Mental Health Terms and Roles Commonly Used.

How does one achieve and maintain good mental health? There are all kinds of mental health professionals out there. Examples include counselors, therapists, coaches, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

Where do I start? Do they take my insurance? How much will this cost? Will it even help? I'm not the one who needs help. These questions and thoughts are common. Here are a few answers that provide a place to start.

What is a Licensed Professional Counselor?

A Licensed professional counselor gives therapeutic advice. There is a licensing board in each state that governs their behavior. A licensed professional counselor (LPC) has a master's degree in counseling. As such, they have completed hundreds of hours of counseling, including an internship, under the direction of a supervisor. As they fulfill all of the requirements, they can continue their education for further certification. Likewise, by meeting specific requirements, they can certify as a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

Do Therapists Need Special Certifications?

Nowadays, it seems everyone is offering some sort of certification, regardless of the field you're in. However, the certificate is only as good as the instruction and requirements that go with it. For example, all levels of mental health professionals have specific certifications. Likewise, there are assigned acronyms to go with them. Continuing education is important. Therefore, it's essential to find someone who is up to date with current information. 

You can view our clinicians and the specific certifications each of them has on our website.

Here are a few common acronyms you may see in the mental health industry.

• LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor
• APC - Licensed Associate Professional Counselor
• NCC- Nationally Certified Counselor
• LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• AAMFT – American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• NASW - National Association of Social Workers
• CPC – Certified Professional Coach

What is a Marriage and Family Therapist?

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) is a licensed professional with requirements similar to an LPC. Each state has its own licensing requirements. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) offers further guidance for LMFTs. Likewise, they represent the professional interests of over 50,000 marriage and family therapists in the US, Canada, and abroad.

Why is Clinical Social Work so important?

Clinical social work is a specialty practice area of social work. For example, it focuses on assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances. You will find, individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities. Likewise, states require licensing and certification for services social workers provide at the clinical level.

Clinical social workers can perform services in a variety of settings. For example, they may offer services at a private practice, hospital, community mental health center, or primary care clinic. NASW advocates for clinical social workers through the legislative and regulatory process." - National Association of Social Workers www.socialworkers.org

In Georgia, a composite board governs professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. However, a separate board provides licenses to psychologists and psychiatrists. Likewise, there is a composite medical board that governs licensure. 

Is There a Difference Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists?

Psychologists and psychiatrists have doctorate degrees. A psychologist might have a Ph.D. or a Psy.D., and a psychiatrist has an M.D. or D.O. In most states, a psychologist cannot prescribe medication. So, if you need a prescription, you'll likely need to see a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, or another medical doctor. Many psychologists and psychiatrists offer psychotherapy like counselors, therapists, and social workers do. However, due to more formal education and training, they can provide more in-depth testing.

What Are Mental Health Coaches?

A coach, also known as a life coach, might have a graduate or doctoral degree, but they are not required to have any degree at all. Often, counselors or other mental health professionals obtain a coaching certification, and coaching is a service they provide. A Certified Professional Coach(CPC) can help you move forward and realize your goals. They provide accountability and have skills to help you become your best self. They are focused on moving forward. Likewise, coaches can help you with grief and loss, recovery, trauma, coping skills, parenting skills, and many other areas. However, if you need help with diagnosing and treating a mental illness, they are not licensed to do so. Only professionals with a master's level or higher can provide such services.

Get Started

We can all use help on our journey. Talking to a coach is a good starting point as they can guide you to the help you need. For example, you may be ready to work with a coach to help elevate your performance and achieve your goals. Likewise, you may need to see a counselor to work through some past trauma. Maybe you're in need of a marriage and family therapist to help with relationship challenges. Or, you might seek out a psychiatrist to get some testing done. Life is full of ups and downs and having a mental health check-in is a good thing. There are a variety of professionals who can help you obtain the level of care you need.

Similarly, there are a variety of services available from a wide range of providers. For example, you can find counseling for as low as $10/session. There are also many counselors who take insurance. You can also find introductory coaching packages. Keep in mind, however, insurance rarely covers coaching services. 

Don't put off taking care of your mental health; there are options available, and we can help you find services that meet your needs.