When it comes to therapy, research shows that the relationship you have with your therapist is more important than their title. It’s all about finding someone you fit with. However, if you’re curious about the different styles and what they offer, read on.

Licensed therapists: These professionals hold state-granted licenses, enabling them to provide therapy using various methods to improve mental health without medication. They follow evidence-based practices and must continue their education to stay current.

• Social Workers: Focus on community resources and case management.
• Marriage and Family Therapists: Specialize in couples and family therapy.
• Mental Health Counselors: Typically concentrate on individual therapy.
• Psychologists: Excel in assessments and diagnoses, with training on conducting research.

Remember, individual practitioners vary significantly—don’t be surprised to find a social worker doing couple’s therapy or a marriage and family therapist who loves assessments.

Psychiatrists (M.Ds) and Psychiatric nurse practitioners (ARNPs): These medical professionals can diagnose and prescribe medications. They may also provide counseling, but their primary focus is often on the medical model of treatment. You’ll see them for medication needs beyond your general practitioner’s scope. Some psychiatrists offer combined counseling and medication management, while others focus solely on meds.

Coaches: This unregulated industry allows anyone to call themselves a coach. While credentialing exists, it’s not mandatory.

• Career or Executive Coaches: Function like mentors, guiding you to find your own answers. I do this type of work for people experiencing imposter syndrome in technology, at SelfWitte Coaching.
• Life Coaches: Often do counselor-type work without a license. Reasons vary from higher earnings to navigating state licensing difficulties or working in alternative fields. Insurance rarely covers coaching, but some Employee Assistance Plans (EAPs) might.

Note that coaching lacks legal protections for privacy that the other disciplines typically have.

Curious to know more about how to identify who’s who? Dive into Decoding Therapist Credentials: What Do Those Letters Mean?.