The Professionals

The mental health world has many types of professionals, each with different training, different qualifications, and a different approach. Licenses may be important if you're looking for a therapist who can prescribe medication or who is expert in a particular problem like drug addiction. But in general, good therapy is more about finding a therapist who works well with you. Because most of us aren't quite clear on the differences between psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and coaches, here's a rough field guide:

Counselor
Counselors have a master's level degree in a field such as counseling, psychology, or substance abuse treatment, and generally must complete two years of supervised practice before obtaining a license. Like social workers, they work in private practice as well as in schools and hospitals. They often treat people dealing with problems such as alcoholism, addiction or eating disorders, usually for short periods of time. Some specialize in a certain area such as marriage, family and child counseling. (American Counseling Association)

Life Coach
Life coaching is a popular new profession that has no specific licensing or academic requirements. Although many psychologists also consider themselves life coaches, these therapists don't focus on treating mental illness. Instead, they help healthy people realize their goals in work, family and life. Executive coaches, for example, may be enlisted to help a chief executive become a better manager. Some associations are in the process of establishing professional guidelines for life coaches. (Association of Coach Training Organizations)

Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists, (L.M.F.T.s), receive master's or doctoral degrees specializing in family and interpersonal dynamics. They treat individuals in the context of family relationships, addressing issues from anger and resentment to intimacy and communication skills. Treatment with a marriage and family therapist is typically brief (20 sessions or less) and solution-focused. Since 1970, the number of practitioners has increased substantially, and the number of states licensing marriage and family therapists. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of specialized mental health training. Psychiatrists treat the full range of emotional and mental disorders, and are licensed to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists sometimes use psychotropic medication in conjunction with therapy to treat psychiatric disorders. (American Psychiatric Association)

Psychoanalyst
Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy based on the theories of Freud and his successors, wherein the patient explores his or her patterns of thinking and behavior--often originating in various childhood developmental phases--through free-association and identification with the analyst. A certified psychoanalyst earns a postgraduate degree in psychology or psychiatry and then spends an additional eight to ten years of training in psychoanalysis, which includes undergoing analysis themselves. Psychoanalysts treat patients intensively--treatment lasts for five to ten years on average, with at least three or four sessions per week. (American Psychoanalytic Association)

Psychologist
Psychology has two doctoral degrees: a Ph.D., a doctor of philosophy, or a Psy.D., doctor of psychology. Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology emphasize theory and research methods and prepare students for either academic work or careers as practitioners. The Psy.D., which was created in the late 1960s to address a shortage of practitioners, emphasizes training in therapy and counseling. Psychologists with either degree can practice therapy but are required to complete several years of supervised practice before becoming licensed. (American Psychological Association)

Social Worker
Social workers commonly hold a master of social work degree, or M.S.W., and have completed two years of supervised practice in order to obtain their clinical licenses. While many work in private practice, social workers often work in schools, community clinics and government agencies. (National Association of Social Workers)