What are the different types of mental health providers?
If you’ve ever thought about starting therapy or seeking support for your mental health, you may have asked yourself: “Who should I see?” and “What are all these abbreviations?" The mental health field includes many different types of providers, each with their own training, specialties, and approaches to care.
This guide breaks down the main types of mental health professionals so you can better understand your options and make an informed decision about who might be the best fit for your needs.
Why It Helps to Know the Different Types of Providers
Knowing that we need mental health support is the first step, but what matters as well is how we approach this journey next. Mental health care is not one-size-fits-all. Some providers can prescribe medication, others focus on therapy, and many specialize in certain populations or issues. By learning the differences, you’ll save time, feel more confident in your search, and get connected to the right kind of support sooner.
1. Psychiatrists (MD or DO)
Training: Medical doctors who specialize in psychiatry. Their education places a stronger emphasis on the medical/biological model, so the focus is on how the brain and body contribute to symptoms.
Services: Provide formal assessments to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and provide medical management. Some also offer psychotherapy, but many focus on medication treatment.
When to Consider Seeing One: If you are considering psychiatric medication, if you have complex mental health needs (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or treatment-resistant depression), or if your mental health provider recommends a consult with one. If your mental health provider recommends it.
2. Psychologists (PhD or PsyD)
Training: Doctoral-level programs in psychology. PhD programs emphasize both research and clinical work; PsyD programs focus more on clinical practice.
Services: Therapy, psychological testing, and assessments. Do not prescribe medication, but work closely with psychiatrists who do (Sievert, 2023) .
When to Consider Seeing One: If you want therapy or need psychological testing for issues like ADHD, learning differences, or personality assessment. If your mental health provider recommends it.
3. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC, LCPC, LPCC, or similar)
Training: Master’s degree in counseling or a related field. Similar to LCSWs and LMFTs, they can specialize in treating certain populations (Joubert, 2024).
Services: Provide individual, couples, or group counseling. Focus on talk therapy, practical coping strategies, and emotional wellness (Joubert, 2024).
When to Consider Seeing One: For support with anxiety, depression, stress management, grief, or relationship concerns, oftentimes for short-term support. When there’s a preference for a more here-and-now focus. If your mental health provider recommends it.
4. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW, LICSW)
Training: Master’s degree in Social Work with advanced clinical training. Similar to counselors and LMFTs, they can specialize in treating certain populations (Joubert, 2024).
Services: Therapy and counseling, plus case management and connection to resources (housing, financial aid, community support).
When to Consider Seeing One: If you need therapy that can go a bit deeper with additional support in navigating life stressors and resources. If you want to get to the roots of why you do certain things (Joubert, 2024). If your mental health provider recommends it.
5. Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT, MFT)
Training: Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Similar to counselors and LCSWs, they can specialize in treating certain populations (Joubert, 2024).
Services: As Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs), we diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders with a strong focus on the context of relationships and family systems. While we provide comprehensive care, there are certain conditions we often refer to psychiatrists or psychologists for further assessment, since they are trained to use specialized diagnostic tools. More complex diagnoses—such as Autism, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia—are typically best evaluated and managed by those professionals.
Our expertise lies in relationship dynamics, family systems, and couples counseling, while also offering individual therapy. We emphasize the ways relationships impact overall well-being and help clients develop skills to strengthen both their connection with themselves and their connections with others. We also encourage clients to foster a sense of community—whether through spiritual practices, volunteering, or joining social groups—as part of their healing and growth.
When to Consider Seeing One: If you’re seeking individual, couples, or family therapy—or want to better understand how your relationships affect your well-being—an LMFT can be an excellent fit. LMFTs may be particularly helpful for clients from collectivistic cultures, since we are trained to view family systems and relational dynamics as key parts of the healing process. If your mental health provider recommends it.
6. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP)
Training: Advanced practice nurses with psychiatric specialization. Their education has a stronger focus on the holistic and relational model, so the consider how the mind, body, lifestyle and social factors interact.
Services: Diagnose, prescribe medications, and sometimes provide therapy. Often bring a holistic, nursing-based perspective.
When to Consider Seeing One: If you want medication management with a provider who often takes extra time to consider whole-person health. If your mental health provider recommends it.
7. Other Mental Health Providers and Supports
Pastoral Counselors: Offer faith-based counseling (training/licensure varies).
Peer Support Specialists: Individuals with lived experience of recovery who offer guidance and encouragement.
Primary Care Physicians: Often the first step for discussing concerns and providing referrals, though not specialists in mental health. Like psychiatrists, they can also prescribe psychiatric medications.
How to Choose the Right Mental Health Provider
When deciding which provider to see, consider:
Do you want medication, therapy, or both?
Are you looking for individual therapy, couples counseling, or family therapy?
Would you benefit from testing or evaluation?
Do you prefer a provider with a medical background or one with a counseling/therapy focus?
The brain is such a complex organ, and each person’s needs can vary greatly, so many people end up working with a team of providers—for example, a psychiatrist for medication and a therapist for ongoing counseling. What matters most is finding someone you feel comfortable with and who meets your unique needs.
Final Thoughts
Mental health care is a collaborative process, and you don’t need to have it all figured out before starting. Sometimes the first provider you meet with can help guide you to the right level of care. Whether you work with a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, or social worker, seeking help is a powerful first step toward healing and growth.
If you’re not sure where to start, feel free to book a session with me. Navigating mental health systems can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Click here today!
Sources:
Joubert, S. (July 2, 2024). “Counselors vs. Therapists vs. Psychologists: Key Differences” https://graduate.northeastern.edu/knowledge-hub/counselor-vs-therapist-vs-psychologist/
Sievert, D. (May, 22, 2023). “What Is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?” https://medschool.ucla.edu/news-article/psychologist-vs-psychiatrist-what-is-the-difference
