Question by catfight_007: What is a Psychotherapist?
How is it different from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist?

Best answer:

Answer by Dr. Bob
A psychotherapist is a “healer” (therapist) of the “psyche” (“mind”).

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in psychology. (Some may answer that a Psychiatrist is different because he/she can prescribe medications. While that is true in most states because the MD is a medical degree, that is NOT the distinguishing characteristic!)

A “Psychologist” is usually someone licensed in their state to practice psychological counseling (that is, “psychotherapy”) with at least a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree. A Psychologist may also specialize in other fields, such as psychological testing, industrial psychology, and other types of psychology.

A therapist is a helper/healer. Such a person needs no special credentials, training, or education.

The same is true of a “counselor.”

Anyone can put themselves out as a psychotherapist, a therapist, or a counselor. These words are not reserved (except in certain cases when they are combined with other words, such as “licensed marriage counselor.” It’s the “licensed” that does it…) Nor does it take any special skills or education or training to say you are any of them.

Add your own answer in the comments!

 

 

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