Therapist vs. Psychologist: What’s The Difference?

The word “therapist” is a bit of a catch-all. “A therapist is a generic term for any professional who is trained to provide treatment for people to improve some aspect of their health or mental health,” says Simon Rego, Psy.D., chief of psychology at Montefiore Medical Center and associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. “For example, there are physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and psychotherapists.”

A psychotherapist, more specifically, is a mental health professional who can fall into a few categories, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), including (but not limited to):

• Licensed professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors
• Someone without licenses who may hold a related master’s degree or simply have recovered from a mental disorder and are coaching others based on their personal experience

“The term ‘psychotherapist’ can refer to anyone who uses talk therapy in an attempt to treat people for their emotional problems,” says Rego.

A clinical or counseling psychologist is a mental health professional who attended graduate school and earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or counseling psychology, as required by the American Psychological Association (APA). These degrees—either a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or doctor of psychology (Psy.D.)—are followed by a clinical internship, according to Rego, which is then followed by passing national and state exams and, finally, licensure by state. If a person earned a Ph.D. or Psy. D. and completed clinical rotations but was not licensed by a state psychological board, they cannot practice as clinicians to evaluate or treat patients, although they can use the more generic “psychologist” title in other professional settings, such as research or teaching.

“It’s important to remember, however, that not all psychologists are experienced therapists,” adds Rego. “Many specialize in areas like research or teaching and may have very little experience treating people.”

Note that a clinical or counseling psychologist also differs from a psychiatrist, who attended medical school, earned a doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree and completed a residency in psychiatry. This distinction is what allows them to prescribe medications. Most psychiatrists do not specialize in psychotherapy; therefore, they work in partnership with clinical psychologists and psychotherapists to form a comprehensive treatment team to help individuals achieve their goals in mental health.

While a clinical or counseling psychologist is a type of psychotherapist, a psychotherapist is not necessarily a psychologist. While psychiatrists earn a medical doctor degree and psychologists earn a specific doctoral degree, psychotherapists who earn a master’s degree can become a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed social worker (LCSW) or licensed professional counselor (LPC), explains Ashley C. Kennedy, a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles.

“They can work with individuals, families and couples and are generally focused on the relationships that constitute people’s lives,” says Kennedy. “They work in private practices, social service agencies and hospitals.”

Psychologists also use many of the same methods as the therapists listed above; however, Kennedy notes that they can also focus on research and work in academic, government or clinical health care settings. “Their expertise is more in-depth in regard to severe mental health disorders, [and] clinical psychologists who develop a specialty in neuropsychological evaluations can also provide diagnostic assessment and testing,” she adds.

Similarities: Therapist vs. Psychologist

• Both can help bolster mental and emotional well-being
• Both can diagnose mental health issues
• Both can provide treatment and tactics to overcome mental health or behavioral struggles
• Each must have state-certified licensing  
• In most states, neither can prescribe medication for clients or patients

Differences: Therapist vs. Psychologist

• Psychologists attended graduate school and earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or counseling psychology
• Not all psychologists are experienced therapists, as some pursue teaching or research
• All psychologists can be referred to as therapists, but all therapists are not psychologists

When looking for any type of psychotherapist, ask for their credentials. This information is important based on the type of treatment you’re looking for because, as you can see, not all psychotherapists hold the same expertise in the same specialties. What’s more, most do not prescribe medications. Medication consults and management are typically reserved for psychiatrists and, in certain states, clinical psychologists where laws allow them to complete additional training and certification requirements in order to prescribe.

The most important considerations in choosing a mental health professional to work with is the person’s educational background, proper licenses and clinical experience to provide you with safe and effective care.

“Both clinical and counseling psychologists and psychotherapists have had the training to help people sort out their lives and move toward the best paths for their futures,” says Kennedy. “Psychotherapists can be supportive in helping people find clarity and more fulfillment in their lives while strengthening their interpersonal skills and their relationships. Clinical and Counseling psychologists are also adept in those areas, but some who choose to specialize further can test, diagnose and treat acute mental illnesses that stretch beyond general life issues as well.”

Cost of Therapists Vs. Psychologists

How much you’ll pay for a visit to a therapist or psychologist hinges on a multitude of factors, such as:

• Where you live
• Whether you visit a private practice (which might charge higher fees)
• Whether you access services at community clinics, group therapy sessions or through an online app (where you’ll often pay less)
• Whether your provider offers a sliding payment scale determined by your income (most do)
• Whether a practitioner accepts your specific insurance

There are no hard and fast rules regarding how much you can expect to pay for mental health services, so it’s always smart to get cost structure clarity before selecting a provider.