Question by Think about it: Why is a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) not considered a psychologist?
wikipedia says that psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are psychologists, but that an MFT is not necessarily one. You’d think a psychiatrist who we think of someone who just prescribes meds wouldn’t be considered a psychologist and some answers here say they’re not really trained to listen to patients problems, so why isn’t an MFT considered a psychologist?
thanks worrier!

Best answer:

Answer by worrier
Wikipedia is not always a reliable source. A psychologist is someone who graduated with a PsyD or PhD in Psychology with specific coursework that may or may not have focused on marriage and family issues. In fact some psychologists limit their practice to psychological testing and do not counsel or provide psychotherapy at all. A Marriage and Family Therapist may be a person with a master’s degree in counseling, social work, or psychology, and has specialized in working with families. These professionals often have to be certified by a state or national organization before they can put MFT after their names. A psychiatrist is first a medical doctor, who went on for additional training to specialize in treating mental disorders. They can prescribe medicine and sometimes practice psychotherapy or talk therapy with patients. All of these professionals can be called “psychotherapists” but not all are trained or licensed the same way. Every state has a professional regulation department that lists the names of those who are licensed to practice clinical social work, counseling, psychiatry and psychology. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) can direct you to members of their organization in your area.

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