What is the difference between a therapist and a psychologist: 3 key differences in treatment approach

In the world of mental health, there are various terms and titles that can sometimes cause confusion. Psychologist, therapist, counselor, psychotherapist – these are just some of the titles you may come across when seeking professional help. Meanwhile, the two titles of psychologist and therapist are mistakenly used interchangeably more than others. But are the two really the same? Understanding the difference between a therapist and a psychologist is not just a matter of terminology, but the key to finding the right specialist and the right treatment path for your needs.

Many think these two titles are synonymous, while there are subtle but important differences in their education, scope of activity, and sometimes their therapeutic approach. This article examines the difference between a therapist and a psychologist in a detailed and clear manner and clarifies 3 key differences that will help you make an informed choice.

Difference between psychologist and psychoanalyst: what does each focus on?

Step 1: Open the terms node

The most important thing to understand the difference between a therapist and a psychologist is to know that "therapist" is not a job title or a specific educational qualification, but a general and practical title. Therapist refers to any professional person who is authorized to provide psychotherapy or therapy services.

This broad umbrella can include a variety of professionals with various educations and licenses, including:

Clinical psychologists or counselors
Family and Marriage Counselors (LMFT)
Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
And even psychiatrists (who are doctors but may also do psychotherapy).

Therefore, every psychologist who does psychotherapy is also a therapist, but every therapist is not necessarily a psychologist. This is the first and most basic point in understanding the difference between a therapist and a psychologist.

Who is a psychologist?

Now that we know the position of the therapist, let's see who is called a "psychologist".

Education: Psychologists usually have a master's degree or a specialized doctorate in one of the fields of psychology (such as clinical, health, counseling, educational, cognitive).
Scope of activity: Psychologists' scope of activity is much wider than just providing therapy. They may work in the following fields:
- Psychotherapy: providing treatment services to individuals, couples or families.
- Psychological assessment and diagnosis: administration and interpretation of valid psychological tests (such as intelligence, personality or psychopathology tests).
- Research: conducting scientific research to better understand the human mind and behavior.
- Education: teaching in universities and educational centers.
- Organizational consulting: activities in companies and organizations to improve employee performance.

Thus, a psychologist is an expert with deep scientific knowledge in the field of mind and behavior who can play a variety of roles, one of which (and not necessarily the only role) can be providing psychotherapy (therapy). Understanding this breadth helps to understand the difference between a therapist and a psychologist.

3 key differences that define the difference between a therapist and a psychologist

Now let's go over the three main differences that will help you distinguish and choose:

Difference 1: Educational path and professional license

Psychologist: he has a completely specific and standard educational path (at least a master's degree or a doctorate in psychology) and for clinical practice, he needs to receive a professional qualification license from the country's psychology and counseling system organization.
Therapist: People with different qualifications (counseling, social work, etc.) can be therapists. Each of these professions has its own educational path and licensing requirements. It is important that the person calling himself a therapist has a valid license to provide psychotherapy services in his area of expertise. This difference in the standardization of education is a difference between a therapist and a psychologist that should be noted.

Difference 2: Scope of Services

Psychologist: One of the unique abilities of psychologists (especially those with a doctorate degree) is the ability to perform comprehensive psychological assessments using standardized tests. They can help to accurately diagnose complex disorders.
Therapist: Not all therapists are necessarily qualified or trained to perform all complex psychological tests. Their main focus is more on the healing process. This difference between therapist and psychologist is very important in the field of evaluation.

Difference 3: The main focus of the profession

Psychologist: The profession of psychology is inherently based on science and research. Even psychologists who do clinical work take a scientific approach to problems and use evidence-based treatments. Their scope of work can go beyond treatment.
Therapist: The main and almost exclusive focus of a person known as a therapist is on providing therapeutic services and helping clients to solve their problems.

Feature psychologist therapist The nature of the title A degree-based professional title A functional title based on the provision of therapy services Education At least a master's degree or PhD in psychology variable (psychology, counseling, social work, etc.) license License of the Organization of Psychology (for clinical work) Need a valid license to provide medical services in your specialty Specialized assessment (test) Ability to perform comprehensive psychological tests They are not necessarily qualified to perform all tests Scope of activity Extensive (treatment, research, education, evaluation) Mainly focused on providing psychotherapy.

Which specialization is more suitable for you?

Now that you know the difference between a therapist and a psychologist, how do you find the right specialist for you?

If you need an accurate diagnosis or psychological evaluation (for example, for ADHD, learning disorders, or complex personality problems), it is best to see a psychologist (especially one with a doctorate) who specializes in evaluation.
If you are seeking treatment for specific problems such as anxiety, depression, obsessions, communication problems or stress management, any qualified therapist (who can be a psychologist, counselor or clinical social worker) can help. In this case, more important than the title is the person's expertise and experience in the field of your problem and his treatment approach.
If you are looking for a deeper and long-term therapeutic process to explore the roots of your problems, a psychologist with a psychodynamic approach or even a psychoanalyst (which goes beyond the discussion of the difference between a therapist and a psychologist and has a separate specialty) may be more suitable for you.

The most important thing is to make sure that the person you choose is professionally qualified and has a valid license.

Finally, the most important difference between a therapist and a psychologist is not summed up in the titles and qualifications, but lies in the expertise, experience and most importantly, the quality of the therapeutic relationship they establish with you. Whether you go to a psychologist or a therapist with other expertise, what is important is to find someone you can trust, feel safe with, and believe that they have the knowledge and skills to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the therapist the same as the psychotherapist?

Yes, in general usage, these two words are almost synonymous. "Therapist" is a more common and informal term for someone who provides psychotherapy. The difference between a therapist and a psychologist is much more prominent than the difference between a therapist and a psychotherapist.

2. Can a psychologist prescribe medicine?

No. Psychologists are not doctors and are not qualified to prescribe medication. Only licensed psychiatrists can prescribe medication for mental health problems.

3. How can I be sure of a person's expertise and license?

You can ask the person himself about his education degree, specialization and activity license number from the Organization of Psychology and Counseling System. You can also inquire about this information through the website of the Organization of Psychology. Checking the qualifications carefully before starting the treatment is very important and helps you to distinguish qualified therapists and psychologists from unqualified ones.

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