Q: I am looking for a therapist. How do I know if I should look for a psychologist, a psychiatrist, an LCSW or an LMFT?
A: When looking for a therapist you will want to consider your needs and find the best match to work with you. It can seem confusing as there are several specialists who are qualified to provide talk therapy. I will provide a basic explanation of the types of professionals available.
I will start by explaining that of all the fields listed, psychiatrists are medical doctors who focus on prescribing medications. They are not the professionals who usually provide talk therapy. Most often people will see another therapist in conjunction with a psychiatrist who is prescribing the medications to help with mood. Some psychiatrists will also provide therapy, but it is not as common.
Psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology. They can provide therapy but not prescribe medications. They can diagnose mental health conditions and help develop treatment plans and refer to psychiatrists if medication is indicated.
LCSW stands for License in Clinical Social Work. LMFT stands for License in Marriage and Family Therapy. Both degrees include a master’s degree and a license, which in California is obtained through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). LMFTs focus their training more on relationships and families while LCSWs focus more on navigating resources and the impact of social factors.
Any of these training backgrounds can provide valuable therapy to help you work through issues, build coping techniques, and create goals. Psychologists may be considered for more severe or complex issues, and psychiatrists are appropriate when you are looking at medication needs.
Other than degree, you want to look for someone who is the right fit for your needs and personality. Think about what you want the therapist to help you achieve. Is there a specific specialty you are looking for?
For example, some people who are struggling with caregiving needs want to find a therapist who is familiar with caregiver needs. Others who are experiencing a life transition such as retirement or loss may want a therapist who specializes in that.
Insurance coverage is often a factor as well. You may be limited to therapists who are in your insurance plan. Start with searching through your insurance plan. If it is Medicare, you can search at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/
Another option to search for therapists is Psychology Today. This website allows you to search based on insurance, demographics, and topics. Often it allows you to see the therapist’s background, photo, and sometimes even a video. Many of these therapists will offer a free phone interview so you can screen them to see if they may be a good fit. You can search at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Participating in therapy is a partnership between you and the therapist. You will get out what you put into it, and you want to do the work and be prepared with what you need. This means being open and honest, willing to collaborate and listen, and motivated for change. You may want to write notes ahead of time on what is important for you to discuss.
Understanding the types of therapists available is important, but ultimately you want to find the right fit personally. If the first person you meet with does not meet your needs, then it is worth the time and energy to try another person. While this initial process can be frustrating, once you find the right person to work with it will be worth the effort to provide you with a meaningful process to address issues, develop coping strategies, and improve your quality of life.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
