. For instance, there are marriage counselors, school counselors, etc. The goal for counseling to acquire specialized techniques for managing similar difficulties in the future rather than recurring meetings and check ins. Counseling sessions are typically for 50 minutes once a week.

Psychotherapy

This method is usually long-term and focused on coping with a broad range of struggles. The idea behind therapy is that there are patterns of thinking and behaving that directly affect the way you interact with the world. The goal then becomes to change these inherent patterns that have been establishing themselves throughout the years to better understand yourself, build healthy and stable relationships, and eliminate patterns that hold you back. Psychotherapy also addresses the way mental illnesses can affect an individual’s life and help them find techniques to manage symptoms. There are several different approaches within psychotherapy, such as: cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal, dialectical behavior, psychodynamic, psychoanalysis, and supportive therapy. Psychotherapists may combine these different approaches to support your particular needs. Ultimately, they will gear the experience and practice towards you as an individual, but are able to pull from a variety of methods for more effective, long-term results.

Now that you are able to decide which type of treatment is right for you, let’s take a closer look at the specialists.

Understand the Rhetoric: Who is who?

Licensed Mental Health Counselors

These are professionals, who have attained a Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling, or related fields. To become licensed, counselors have to complete an additional two years of experience working with a qualified mental health professional. Once they attain this license, Counselors are qualified to provide you with mental health evaluations and treatments. They may offer practices in counseling and psychotherapy.

Psychologists

These individuals are professionals that hold a Doctoral Degree in Psychology (PhD, PsyD, EdD) and have completed a 2-3 year internship in their field (usually focused on mental health treatment methods and different methods of therapy). Typically, Psychologists go through more training than Counselors and may have a deeper understanding of certain methods/practices because it is more specialized. Psychologists offer counseling and psychotherapy practices.

Therapists

This is a term that includes all licensed specialists who can practice psychotherapy. This means that Counselors and Psychologists (after achieving their licenses) are considered therapists. Therapists work with you to change, understand, and implement patterns in your routine to achieve your personal health goals.

Another important distinction is that none of these specialists are permitted to prescribe any sort of medication. If a specialist believes you would benefit from medical treatment, they must consult a Psychiatrist or doctor who is licensed to prescribe. If any of these individuals are trying to prescribe you any sort of medication, this is a red flag and should be reported. While making these decisions to improve your mental health, I suggest looking into some holistic practices such as: meditating, practicing mindfulness, and many others. Taking your mental health into your own hands can be as personal or as involved as you would like. There are no right or wrong options in receiving help, just different paths for each individual.

Hopefully, you now feel empowered to go into your search informed and find the right mental health professional for you. It is important to remember that since therapy by nature is very personal and intimate, you ultimately have to be comfortable with whichever specialist you choose to move forward with. While the education level of a specialist is an important consideration, studies show that being able to engage in a meaningful conversation and create a therapeutic alliance is much more important in achieving a positive treatment experience. Your mental health and wellbeing is just as important as your physical health, so treat it the same. With so many options available, you will be able to find someone who you can trust and work with to achieve your mental health goals.

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