Psychologist

Clinical and counseling psychologists are trained professionals who can conduct assessments, diagnose mental disorders, and provide treatment:

• Assessments: Psychologists may evaluate clients through standardized tests, surveys, interviews, observations, and medical history evaluations. Assessments may include a variety of tests, such as personality tests, achievement tests, aptitude tests, emotional intelligence tests, and neuropsychological tests. 
• Diagnosis: Psychologists gather information through assessments that may help them diagnose mental disorders. A mental disorder can be diagnosed if a client meets the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). 
• Treatment: According to the American Psychological Association, therapy is the most common form of treatment provided by psychologists. Through psychotherapy (sometimes called “talk therapy”), psychologists can help clients learn about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They can help clients identify how their current coping strategies and thought processes may be unproductive and then help them develop healthier coping strategies, reduce symptoms of mental disorders, and improve their quality of life.  

Some psychologists may provide specialized clinical support for people experiencing: 

• Mental disorders, like anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, or eating disorders
• Brain injuries and neurodegenerative disorders
• Minority stress in racial, ethnic, or sexual-minority populations
• Grief
• Physical illnesses and chronic pain 
• Substance use disorders
• Learning disabilities 
• Anger and/or stress management difficulties
• Trauma
• Sleep disorders
• Sports performance challenges
• Interpersonal conflict in couples, families, or other groups

Psychologists often utilize evidence-based therapy to help improve the lives of their clients. Some common types of therapy include:  

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Solutions-focused therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy 
• Psychodynamic therapy

Therapy is a diverse field with hundreds of different approaches. Many psychologists utilize an eclectic approach by drawing on different therapeutic modalities best suited to each client’s needs and preferences. 

Both psychologists and psychiatrists³ are mental health professionals who receive training to help people improve their quality of life. However, their training and clinical approaches are different. 

The following are key differences between psychology and psychiatry: 

• Education: Psychologists earn a doctorate in psychology, whereas psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating mental disorders. Both professionals are licensed in the state in which they practice. 
• Therapy: Psychiatrists can provide psychotherapy, but many psychiatrists refer patients to psychologists or counselors for treatment. 
• Medications: There are a few states in the U.S. where psychologists may be able to prescribe medications (such as antidepressants), but they generally are not able to. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who often prescribe medications to help patients manage mental disorders. If a psychologist believes medication may be beneficial, they may recommend visiting a primary care physician or psychiatrist. 
• Emphasis of treatment: Psychiatrists generally focus on neurochemistry, medical history, and biology, whereas psychologists typically focus on thoughts (cognition), feelings (emotions), and behaviors. 

Psychologists and psychiatrists often collaborate as part of a comprehensive care team to help patients improve their symptoms, functioning, and quality of life. 

Psychiatry and psychology are different fields of study that often complement each other, and many people benefit from seeing both types of professionals. However, your goals and challenges may dictate whether a psychologist or psychiatrist may be more helpful:  

• When to see a psychologist: People who want to learn new coping skills, develop self-help strategies, build problem-solving skills, learn about effective communication, improve mental health, address symptoms of mental disorders, or otherwise explore the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors may want to seek help from a licensed psychologist. 
• When to see a psychiatrist: People with severe mental disorders, complex medical histories, or those who would otherwise benefit from medications may want to consider working with a psychiatrist. In addition to prescribing medications, psychiatrists can provide other types of treatment that psychologists cannot. For example, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals with severe depression may not be able to take antidepressants. In these cases, psychiatrists may work with other medical practitioners during a procedure called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). 
• Other mental health professionals: Psychologists and psychiatrists are not the only providers of mental health services. Other professionals who can help include licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and psychiatric nurses. 

Both psychologists and psychiatrists can help individuals with mental disorders and other mental health challenges. If you see a psychiatrist, they may recommend seeing a psychologist for therapy. On the other hand, a psychologist may recommend seeing a psychiatrist for medication or other treatment options besides therapy.  

After gathering sufficient background information, psychologists will typically talk with their clients about what they’ve identified and how therapy may help. Treatment may begin if both the client and psychologist decide to proceed with therapy. Different types of therapy may emphasize different things. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) often incorporates: 

• Goal setting: Psychologists often help clients set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound (SMART) goals when starting CBT. These goals can help break down vague, subjective challenges (such as “I don’t feel happy”) into smaller, actionable goals. For example, a SMART goal for someone with social anxiety disorder may be, “I want to initiate conversations with two people this week.” 
• Psychoeducation: CBT is a short-term therapy that focuses on present challenges, often requiring an emphasis on education. Psychoeducation helps clients learn about therapy, mental health, and mental disorders. It can also involve teaching clients how to cope with stressors, identify and reframe maladaptive thoughts, communicate effectively, and manage anger.
• Homework: Psychologists often assign clients homework for psychoeducation, self-assessment, or modality-specific reasons. This may entail any work discussed in therapy and completed between sessions, such as completing mood logs, journaling, or exposure practice.

