What kinds of professionals provide psychotherapy and mental health services?
Psychologists: While the field of psychology includes many specialties, those psychologists who conduct psychotherapy and work with individuals, groups, or families to resolve problems are generally called clinical psychologists, or counseling psychologists. In most states, a licensed psychologist has completed a doctoral degree from a program with specialized training and experience requirements in psychotherapy, has then completed a course of closely supervised experience and then has successfully completed a professional licensure examination. Psychiatrists: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who is licensed to practice medicine and has completed specialty training in psychiatry. Social Workers: A social worker has a master’s degree in social work and has completed field placement programs designed to train them in basic techniques. Psychiatric Nurses: Psychiatric nurses are registered nurses who have advanced academic degrees at the master’s degree level or above. They have special
