Crendentials and Degrees: the Difference

 

What do a therapist's credentials mean to you?

What degrees and licenses mean

You can divide credentials up into degrees, and licenses.

A degree is earned from a university or college.  A license is granted by the state and entitles the licensee to practice their profession in that state only, according to the state's regulations.  Common licenses include LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), and LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).

Many states require a licensed professional to have earned a degree in order to get a license. This is often a masters degree, for instance a Masters in Social Work or a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling.
Most therapists have a masters-level degree. Some have a Doctorate-level degree.

Therapists often hold a Masters degree -- frequently an MA, MFC, MSW, or MS.  Therapists often hold a doctorate degree -- frequently a PhD.

Therapists with masters degrees

A Masters level degree means the therapist has a Bachelors degree and then has gone on and done two years of additional post-graduate education.

Common examples include a therapist who is a marriage counselor, who often has a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling (called an MFC), and a social worker, who often has a MSW, or Masters in Social Work.

Therapists with doctorates -- psychologists

A Doctorate degree means that the therapist has a Bachelor's degree and then has gone on and done a more rigorous four years of additional post-graduate education.

A Doctorate is most often a PhD although there are some others. A Doctorate degree lets the therapist be called "Doctor So-and-so" and also entitles the therapist to hold herself out as a psychologist.

So when you hear a therapist say she is a psychologist, you know she has a Doctorate degree, typically a PhD. or a PsyD.

MDs, medical doctors and psychiatrists

One more degree to be aware of is the MD. An MD has gone through four years of medical school after attending college. Some of them will become board certified in psychiatry and will call themselves psychiatrists.

MDs often are called in to prescribe medication because in most states, only MDs can prescribe medication.

Some MDs also do therapy.

Types of therapists
Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
Marital and family therapist
Mental Health Counselor
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Social worker

What's the difference between marriage counselors and social workers?

Marriage counselors and social workers generally need to have a Masters degree and are licensed to provide therapy by their state.

Marriage counselors typically work with couples, married or not, while social workers often work with a variety of situations that might include couples and marriage counseling, counseling in adoption situations, children who are delinquent or addicted to drugs, adults or children with bipolar disorders, etc.

The other differences are often in the quantity of hours of clinical training that each has completed. Some states require a marriage counselor to have 1000 hours of supervised therapy, while social workers must complete 3000 hours of supervised therapy, but this varies by state.

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How do I list my practice with Find-a-Therapist.com?

 

 If you are a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, marriage and family therapist or counselor you are invited to add your information to add your information to our Directory.

To list your practice, use this link: http://www.find-a-therapist.com/listpractice.html This takes you to our payment center where you can view the types of listings we offer and the prices. Email your questions to info@find-a-therapist.com or call us at 1-866-450-3463.

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What Do The Therapists' Credentials Mean?

 

The Credentials

Therapists and psychologists and counselors have a range of credentials and licenses. Here are a few you may come across when seeking the right professional in the Find-a-Therapist.com Therapy Directory.

Academic Degrees

Ph.D.
Doctor of philosophy. This academic degree is earned in four to seven years. Many psychologists, therapists, counselors and coaches hold a doctorate of philosophy. A Ph.D. in psychology teaches theory as well as statistics and data gathering. Many Ph.D.s go on to work in academic settings, as researchers and professors. Psychologists with a Ph.D. are also fully trained in the assessment and treatment of all behavioral conditions, from anxiety and depression to anger and resentment. (American Psychological Association)

Psy.D.
Doctor of psychology. The Psy.D. is a terminal degree, like a Ph.D. However, the Psy.D. focuses on therapy and counseling rather than research. The degree was developed in the late 1960s to address the need for practitioners. In the last 30 years, the Psy.D. has become increasingly popular. (American Psychological Association)

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What does the 'verified' image by the therapist' license number mean?

 

The information in the find-a-Therapist.com Directory is provided exclusively by participating therapists. When you see this seal, it means Find-a-Therapist.com has verified the following:

 The name and contact details of the professional
 That the professional's license, if applicable, is valid within the state in which he or she practices 
 That the professional is not subject to any license strictures preventing practice

Find-a-Therapist.com verifies the information at the time a therapist is initially listed in the Directory and then annually thereafter.

If you find any of the information in the Directory to be inaccurate in any way, please tell us by emailing: info@find-a-therapist.com

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