TLDR: These are all legit! It’s the personality and modality that matters more for you 😉
The Essentials
The most common types of licensed therapists are:
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs)
- Licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs)
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs)
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs)
- Psychologists (PhDs or PsyDs)
- Psychiatrists (MDs or DOs)
Note: There are a few other kinds of therapists who work in specialized niches.
- Behavior analysts: people who have autism
- Art therapists: art to help people heal
- Addiction counselors are licensed like therapists in some states
The minimum level of education a licensed therapist can have is a master’s degree. Therapists can’t practice independently with only a bachelor’s degree.
Masters Level Requirements
To become an LPC, LMHC, LCSW, or LMFT, a therapist needs to get a master’s degree in their chosen field. Degrees that these therapists may have include:
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT)
- Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology
- Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology
- Master of Arts or MS in Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Education (MEd) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
More on Counselors
other types of licensing!
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Mental Health (LPCC)
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
Note: Obtaining an Associate License (titles vary by state) is often required for applicants who have met the education and exam requirements, but have not yet met the supervised experience requirement. Examples of such titles include Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA), Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, counselor-in-training, and Clinical Resident