April,
To get to the point of your question see below:
Psychologist
A doctoral degree which means a minimum of four years of graduate training beyond the bachelors degree is required in most states, as well as one year of internship and at least one year of post-graduate residency. Typically psychologists complete core coursework in therapy, assessment, and research and are required to pass competency exams and complete a dissertation prior to receiving their degree.
To be licensed, psychologists must pass a national and state examination. Some states grant different licenses for school, counseling, and clinical psychologists. School psychologists usually work in
educational settings and specialize in working with and providing assessment to children and their families. Counseling psychologists typically work with individuals dealing with transitional and developmental problems, career issues, and mental health problems of less severe psychopathology. Clinical psychologists are trained to work with all mental health issues but may have more training with more severe psychopathology and less with developmental and career issues. Most states license counseling and clinical psychologists under the general term 'psychologist' and the scope of treatment overlaps much more than it has in the past.
Psychologists treat all forms of mental illness although specialties are not uncommon. Specialties include children, adolescents, adults, geriatric, forensic, neuropsychology, and health psychology. All psychologists are trained as generalists but may have one or more specialties depending on their training and experience.
Social Worker
Social workers must hold a bachelors degree in social work although many complete a Master's program (two years beyond their bachelor degree) leading to the Master of Social Work degree. Social workers are often referred to as the liaison between the patient or client and the community.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (1998-1999), "Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help people. Social workers help people deal with their relationships with others; solve their personal, family, and community problems; and grow and develop as they learn to cope with or shape the social and environmental forces affecting daily life. Social workers often encounter clients facing a life-threatening disease or a social problem requiring a quick solution. These situations may include inadequate housing, unemployment, lack of job skills, financial distress, serious illness or disability, substance abuse, unwanted pregnancy, or antisocial behavior. They also assist families that have serious conflicts, including those involving child or spousal abuse."
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors typically have a Masters degree in psychology, social work, counseling, mental health counseling or related field and pass a state exam in order to be licensed. Mental health counselors can practice independently in some states, although most are employed in clinics and hospitals. They perform individual, couples/family, and group therapy, and may assist psychologists with testing and other forms of treatment.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Like mental health counselors, a Master's degree is typically the minimal requirement for marriage and family therapists. They receive special training in the dynamics of families and relationships and often treat couples who are having marital or relationship difficulties and families struggling with dysfunctional interactions. Many marriage and family therapists are provided more general training, allowing them to perform individual and group therapy as well for a variety of mental health related issues.
So my question is what exactly is the person claiming to be a licensed prfessional counselor? Professional in what way?
Psychologist or LCSW? (licensed social worker). Personally,
if I need counselling or therapy with meds, I would only go to
a psychologist, who is professional and can help with various types
of talking counselling or a pshychiatrist because they are also
professionals who can prescribe medications if needed.
Most people who seek help, in my opinion, should be going to a
psychologist or psychiatrist. I have been to both at different times
in my life.
I hope this has helped. I will be thinking of you and hoping you
get the help you desire.
Limo
Answered By: Limo - 9/11/2008 |