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The Global Insight

What credential should a therapist have?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 31, 2026

The specific credentials you should look for are licensed professional counselors (LPC) who have a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed social worker (LSW).

What title does a therapist have?

Under CA law, “psychologist” is a protected job title. A person can use this title only if he or she has obtained a doctoral degree in psychology: a PhD, PsyD, or EdD. (The differences between these degrees is explained in the section of this website called Doctoral Degrees for Psychologists).

What are the different certifications for therapists?

The most common titles are: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

What kind of specialist is a therapist?

Therapy can be administered by a range of mental health professionals: psychologists, who are specially trained in the study of mind and human behaviors; counselors, who provide talk therapy but don’t diagnose conditions or provide medication; and psychiatrists, who are physicians that prescribe medication like …

What is the highest level of therapist?

Requirements vary by state, but most necessitate a doctoral or specialist degree in school psychology. Doctoral degrees often take five to six years to finish, while specialist degrees like the Ed. D. often take around three years to complete.

What types of therapists make the most money?

The 9 Highest Paying Psychology Careers

  • Industrial-Organizational Psychologist.
  • Neuropsychologist.
  • Clinical Psychologist.
  • Engineering Psychologist.
  • Counseling Psychologist.
  • Forensic Psychologist. Average Salary: $59,440.
  • School Psychologist. Average Salary: $58,360.
  • Sports Psychologist. Average Salary: $55,000 per year.

What are the 4 types of talk therapy?

Different Types of Talk Therapy Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, branches out in many different directions, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and more.

Where can I find list of therapist credential abbreviations?

The therapists listed in this directory have a wide range of credentials (academic degrees, licenses, certifications, etc.) which appear in the form of abbreviations or acronyms following the therapist’s name. The list below presents some of the more common credential abbreviations and their meanings.

What kind of degree do you need to be a therapist?

Training: completion of a PhD, PsyD, or EdD program in psychology. All degrees require clinical field experience and dissertations, though a PsyD or EdD is typically more clinically focused, while a PhD is more research focused. Quick tips: Though PhDs are often doing research, some offer therapy and private practice.

What kind of work does a licensed therapist do?

These practitioners can offer licensed counseling services, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches. Many pastoral counselors work in hospital or hospice chaplaincy, in ministry, institutions of higher education, or individual clinical practice.

What do all the letters on a therapist license mean?

MSW, LGSW, LCSW, LMSW, LCSW-C, LISW, LSW (and probably more, as this varies depending on state license, but will always involve an “SW”) Training: completion of a masters program in clinical social work. Those with an “L” have completed licensure requirements which may involve state board exams and supervision hours.