Introduction
When it comes to mental health care, getting started can feel overwhelming. Knowing the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and prescriber can help you make informed decisions about your care as you search for a provider.
Therapists
Therapists are mental health professionals who provide talk therapy - helping individuals, couples, and families address a wide range of concerns. Therapists work with you to focus on emotional and psychological support, in order to foster insight and build coping skills. You may benefit from meeting with a therapist if you struggle with changes in mood, feelings of anxiety, inattention, stress, or life changes impacting quality of life.
Therapists are licensed in their respective fields, although the abbreviations can become confusing. Some of these abbreviations include: Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC); Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW); and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). A therapist’s license can provide insight into their approach to care, and their favored therapeutic techniques can help you anticipate what to expect during your work together - e.g. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT); Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); play therapy; and so many more.
Above all else, therapists offer a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to make meaningful change.
Psychologists
A Psychologist is someone who holds a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology, and can provide mental health assessment and diagnoses. Psychologists also provide therapy, but focus on performing psychological testing and in-depth assessment in order to offer diagnostic clarity and direction in treatment.
Prescribers
A ‘prescriber’ is a medical professional who can prescribe mental health medications - this includes psychiatrists and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP). Medication can help to manage the intensity of symptoms in order to improve functioning, and is even more effective when used with therapy. The PMHNP’s at Old Towne are able to offer comprehensive assessment and continued monitoring of your medications in order to ensure the medication’s effectiveness.
How to Choose
When deciding between a therapist, psychologist, or prescriber - it’s important to consider what type of support you’re seeking. Therapists primarily offer talk therapy to help you navigate life challenges, manage stress, and improve emotional well-being. Psychologists, while also trained to provide therapy, specialize in conducting assessments, and diagnosing disorders. If your goal is to address mental health concerns with medication, a prescriber can help evaluate whether medication is necessary and manage prescriptions.
In some cases, you may find it helpful to work with a combination of these services, as therapists and psychologists can provide emotional support, while prescribers assist in managing symptoms through medication. Something that makes Old Towne unique is that we have therapists, a psychologist, and prescribers under one roof. Having an interdisciplinary team allows for easy collaboration between professionals.
Still feeling hesitant about finding a provider that meets your needs? Our Client Care Coordinators will match you with a provider who can help you achieve your unique goals.