A Psychiatrist (MD) is a medical doctor that has done a residences with a psychiatric unit and has expertise in prescribing psychotropic medications. Medications meant to balance the brain chemistry to relieve depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Typically they do not do counseling therapy.
A Psychologist (PhD - PsyD) has a Masters degree in Psychology or Counseling and then completes a 2 year degree with internships. A psychologist typically does psychometric testing to determine a psychological diagnosis. This may include personality testing, cognitive (thinking skills) testing, memory, planning, reasoning, visual and auditory testing for example. Some do counseling but most are more focused on diagnosing than treatment.
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) has a Masters degree, 2 years of study and internships beyond a 4 year Bachelors degree. An LPC typically provides counseling therapy. Talk therapy and utilizing other modalities, such as behavioral, journaling, support, substance abuse treatment, talk-therapy, hypnosis, breath work, tapping, step programs support and more. They may work as school counselors, case managers for medical case management, discharge planners, independent psychotherapists in private practice or for agencies and hospitals. They may specialize in Marriage and Family counseling (MFT).
Social Workers (MSW, CSW) are similar to Licensed Professional Counselors in education and providing counseling therapy services. They may also work for adoption and foster care agencies.
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