How can you decide which type of mental health professional is best for you? For example, what’s the difference between a psychotherapist vs. a psychologist?
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What Is Psychotherapy?
Before we compare psychotherapist vs. psychologists, let’s step back for a moment and discuss a word that is integral to both professions: psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy is the formal term for talk therapy.
It can apply to individual, group, and family sessions where the primary activities are speaking and listening, and it is frequently used to help people who have been struggling with addictions, mental health concerns, and various emotional challenges.
The general category of psychotherapy includes several distinct approaches or modalities, such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and address maladaptive thought patterns and self-defeating behaviors
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which focuses on skills development in the areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which helps people accept the validity of their emotions and commit to acting in a manner that aligns with their core values
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which is designed to alleviate the emotional distress that people experience when they recall certain traumatic memories.
- Integrative therapy, which employs practices and principles from multiple approaches
Sometimes, psychotherapeutic principles are combined with more dynamic, hands-on activities. Examples of these combinations, which are often referred to as experiential therapies, can include:
- Animal-assisted therapy, which may pair participants with horses, dogs, or other animals
- Music therapy, which can include playing instruments, singing, or listening to music
- Psychodrama, which is a therapeutic form of role-playing
- Art therapy, which can involve drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture
- Play therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for children
Comparing Psychotherapists vs. Psychologists
Now that we’ve addressed some important features of psychotherapy, let’s turn our attention toward the people who provide these services.
What Is A Psychotherapist
As with psychotherapy, the word “psychotherapist” doesn’t only have one application. Instead, it is a general term that can apply to any mental health provider who is licensed to lead psychotherapy sessions.
Examples of the many professionals who can be described as psychotherapists include:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
The licensure and accreditation requirements for psychotherapists vary among the different roles, and can also differ from state to state. Typically, though, a person must have at least a master’s degree in a relevant field, complete a predetermined number of supervised clinical hours, and pass some type of examination.
Psychotherapists often choose to specialize in a specific modality (such as CBT and DBT). Many also opt to focus on a certain patient population (such as children, couples, or people who have struggled with addiction). However, neither of these are requirements.
All that matters from a professional standpoint is that psychotherapists do not attempt to treat clients whose needs fall outside their scope of expertise. When a client exhibits needs that they are not qualified to effectively address, psychotherapists are ethically obligated to refer them to a more appropriate treatment provider.
What Is A Psychologist?
Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that psychologist was listed as a type of psychotherapist in the previous section. This wasn’t a typo or an oversight. A psychologist is a specific type of psychotherapist.
As is also the case with other types of psychotherapists, the requirements for becoming a psychologist can differ from one state to the next. Since Valor Behavioral Health is located in Atlanta, we’ll review the requirements for Georgia.
According to the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA) a person who wishes to become a licensed psychologist in this state must:
- Earn a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD)
- Complete 800 hours of direct contact with clients while in graduate school, as well as a one-year, 2,000-hour internship prior to earning their doctorate
- Complete an additional 1,500 hours of supervised training after graduating with their PhD, PsyD, or EdD
- Pass three written exams:
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) Part 1: Knowledge
- EPPP Part 2: Skills
- Georgia Psychology Jurisprudence (Laws & Rules) Examination
- Pass an oral examination conducted by the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
- Pass a criminal background check
Also, psychologists in Georgia must complete at least 40 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their license.
Who Do Psychotherapists and Psychologists Treat?
Psychotherapists and psychologists can both treat children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Many people seek the services of these professionals for help managing the symptoms of mental health disorders such as:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Substance use disorders (addictions)
A person doesn’t need to have a diagnosed mental health disorder to be treated by either a psychotherapist or a psychologist. Other concerns that they can help with include:
- Grief and loss
- Anger management
- Coping with stress
- Child behavior problems
- Relationship difficulties
- Self-harm
- Thoughts of suicide
What’s the Difference Between a Psychotherapist vs. a Psychologist?
Throughout today’s post, we’ve indirectly addressed a few differences between psychotherapists vs. psychologists. Here’s a quick summary of the key differentiators between these two professional descriptions:
- Scope – Psychotherapist is an umbrella term that can be applied to several types of mental health professionals. Psychologist refers to a specific type of psychotherapist.
- Education – To become a psychologist, a person must first earn either a PhD, PsyD, or EdD. For most other types of psychotherapist, the minimum educational requirement is a master’s degree.
- Services – By definition, psychotherapists provide psychotherapy. While most psychologists also offer this service, some instead focus on research, education, or forensic psychology. Also, psychologists may have more expertise in testing and diagnostics.
Find Mental Health Help in Atlanta Today
If you’re seeking psychotherapy for an addiction or a mental health concern in the Atlanta metro area, Valor Behavioral Health is here for you.
Treatment options at our center in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), a virtual (online) IOP, and an adolescent program. A member of our team will be happy to discuss the features and benefits of each of these options with you, so you can make the most informed choice for yourself or a loved one.
To learn more about how we can help or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
