There are many mental healthcare professionals.
How do I know who is right for me?
Mental Healthcare Providers
There are many different professionals offering mental healthcare and wellness services, and it can be difficult to know how they all differ in their scope of practice and professional requirements. While not an exhaustive list, here is a quick overview to help you decide what type of professional may be best suited for your needs at this time.
Some people hold multiple licenses, and in multiple states. If a professional is licensed, they must be able to provide their license number, and clients are able to file complaints with their licensing boards.
The brief descriptions do not fully encompass all professional requirements and responsibilities. This list is meant as a short-hand overview, and I encourage you to research further what each professional type offers if you are interested in learning more.
Psychiatrist (MD)
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD) who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness. They have a thorough understanding of prescription medications. As medical doctors, they must complete medical school and all post-doctoral training, and meet and maintain national licensing requirements. Health insurance usually covers services depending on the diagnosis.
Licensed Psychologist
Licensed psychologists must have earned a doctorate degree (PhD or PsyD), and have completed their licensing requirements under the clinical supervision of a licensed psychologist. There are several licensing boards overseeing psychologists in the US based on regions (several states in one region). Psychologists are trained in assessments, talk therapy approaches and generally work individuals on deeper issues. They do not prescribe medications. Health insurance usually covers services depending on the diagnosis.
Please note, a clinician may have completed a doctoral program (graduate school) and has not chosen to pursue this type of license.
Coach (Life Coach, Career Coach, etc.) or Consultant
Coaches are not required to hold a license with the state or nationally. It is a designation for a professional who is offering specifically goal-oriented interventions and behavioral tools. Coaches could be educated at different levels and have a varied career path that brought them to this profession. Generally, no insurance coverage is available for these services.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCW)
Social workers must have earned a master’s degree in an applicable field, and have completed 2-3 years of practice working with diverse populations and demonstrated competence in coordinating services with other agencies and providers. Their scope of practice includes case management, not just emotional support. They generally help people in challenging situations that require pragmatic solutions such as accessing medical, financial and legal services, and creating physical, mental and emotional safety in their daily lives. LSCW licenses are state-specific. Health insurance usually covers services depending on the diagnosis, although most social workers work for programs that offer services to people coming into contact with agencies supported by government funding.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Marriage and Family Therapists must have completed at least a master’s degree in an applicable field, and have to see clients who are children and families for at least several hundred hours under the clinical supervision of a LMFT supervisor for about three years before taking their licensing exams. Marriage and Family Therapists primarily work with clients on family system and relational issues. LMFT licenses are state-specific. Health insurance usually covers services depending on the diagnosis.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapists are people who have completed their graduate education and at least 400 hours of client contact, and are in the process of completing their remaining client contact requirements under clinical supervision. They have not yet met all of the requirements to be fully licensed in the state, but they are registered with the state. Health insurance coverage for Associate Marriage and Family Therapists may be limited.
Hypnotherapist
Hypnotherapy is not a nationally or state regulated profession. There are trainings ranging from dozens of hours to months of required learning about quality of presence, suggestibility, linguistic tools and similar topics (depending on their training program). No minimum educational prerequisites are standardized. Health insurance does not cover these services.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional Counselors have earned at least a master’s degree in an applicable field, and have accrued three years of clinical experience under supervision. They usually work with individual clients and tend to focus on shorter-term goals of behavioral changes and adjustments. LPCs must pass exams and meet quality standards of care as evaluated by their clinical supervisor before they are able to receive a license in their state. Health insurance usually covers services depending on the diagnosis.
Associate Professional Counselors have completed their graduate education and at least 400 hours of sessions with clients, and are in the process of completing their remaining client contact requirements under clinical supervision. They have not yet met all of the requirements to be fully licensed in the state, but they are registered with the state. Health insurance coverage is limited for Associate Professional Counselors.
Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator (LPF)
Psilocybin remains federally illegal in the USA, and this professional is only able to practice under Oregon’s state-legal license (since 2023) or under Colorado’s state-legal framework (since 2025). At minimum, a licensed psilocybin facilitator must complete a High School or GED degree, and complete a licensed training program (120+ hours), and pass their exams for licensure. They must offer services that include the use of the psychedelic substance only at licensed service centers (Oregon) or licensed healing centers (Colorado). Very limited supplemental insurance coverage has become available for these services.
End-of-Life Doula or Death Doula
There is no national or state licensing body overseeing these professionals. Much like hypnotherapy, training programs offer education about best practices, and program offerings differ in their comprehensiveness and scope.
