Psychiatrist V. Psychologist V. Psychotherapist

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

DEFINITIONS
By A. I. and Staff Reporters

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The terms “psychologist” and “psychiatrist” are often used interchangeably to describe anyone who provides therapy services, but the two professions and the services they provide differ in terms of content and scope. A major difference between the two types of experts is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication [Rx].

  • As physicians [MD/DO] psychiatrists are trained to recognize the ways biological processes affect mental functioning.
  • Psychologists are oriented to how thoughts, feelings, and social factors influence mental functioning.

PSYCHIATRIST

Psychiatrists are medical or osteopathic doctors who are able to prescribe psychotropic medications, which they do in conjunction with providing psychotherapy though medical and pharmacological interventions are often their focus.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Though many psychologists hold doctorate degrees, they are not medical doctors, and most cannot prescribe medications. Rather, they solely provide psycho-therapy, which may involve cognitive and behavioral interventions, psycho-dynamic or psycho-analytic approaches.

NOTE PROTECTED TITLE: The title of “psychologist” can only be used by an individual who has completed the required education, training, and state license requirements. Informal titles, such as “counselor” or “therapist,” are often used as well. Other mental health care professionals, such as licensed social workers, can claim those titles, but not the title of “psychologist.”

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A Review of Mental Healthcare Provider Types

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

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Implications for Staffing Modern Mental Health Facilities

[By Carol Miller RN MBA]

Carol S. MillerCommunity Mental Health Centers are also referred to as County Mental Health Centers and treat patients usually with no or limited insurance in a domiciliary setting versus an inpatient state or community facility.

And, both children and adults are eligible to receive such assistance.

These programs provide a wide range of psychiatric and counseling services to the residents in their community as well
as other types of assistance. But, what type of mental healthcare staff, and providers, are involved with these facilities?

Staffing

Staffing levels at community mental health facilities depend on the size and funding of each clinic, and vary in number, qualifications, and mix. Many personnel hold or are working on Master’s degrees and various professional certifications.

Typical staffing would include:

  • Administrative or Mental Health Director ¾ This individual, working under general policy directives, is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing delivery of a community’s comprehensive mental health programs and services. This would include the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, budget, standard compliance, and work standards for mental health services. The Director is responsible not only for the services offered under the program, but also for extensive coordination with other county departments, public and private organizations, citizen groups, and the Board of Supervisors.
  • Case management staff ¾ These personnel are responsible for compiling all the services related to the treatment program.
  • Psychiatrists ¾ These individuals may work for a mental health center full or part time, and be Board-eligible or Board-certified in Psychiatry.
  • Psychologists ¾ These individuals will hold Ph.D., Psy.D. or Ed.D. qualifications and be licensed as clinical psychologists in the state.
  • Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) ¾ These individuals will have expertise in such services as family counseling, child psychology, geriatric dementia, psychological testing, and so on.
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) — These individuals are specialized in various fields and provide an array of counseling services to patients, dependent on the nature of their problem.
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists ¾ These personnel are certified in psychiatric nursing by a national nursing organization such as the American Nurses Association to practice within the scope of these services and are licensed in the state.
  • Support staff ¾ These staff members would include an administrative assistant to the Director, medical billers, transcriptionist, and possibly a receptionist.
  • Substance Abuse Counselor or Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPC or LPCC) — An individual who takes a holistic approach where they exam a person’s external environmental and societal influences while also monitoring inner emotion, physical and behavioral health.

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Counselor Qualifications

A licensed mental health counselor has met or exceeded the following professional qualifications:

  • earned a Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline;
  • completed a minimum of two years post-Master’s clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional; and
  • passed a state-developed or national licensure or certification examination.

Assessment

Conclusion

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