Therapist vs. psychologist: what’s the difference?

When we see therapists and psychologists in movies, they’re usually sitting in an office asking a client, “How do you feel about that?”. Both therapists and psychologists may indeed give therapy in private practice, but their skills make them helpful in various settings such as schools, prisons, hospitals, and private companies.

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“Therapist” is an umbrella term for someone who has a license to practice therapy. But not all therapists have the same background and skills. Licensure requirements vary by state and specialty. Most therapists have at least a bachelor's degree as well as a certification to practice. Many have master’s degrees in social work. Some even have a Ph.D. or other advanced education (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).

A therapist's ability to diagnose patients varies between states. Some therapists may refer a patient to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist for diagnosis (National Conference of State Legislators, 2020).

Therapists work in schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, and private practice. They may practice group and individual therapy, and many have different specializations. Psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (LCADC), and pastoral counselors can all be therapists (NAMI, 2020). 

Therapists cannot prescribe medications. People who need prescription psychiatric medications like antidepressants while seeing a therapist can see a prescribing practitioner simultaneously. Psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and some primary care providers prescribe psychiatric medications (NAMI, 2020). 

‘Psychologist’ is a more academic term. They’ve completed psychology coursework in undergraduate, graduate school, and even postgraduate education. They may have a doctoral degree, whether it’s a Ph.D. (philosophical doctorate), PsyD (psychological doctorate), or EdD (educational doctorate). Education focuses on theory, research, and scientific methods (American Psychological Association, 2017). 

Just because someone is a psychologist does not mean they are a therapist or clinician. Psychologists often use their expertise in other fields. For example, they conduct research or teach at universities. Or they may work as part of the healthcare team in hospitals and prisons, and some practice in schools (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). A clinical psychologist helps people with mental health issues in hospitals, schools, or private practice. 

Psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions and can recommend a treatment plan. Most psychologists cannot prescribe medications, but in some states, they can (American Psychological Association, 2017). Many psychologists work alongside a psychiatrist—a medical doctor— to treat those who need psychiatric medication.

Therapists and clinical psychologists typically consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be the best-proven standard for practice. It is the oldest and best-researched method for psychotherapy and talk therapy. CBT was the first evidence-based method used in the field (David, 2018). The American Psychology Association (APA) lists it as a first-line treatment for many diagnoses (American Psychological Association, 2017). CBT has evolved and continues to change as more research and literature emerge (David, 2018). 

However, there are over 400 kinds of psychotherapy approaches, and your therapist or psychologist will probably use a combination of several (Zarbo, 2016). In the past, therapeutic methods have been more structured and regimented. Psychotherapists and researchers now agree that there is no one-size-fits-all method for therapy. An Integrative psychotherapy model takes this into account. This means combining an evidence-based yet individualized plan (Zarbo, 2016).

Your therapist or psychologist will develop a plan with you based on your unique needs, goals, and strengths. 

People see therapists and psychologists for all kinds of reasons, and it's never wrong to seek help if you are struggling. If you’re finding difficulty with any of the following mental health conditions, it may be time to seek help:

• Grief

• Anxiety

• Relationship problems

• Sadness or depression

• Stress

• Substance abuse/addiction 

• Trauma

• Disruptive thoughts

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teletherapy is more available than ever before. While some clients may prefer in-person sessions, people living in remote areas can now benefit from seeing a therapist via video call. There’s only limited research comparing the effectiveness of remote therapy and in-person sessions. Preliminary data suggests the two are comparable, and for some in remote areas, teletherapy may be the only option (Irvine, 2020).

Some clinics ask patients to come into the office for an in-person session before starting a teletherapy regimen (Markowitz, 2020).

It’s important to research a therapist's specialties and skills before committing to working with them. The strongest proven predictor of success in therapy is a good relationship between the client and the therapist (Arnow, 2013). Some personality aspects may give you a clue about whether a therapist or psychologist could be a good fit. You want a therapist who shows warmth, compassion, empathy, openness, and unconditional positive regard toward you (Carey, 2012).

Studies suggest that the best therapists have better return rates, tend to see patients more often, and are more effective during sessions. It is important to complete your course of therapy (Saxon, 2016). 

Ways to find a therapist near you:

• If you have insurance, contact your insurance agency for a list of providers in your network.

• Speak with your primary care provider about your needs. They should be able to refer you to someone. 

• If you feel comfortable, ask a close friend or family member if they have a mental health professional they would recommend. Even if that person isn’t accepting patients, they can usually refer you to someone who is. 

• PsychologyToday has a Find a Therapist Page where you can search for a provider by location, then see their credentials and bio. 

Once you find a therapist or psychologist, it is vital to do more research to ensure they are a good fit. Most providers will have a first session with you to determine your personality and needs before deciding to work together. 

Questions to ask your therapist or psychologist:

• Ask about your specific concerns; how often do they see people with similar needs to yours?

• What is their educational background? 

• What methods do they use to treat patients with your needs? 

• Can they prescribe medications should you need them?

• How long have they been practicing?

• Do they accept your insurance?

Psychologists and therapists share similar skills and motivations. They aim to help people live better, healthier lives, and promote emotional well-being by treating various mental health conditions. But while they tend to be grouped together, there are important distinctions between the two professions. Therapists are often certified counselors, coming from different backgrounds and working in a range of settings. Psychologists go through more academic learning and may work outside of patient care. 

Whether you choose to see a therapist or psychologist, your relationship is important. Evaluate a mental health professional based on your unique personality and needs before committing to a treatment regimen. 

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Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

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Current version

July 28, 2021

Written by

Marie Hasty, BSN

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.