Types of therapists

From Conservapedia

There are many different levels of training and school involved in qualifying to work in the metal health field. These levels define the types of therapy a provider is allowed to engage in. It should be noted that the term "therapist" is not exclusive to any one of the fields of psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry, social work and mental health nursing.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of mental health problems.^[1]

• Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and emotional disorders.^[2] As Medical Doctors they are permitted to prescribe drugs to treat problems when appropriate. It should be noted that not all psychotherapists are psychiatrists, and not all psychiatrists are psychotherapists.

A psychologist has a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)^[3] degree.

• Not only does the field of psychology use research to assess the effectiveness of various forms of treatment, but also any particular psychologist trained in research should have acquired some solid skills useful for analyzing information and drawing conclusions in psychotherapy sessions.^[4] It should be noted that not all psychotherapists are psychologists, and not all psychologists are psychotherapists.

A person with an MSW (Master of Social Work) may have a graduate degree in methods of talk therapy, and this qualification is a minimum requirement in some states to provide mental health support. They may, however, be much more specialized in forms of therapy or problems addressed than a psychologist. It should be noted that not all psychotherapists are social workers, and not all social workers are psychotherapists.

Notes

1. ↑ Degrees in Psychology: How are a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist Different?. Retrieved on 2007-04-30. “a psychiatrist specializes in the medical treatment of biological problems in the brain. Because early practitioners of psychology were all psychiatrists, that is, medical doctors, people confuse today's psychologists (who primarily do therapy) with today's psychiatrists (who primarily prescribe medication).”
2. ↑ [1]
3. ↑ Appreciating the PsyD: The Facts. Accessed April 30, 2007.
4. ↑ Psychology and Psychiatry (and Psychoanalysis). Accessed April 30, 2007.

External links

• Degrees for Your Characters - Fiction writer's guide which distinguishes between psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, and counselor.