Last updated June 5, 2025
Reasons you might seek a mental health professional range from problems in your marriage to a kid who is so distracted at school you suspect they have ADHD. But figuring out which professional could provide the most help can be more confusing than a Freudian dream analysis.
Do you need a psychologist, a psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, or someone who specializes in eating disorders or couples counseling? Will your insurance cover treatment?
Here’s what to know.
Differences Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists
“Broadly, whether you need a psychologist or psychiatrist has to do with the severity of your symptoms,” said Ryan Howes, a psychologist in Pasadena, Calif. “In general, psychologists, therapists, and clinical social workers are the ones who do talk therapy, helping people by listening to their problems and suggesting strategies.”
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose serious mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). They can also prescribe medications and other non-talk interventions to address them. “If you’re having trouble sleeping, coping, or have severe depression, that’s when you see a psychiatrist,” said Howes. Psychiatrists deal with issues that can’t be addressed with talk therapy alone and help patients combine talk with medication to get the best results.
Some psychiatrists perform talk therapy, though most don’t. They will often recommend following up pharmaceutical intervention with psychotherapy.
Most psychologists can’t prescribe drugs, though recent legislation in some states (Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Utah) has given appropriately trained psychologists the right to write Rxs.
Still, the two professions can work hand in hand. “If you see a psychologist and they do an intake and evaluation, they may suggest visiting a psychiatrist who can set you up with medication,” said Andrea Naranjo, a psychologist in Greenbrae, Calif.
Who Can Perform Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the general term for talk therapy. It can be performed by psychologists, social workers counselors, therapists, and, in rare cases, psychiatrists. Many mental health pros just use the generic term “therapist.”
Most practicing therapists are licensed by their state or territory, though pros working toward licensure can also see clients. Licensure generally requires completion of education, hours in the field, and passing exams, but varies widely by location and specialty (addiction counseling, marriage counseling, family counseling). Life coaches and pastoral advisors (aka, ministers and other religious leaders) are often not licensed, although most chaplains who work in healthcare settings are.
In general, we recommend sticking with licensed pros—it’s a meaningful accreditation and ensures you aren’t getting a quack. Open Counseling, a search engine devoted to helping consumers find low- or no-cost therapy, has a tool allowing users to check therapists’ licensure and what it takes to get that accreditation in different regions.
Psychologists: Psychologists have masters or doctoral degrees in psychology, philosophy, or education. Their training dives into the science, theory, and practice of human behavior. In addition to counseling, they can perform psychological and neuropsychological tests to determine severe mental illnesses. Some psychologists specialize in children’s issues, while others solely treat adults.
Social Workers: Social workers first earn a graduate degree: Either a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). They typically do two years of graduate coursework alongside two to three years of supervised clinical work. Their psychotherapy focuses on connecting people to their communities and support they can receive there.
Specialty Therapists or Counselors: While many psychologists and social workers see patients of all kinds, some mental health professionals specialize in couples counseling, family counseling, or addiction counseling. This means they’ve received a degree, usually a masters, in one of those specialties and that they concentrate on issues confronting these particular groups.
How to Find a Therapist
If you think you or a loved one needs help, start by talking to your primary care doctor, who can point you toward both the type of therapist you might need and give you names of pros in your area.
You can also check your insurance policy’s portal or website to find providers who participate in your plan’s network. Many psychologists and therapists don’t accept insurance, but all will give you receipts to file claims. Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $350 per hour for most types of therapy.
Consumers’ Checkbook provides ratings of psychologists, marriage counselors, family therapists, and psychiatrists. You can also search for mental health providers by location, specialty, and insurance carrier via Alma, the American Psychological Association, and Psychology Today. Though mental health pros pay to be listed on those services, they first must prove their credentials.
“Then you narrow down your list by what you’re willing to pay, whether you’re willing to commute to a session, or if you’re willing to see someone online,” said Naranjo.
Most therapists will provide a free, 15-minute consult, usually by video or phone. Since you’ll be airing your anxieties to this person, it’s important that you have some rapport. Ask them about their approach to therapy, how long they think treatment will last, and whether they see patients in person or online.
Online therapy became common during the COVID-19 pandemic and studies indicate it’s as effective as in-person treatment. Still, some clients, especially couples and families, benefit from the immediacy of real life encounters.
Types of Talk Therapy
When searching for a therapist, know that some specialize in one technique listed below, while many use a combination of modalities.
Behavioral Therapy focuses on the present, dealing less with why a behavior began and more with how a patient can learn new behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) challenges the negative and irrational thoughts that lead to dysfunctional behaviors and perpetuate distress. It helps patients become aware of thinking patterns and can address depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other issues.
Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT) focuses on developing skills to cope with challenging situations, essentially having logical discussion of ideas and opinions. It’s often used to treat borderline personality disorder.
Psychodynamic Therapy, aka Freudian therapy, delves into the drives and forces within individuals to explain human behavior and personality.
What to Expect
Most therapy sessions last for 50 minutes. Your first session with a new provider sets the groundwork for what you want to get out of the process. Be clear about your goals and state them. For example, you might say, “I want to feel less anxiety about work and family life” or “I’d like to sleep better.”
Don’t expect immediate answers, and don’t expect either the chumminess or overly lecturing therapists you see on shows like “Shrinking” and “In Treatment.” Also know that, while some people are in therapy for years, for many people it’s just a periodic tune-up. “I have many people that come in for a few sessions every few years,” Naranjo says.