Therapist Types & Therapy Approaches
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Clinical social workers have completed a master’s program (typically 2 years) in social work and receive a master’s degree (MSW). If providing psychotherapy, a social worker is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and is required to perform a few thousand hours of clinical experience as a prerequisite to getting a license. The primary training and method of intervention of professional social workers includes such services as case management (linking clients with agencies and programs that can help with anything from food and shelter to financial, emotional or medical needs), counseling and psychotherapy, social welfare policy, analysis, and practice development, community organizing, community development, advocacy, and research. LCSW’s practicing psychotherapy are on the lower end of the fee spectrum for therapy services (anywhere from $100 – $200 depending on location, experience, and training).
Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT or LMFT)
Marriage & family therapists have typically completed a master’s program in psychology (though this is not a requirement in some states). Although the title includes the words “marriage” and “family,” MFTs provide therapy to individuals as well. Training for MFTs includes 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience as a requirement of being eligible for taking the licensing exam. MFT training focuses specifically on helping individuals, couples, and families through therapy and counseling in private practice, mental health agency, or hospital settings, and includes a comprehensive education in human psychology. Fees for psychotherapy with an MFT tend to be in the mid-range ($100 – $300).Psychologist (PsyD, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist)
Psychologists are mental health professionals who have completed a doctoral program in psychology and hold a doctorate degree (Ph.D., Psy.D. or D.M.H.). Doctoral education in psychology typically takes four to six years. Clinical psychologists are required to complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience before becoming eligible to take the licensing exam for psychologists. Training as a clinical psychologist includes the theory and practice of psychotherapy, diagnosis and assessment of mental disorders (including the administration of psychological tests, which only psychologists are licensed to perform), and research in mental health. The Psy.D. degree represents a psychologist who has completed a more clinically focused doctoral program (diagnosing and treating patients with psychotherapy), whereas a Ph.D. degree typically includes a greater focus on research (although both degrees qualify a psychologist to practice psychotherapy if licensed). Psychologist fees for psychotherapy tend to be slightly higher than MFTs or LCSWs ($200 – $400).
Psychiatrist (MD or DO)
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD) who have gone on to specialize in mental health and psychopharmacology. This means that psychiatrists have completed a full medical education equivalent to any other MD as well as further specialty training in psychology and psychiatric medications. Psychiatrists are the only mental health providers that are able to prescribe medications. While historically psychiatrists have offered psychotherapy, similar to the above professions, the field of psychiatry has increasingly focused on the prescription of psychiatric medications. Psychiatrists fees tend to be the highest for psychotherapy sessions ($300 – $700).THERAPIST TYPES
It is sometimes overwhelming when looking into mental health treatment and seeing many different types of providers and professions. These brief explanations are meant to help distinguish between some of the common types of therapists that offer similar psychotherapy services, but who have various types of training, educational degrees, licenses and specialties. While the training and focus of these various therapist types are somewhat different, any one provider’s training and expertise could either be highly proficient in psychotherapy or relatively novice depending on years of experience and further specialty and training sought after becoming licensed.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic psychotherapy refers to an approach and theory that assumes that early life experience informs and shapes our current relationships and emotional state. It is loosely related to the theory and practice of psychoanalysis (see below). In psychodynamic therapy, the relationship and interaction with the therapist is seen as a primary mode of effecting positive or developmental change. Therapy tends to involve exploration of both current as well as past experiences, often uncovering aspects of a persons thoughts and emotions that were not fully realized or understood. It is through this new understanding and emotional exploration that negative or stuck states of mind and/or relationships are healed, resolved or developed.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on the here and now with particular attention to a person’s negative thoughts and behaviors. Therapy often includes very organized assessment of patterns of thinking and behaving, with specific exercises and regimens designed to alter the patterns that contribute towards negative emotions, poor relationships, and lack of success in life.Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy / Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychotherapy has a long and varied history going back to Sigmund Freud. As its basic premise, psychoanalysis assumes that people are often unaware of the factors that contribute to their mental and emotional state, and that uncovering these unconscious processes and assumptions leads to wellness. The way it is practiced today, there is a wide variety of approaches and styles in psychoanalysis (i.e. Freudian, Jungian, Object-Relations, Relational) that can look and feel quite different from the stereotype of the silent analyst saying only “Mmm Hmm” as the patient talks. Psychoanalysis is distinguished from psychoanalytic psychotherapy by both the frequency and setup of therapy. In psychoanalysis the patient usually comes in 2 – 5 times per week and often lays on a couch facing away from the therapist, whereas psychoanalytic psychotherapy incorporates the same theories and methodology of analysis without the same level of involvement. Psychoanalysts are required to undergo an additional educational training that often lasts for many years before being able to be called an analyst and perform analysis, whereas many therapists work from psychoanalytically-informed perspective and are well-trained in a psychoanalytic approach.
Integrative Psychotherapy
Finally, not all therapists categorize themselves as having one particular theory or approach. Integrative therapists tend to draw from many styles and points of view, tailoring the treatment to the needs and interests of the patient. The above list is by no means exhaustive or comprehensive. Many therapists borrow from Eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Meditation as well as traditions in family therapy, social justice, existentialism, and more.THERAPY APPROACHES & THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS
The following descriptions briefly describe the most common approaches and styles of psychotherapy. They are by no means comprehensive, but give a flavor of what to expect when working with a therapist that adheres more to one or another model of psychotherapy. Please do not hesitate to ask any therapist with whom you are considering working about his or her approach to therapy and theoretical orientation.