Mental health counselors typically specialize in one or more fields. Like psychologists, they are unable to prescribe medication. Counselors may specialize in areas like addiction, marriage, family, religion, etc. They are able to provide talk therapy regarding a wide range of topics, from specific subjects like the ones listed above to general day-to-day stresses.
Psychologist
Most psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology. They are experts in the science behind how the brain works regarding emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Psychologists provide treatment by counseling their patients, typically through classic talk therapy. While they are able to diagnose patients, they are typically unable to prescribe medication.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are able to diagnose and treat mental health disorders through a variety of means. They don’t normally provide counseling as psychologists do, but they are able to prescribe medication to help treat a wide range of problems.
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors typically specialize in one or more fields. Like psychologists, they are unable to prescribe medication. Counselors may specialize in areas like addiction, marriage, family, religion, etc. They are able to provide talk therapy regarding a wide range of topics, from specific subjects like the ones listed above to general day-to-day stresses.
Social Worker
Social workers are public employees who help people solve issues in their lives. In addition to counseling their clients, social workers help with social issues such as employment, housing, substance use, and domestic abuse. Many social workers specialize in working with children and young adults to ensure their health and safety.
These are just a few types of mental health professionals you may see working at facilities like doctor’s offices and hospitals. Most mental health professionals have many years of education, earning a master’s degree, doctor’s degree, or both. Although there are a wide variety of specialties and treatment methods within the field, all mental health professionals work towards a common goal of helping their patients succeed.