There is no definitive timeline for how long you should continue therapy. However, many people find that therapy reaches a natural conclusion when they’ve learned how to manage symptoms on their own, they’ve been making significant progress on their goals, symptoms become less distressing, or mental health concerns have less impact on daily functioning. Some people may also stop attending therapy sessions for financial reasons. 

Finding a psychologist

Signs that you may benefit from therapy include the following: 

• Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, helpless, sad, or generally low
• Difficulty completing daily activities and tasks
• Experiencing mental health challenges that are distressing or harmful, such as avoidance or substance use
• Mood instability 
• Negative thought patterns
• Challenges with school, work, friendships, or other relationships

You can use resources like the American Psychology Association (APA) Psychologist Locator to find a licensed psychologist. Other resources, like BetterHelp, can match you with a licensed online therapist whose background matches your needs. 

When you find a psychologist, consider doing the following: 

• Read about their background: Psychologists should provide information about their educational background, years of experience, and the types of clients they have successfully worked with. If you have any questions, you may want to write them down and bring them to your first appointment. 
• Assess their credentials: Psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals should provide their licensing number, which you can verify through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards website. 
• Consider whether they accept insurance: If you have a health insurance plan that covers psychotherapy, you may want to determine whether your specific policy covers the psychologist.  If not, psychologists may offer payment on a sliding scale. Many online platforms do not accept insurance. However, the cost of sessions is generally comparable to insurance co-payments. 

Determine if they have a waitlist: Some psychologists without current availability may offer a waitlist. If you’re on a waitlist for an in-person provider, you may want to try signing up for a support group or contacting a licensed online therapy provider.

The education and training requirements an aspiring psychologist must fulfill can depend on the type of psychology they intend to practice. There is also some variability in requirements between states. However, the following are generally considered minimum qualifications for a psychologist to practice in the United States: 

Psychologist education

To practice as an independent psychologist, most states in the United States require a doctoral degree, according to the American Psychological Association. Most psychologists either have a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree, which usually take five to seven years to complete. Individuals with a master’s degree in psychology may be able to practice in clinical settings, but typically only under the supervision of a psychologist with a doctoral degree. 

Some doctoral programs may also fulfill graduate school master’s degree requirements within that program, whereas others may require that doctoral applicants possess a master’s degree in psychology before applying. Additionally, most doctoral programs require an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field. 

Internship

Doctoral candidates are required to complete an internship before they become licensed psychologists. During this time, they gain hands-on clinical experience and training working with clients. Depending on their specialization, an internship may take between six months and two years to complete. 

Psychologist licensing

Most states in the U.S. require that practicing psychologists obtain a license to practice. To obtain a license, psychologists are typically required to hold a doctoral degree in psychology, complete an internship and practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist for 1,500-6,000 hours, and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).  

Jurisprudence exam

Psychologists may be required to complete state-specific jurisprudence or oral examinations in some states. These exams generally cover state laws, rules, and ethics codes.

Board certification

Organizations like the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) provide specialty board certification. Though board certifications are not required, they can provide a more rigorous assessment of competency in specialized fields of psychology. 

Signs that you may benefit from therapy include the following: 

• Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, helpless, sad, or generally low
• Difficulty completing daily activities and tasks
• Experiencing mental health challenges that are distressing or harmful, such as avoidance or substance use
• Mood instability 
• Negative thought patterns
• Challenges with school, work, friendships, or other relationships

You can use resources like the American Psychology Association's (APA) Psychologist Locator to find a licensed psychologist. Other resources, like BetterHelp, can match you with a licensed online therapist whose background matches your needs. 

When you find a psychologist, consider doing the following: 

• Read about their background: Psychologists should provide information about their educational background, years of experience, and the types of clients they have successfully worked with. If you have any questions, you may want to write them down and bring them to your first appointment. 
• Assess their credentials: Psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals should provide their licensing number, which you can verify through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards website. 
• Consider whether they accept insurance: If you have a health insurance plan that covers psychotherapy, you may want to determine whether your specific policy covers the psychologist.  If not, psychologists may offer payment on a sliding scale. Many online platforms do not accept insurance. However, the cost of sessions is generally comparable to insurance co-payments.
• Determine if they have a waitlist: Some psychologists without current availability may offer a waitlist. If you’re on a waitlist for an in-person provider, you may want to try signing up for a support group or contacting a licensed online therapy provider.