| Clinical psychologist | Holds an academic doctorate (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) and is required to be licensed to practice. Assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Has expertise in psychological testing and evaluation, diagnosis, psychotherapy, research, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. May work in private practice, hospitals, or community mental health centers. |
| Counseling psychologist | Holds an academic doctorate and must be licensed to practice. Assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral problems and disorders, but usually disorders that are of lesser severity. The distinction between clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists, however, has decreased over the years. |
| Psychiatrist | Holds a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) and is required to be licensed to practice. Has expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Often has training in psychotherapy. May prescribe medications, electroconvulsive therapy, or other medical procedures. |
| Psychoanalyst | Usually a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who has received additional training in the specific techniques of psychoanalysis, the form of psychotherapy originated by Sigmund Freud. |
| Licensed professional counselor | Holds at least a master’s degree in counseling, with extensive supervised training in assessment, counseling, and therapy techniques. May be certified in specialty areas. Most states require licensure or certification. |
| Psychiatric social worker | Holds a master’s degree in social work (M.S.W.). Training includes an internship in a social service agency or mental health center. Most states require certification or licensing. May or may not have training in psychotherapy. |
| Marriage and family therapist | Usually holds a master’s degree, with extensive supervised experience in couple or family therapy. May also have training in individual therapy. Many states require licensing. |
| Psychiatric nurse | Holds an R.N. degree and has selected psychiatry or mental health nursing as a specialty area. Typically works in a hospital psychiatric unit or in a community mental health center. May or may not have training in psychotherapy. |