Mental Health is an overlooked term throughout the world. Emotional trauma, unstable mentality, psychological conditions, etc., are sometimes not identified as they are not physically visible, but it is essential to acknowledge the signs of it and get help. While there are several types of professionals for it, therapists and psychologists are two of the most common.
Key Takeaways
- Therapists help clients manage emotional and mental health issues, while psychologists diagnose and treat mental disorders.
- Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology, while therapists may possess various educational backgrounds and certifications.
- Both professionals can provide psychotherapy, but only psychologists can administer and interpret psychological tests.
Therapist vs Psychologist
A therapist is a broad term that refers to a mental health professional who provides counseling services to individuals, couples, families, or groups. A psychologist is a mental health professional who has completed a doctoral degree in psychology and is licensed to practice psychology.
A therapist is a trained professional in psychotherapy who helps people treat and rehabilitate through emotional difficulties as a result of traumatic experiences, addictions, etc. Therapy is a broad field of study, and there are several types of designated professionals, such as counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, etc.
A psychologist is a professional who practices human psychology by experimenting, observing, executing, and noticing how individual patients relate to one another and their surroundings. Psychologists are also a type of therapist. They have protected titles, and accreditation is requisite for licensing from the country’s specified institution.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Therapist | Psychologist |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | Trained in Psychotherapy. | Trained in Psychology. |
| Approach | Therapists follow a CBT approach. | Psychologists follow seven major approaches. |
| Licensing | Some therapists are not regulated by any licensing board. | Accreditation is a requisite for licensing. |
| Types | Behavioral, Addiction, Child, Cognitive, etc. | Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Biological, etc. |
| Purpose | Help people with emotional difficulties. | Diagnosing psychological illnesses. |
What is a Therapist?
A Therapist is a professional expert who is highly trained in providing treatment and rehabilitation to people with emotional difficulties as a result of traumatic experiences, addictions, behavioral conditions, etc. Therapy is a broad field and includes a wide range of designated professionals, including psychotherapists, psychologists, counselors, etc.
A Therapist is directly not a defined occupational title, but there are types of therapists. The term therapist defines this range of professionals altogether. Since the occupations are divided into various categories, some of these professionals are regulated by licensing boards, whereas some of them are not.
Being a broader field, several therapists are referred depending on the patient. For example, a professional counselor helps the patient to cope with emotional difficulties, a psychiatrist prescribes medication to patients with mental illnesses, and psychologists are experts in understanding how the mind works.
Most therapists follow a CBT approach to treating patients. CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is based on the foundation that thoughts, emotions, and actions are interconnected with each other. The sole purpose of the CBT approach is to replace demotivational, self-harming, or self-defeating thoughts with more encouraging, lively, and motivational ideas. CBT is widely considered the gold standard of psychotherapy.
What is a Psychologist?
A psychologist is a professional who practices human psychology by experimenting, observing, executing, and noticing how individual patients relate to one another and their surroundings. Psychologists are also a type of therapist. In the long term, psychologists help patients improve their decision-making, managing extensive stress and real-life behavioral traits based on understanding past experiences and illnesses to predict future mental health.
To become a psychologist, an individual has first to complete a bachelor’s degree with honors in psychology, followed by a master’s degree in the specified field. For some psychological studies, a doctorate or a Ph.D. is also necessary. After completing the required studies, students are licensed and trained with real-time patients before they can pursue psychology as a professional career. Psychologists have protected titles, and accreditation is requisite for licensing from the country’s specified institution.
There are namely 7 major perspectives in modern psychology that sum up the human mind. These perspectives include psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, cross-cultural, evolutionary, and humanistic. The perspective of diagnosis depends on the patient’s symptoms. In most cases, the treatment is continued for a long time to understand the cause in depth. Furthermore, medications are also referred to side-by-side.
Main Differences Between Therapist and Psychologist
- Therapists are part of a much broader field as compared to psychologists.
- Therapists are trained in psychotherapy, whereas psychologists are trained in both psychotherapy and human psychology.
- Some types of therapists do not require licensing, whereas all psychologists require an accredited license.
- Therapeutic treatments are short-term and long-term, whereas psychological treatments are long-term.
- Some therapeutic treatments, such as counseling, do not require medications, whereas psychological treatments require medications.
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/493591
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1998-06424-000
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The article provides essential information about the major perspectives in modern psychology, which adds depth to the understanding of the field. The detailed explanation of the process of becoming a psychologist is valuable.
The article offers valuable insights into the broader field of therapy and the specifics of psychology. The detailed explanation provided can help individuals make informed choices about their mental health care.
It’s important that the article highlights that while some therapists may not require licensing, all psychologists do. This insight can help people make informed decisions about the mental health professional they choose to seek help from.
This article emphasizes the importance of seeking help for mental health issues. The information provided about the educational background and accreditation of psychologists is useful for those who are considering a career in this field.
The differences in approach and purpose between therapists and psychologists are clearly outlined. The article effectively illustrates the therapeutic and psychological treatments and the varying requirements for each.
The article is very informative and offers an in-depth look at the difference between therapists and psychologists. This is a much-needed discussion, as mental health is a major public health concern. The references provided solidify the claims made in the article.
The article does a great job of distinguishing between the roles and specialties of therapists and psychologists. It effectively addresses the qualifications, licensing, and types of treatment provided by each mental health professional.
The detailed comparison table serves as a useful guide for individuals who are interested in seeking help from a mental health professional but are unsure about the differences between therapists and psychologists. The role of both professionals is explained very clearly.