Do Psychologists Diagnose Clients?

Given the complexity of the mental health care system and the diversity of individual needs, it's understandable why questions like “Do psychologists diagnose clients?” are common. While it’s true that psychologists in general can usually diagnose mental health disorders, not every provider across each psychology specialty is equipped to do so. This variation is partially due to the requirements for licensure in different states and partially due to the specific functions of different psychological professions. 

Distinguishing between different occupations in the psychology field can sometimes be confusing. There are many different provider titles, and each is associated with distinct roles and qualifications. By getting a better idea of these distinctions, you may be able to more clearly identify which type of mental health care you might need.

What is a psychologist? 

Psychologists are mental health specialists who may focus on any of a wide range of topics pertaining to human behavior and thought. Depending on their specialty, a psychologist may be able to assess a client’s mental health status, determine whether they may be experiencing a specific mental illness, provide a diagnosis if so, and create a treatment plan to help alleviate symptoms or achieve remission. 

Creating a treatment plan is usually a large portion of a psychologist’s job. While the exact nature of these plans can vary depending on the psychologist’s specialty and the condition the client is experiencing, treatment often involves some type of psychotherapy—also referred to as talk therapy. Through this type of treatment, a provider seeks to understand the thought and behavioral patterns that a client is experiencing through a series of one-on-one interviews or conversations. 

One of the most commonly used forms of psychotherapeutic treatment is known as cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. CBT has been extensively studied, and research suggests that it can be effective in treating various mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and eating disorders. However, the therapy modality recommended for treatment could differ depending on what type of psychologist is creating the treatment plan and what unique needs the client may have. 

What kind of education does a psychologist have?

According to the American Psychological Association, the minimum educational requirement for psychologists generally is a doctoral degree, which includes:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

However, some individuals with master’s degrees in psychology may still be considered psychologists in certain places. Depending on the region where they practice, a person may be able to obtain psychology licensure without a doctoral degree. 

For example, the state of Maine allows those with a master’s degree in counseling and two years of experience after obtaining their degree (a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised experience, specifically) to become licensed professional counselors. While this type of regulation isn’t common, a few other states have similar allowances—though many also have additional limitations in relation to the potential scope of such an individual’s practice. 

Examples of different types of psychologists

One simple way to categorize the many different types of psychologists is to put them into two broad classifications: clinical and non-clinical. Clinical psychologists typically work in health-related environments like hospitals and clinics; examples of these types of positions include cognitive psychologists and developmental psychologists. Non-clinical psychologists may be found in research or analyst positions in educational institutions, corporations, law enforcement, and other non-medical environments; examples of these types of positions include military psychologists, school psychologists, and sports psychologists.

However, note that not all of these types of psychologists can provide diagnoses. Whether or not a mental health professional in the field of psychology is licensed to diagnose clients depends on their level of education, how much experience they have in the field, and the laws of the region they practice in. 

Which types of psychologists can diagnose clients?

For a psychologist to be able to provide an official diagnosis to a client, they need to have a master’s or doctoral degree (depending on their state) and a valid license to practice in their state, at minimum. They’ll also need the right training to be able to recognize and diagnose certain conditions, as some providers may only be able to diagnose disorders that fall within their specialty or niche.  

For example, a clinical psychologist will, in most cases, be able to diagnose almost any mental health condition. However, an educational psychologist—despite having received a similar level of education—may only be qualified to diagnose learning-related disorders. 

It's important to note that the laws of a given state or country usually determine who is qualified to diagnose certain mental health disorders. As previously mentioned, some US states may allow those with master's degrees to diagnose patients, while others may require a doctoral degree or other additional education. 

Can psychologists prescribe medication?

Also note that whether a mental health care provider can prescribe medication depends on the laws in the area where they practice. While psychologists do not typically have the legal ability to prescribe, they may be able to in some places and situations. As of 2023, US states and territories that allow psychologists to prescribe medication in specific circumstances include:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Illinois
• New Mexico
• Louisiana
• The US territory of Guam

However, in general, psychiatrists are more likely to prescribe medication than psychologists. Psychiatrists attend medical school to receive their MD, which is typically followed by residency training in the psychiatry specialty. Their medical school education and field experience help them to understand, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses, sometimes by prescribing pharmaceuticals.

Aside from their prescriptive power and status as medical doctors, one of the main differences between psychiatrists and psychologists is the primary treatment modalities they use to help their clients or patients. While both professions can utilize psychotherapeutic techniques, psychiatrists may prefer to prescribe medications to reduce the severity of mental health disorder symptoms. They may often provide psychotherapy to these patients as well or refer them to a psychologist for that portion of their treatment, since medication is rarely suggested as a standalone treatment.

Getting mental health support in therapy

If you’re experiencing emotional challenges, high stress levels, and/or mild to moderate symptoms of a mental health condition, connecting with a licensed therapist may be a helpful next step. They can provide support for difficulties you may be facing in your life, offer a safe space where you can express your emotions, and equip you with coping mechanisms for managing life’s challenges in a healthy way.

Commuting to regular in-person appointments with a therapist isn’t a viable option for everyone, and online therapy can be an especially useful alternative in such cases. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can then meet with virtually from the comfort of home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective, if not more effective, than in-person therapy in treating certain mental health conditions and challenges. For example, consider a 2020 study that indicates that online CBT was more effective at reducing depression-symptom severity than face-to-face therapy and was more affordable as well, with no differences in client satisfaction.