Why do the difference licenses matter (or don’t)?

To clinicians the differences between the various mental health licenses can be astronomnical, to most people outside of profession, you likely dont know much about the differences, you just want to know who can help you. To have a clear break down for who you would most likely run into in regards to mental health professionals you have the following titles: Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP), Social Worker (LCSW and LMSW), Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Pastoral Counselors, Life Coaches, and Drug and Alcohol Counselors. 

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who did their speciality in psychiatric medication. They can potentially provide very brief talk therapy but their main education is in working out the medication that will help reduce the symptoms you're experiencing cognitively/neurologically/psychiatrically. 

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners similarly are nurses who have received a masters or doctorate to become a Nurse Practitioner with a speciality in psychiatry and can prescribe medications much like medical doctors, but usually from a more holistic approach. 

Social Workers (MSW’s and LCSW’s) are master or doctorate level clinicians that receive training in a wide array of mental health services including talk therapy, casework, and advocacy. Their clinical approach can vary depending on the theoretical approach they are trained in and/or choose to adhere to, but most are in trained in what is called a systemic approach. 

Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LMHC’s, title varies mildly depending which state of the U.S. you’re in) are masters or doctorate level clinicians who are trained specifically in talk therapy. Their clinical approach can vary depending on the theoretical approach they are trained in and/or choose to adhere to. 

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT’s) are masters level clinicians who are trained specifically with the specialty of doing talk therapy for couples and family units, with a focus on family dynamics. While it is possible MFT’s may do individual counseling, they’re more often seeing a couple or the whole family unit as part of their therapeutic approach. 

Drug and Alcohol Counselors are certified or licensed mental health professionals specifically trained in treating addiction. Their education and experience requirements vary pending on the state they are practicing in. 

Pastoral Counselors are trained specifically in spiritual counseling, whether that be in relation to a specific religion or a more generalized spiritual approach. Pastoral Counselors may be your local religious leader or in some states a mental health clinician of a particular license that has a certification/license in Pastoral counseling. 

Life Coaches are professionals who may or may not have education and/or experience in mental health work. Since they don’t have a state regulated license they are not able to provide mental health counseling but often provide support, accountability, and guidance in particular areas. 

All of these professionals who do provide talk therapy can be trained in a variety of theoretical and modality approaches: Gestalt, Psychodynamic, Existential, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Art and Music Therapy, etc. While all of the modalities have efficacy and specialties where they work best, data shows one of the most important factors in therapy being effective is a strong rapport between the client and the clinician. 

All of that being said to come to the point that regardless of which license or modality you run into, keep in mind on whether this is a clinician and/or approach that you feel comfortable with, and that you feel you can put trust in to help you grow and overcome your struggles.