| Degree | Occupation | Training | Focus | Prescribes Medications |
| Medical Doctor, MD | Psychiatrist | Medical school and residency training in psychiatry | Treatment of psychological disorders; may include research focus | Yes |
| Doctor of Philosophy, PhD | Clinical or Counseling Psychologist | Graduate school; includes dissertation and internship | Research-oriented and clinical practice | Varies by state |
| Doctor of Psychology, PsyD | Clinical or Counseling Psychologist | Graduate school; includes internship; may include dissertation | Focus on professional practice | Varies by state |
| Master’s Degree, MA or MS | Mental Health Counselor | Graduate school; includes internship | Focus on professional practice | No |
| Mental health professionals come from a variety of backgrounds. Here, we present a handful of these, including general information on training, focus, and whether the training includes licensing to prescribe medication for psychological disorders. |