Understanding Common Mental Health Therapist Licenses

I know firsthand that searching for the right therapist can feel like a daunting process. Years ago, I was looking for my own therapist for the first time, and during my search, I felt lost and overwhelmed looking at the different licensure acronyms and therapist credentials. I had no idea how to choose the right therapist. I didn’t even know how many different types of therapists there were.

If you’ve ever been in a similar position, you are not alone! Now, as a therapist and a social worker myself, I’ve developed a much clearer sense of how different mental health therapist license types approach therapy.

There are many different types of mental health therapist licenses, including counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and psychologists. Each of these licensure types are required to complete a graduate-level degree, several years of experiential training under supervision, and pass a licensure exam. They are all adequately trained to treat your mental health.

Although I may be a bit biased (yay social work!), I want to emphasize that none of these licensure types are better or worse than the others. They simply undergo different training which informs their clinical perspective and focus. This ultimately influences the way they handle treatment.

Here is a quick guide to help you make sense of the acronyms you might be seeing, what each license type is trained to focus on, and how therapists with each license type can help support you in different ways.

Overview of Key Therapist Licenses

What Does Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) mean?

LPCs and LPCCs are counselors. Licensed counselors focus on mental health counseling, potentially working with individuals, groups, or families. They maintain a clinical focus, treating and helping you manage specific mental health conditions. Specifically, a counselor will aid you in increasing your insight into your challenges while helping you develop necessary skills to reach your goals.

There are a few regional differences in therapist licensing that may be helpful to consider. For example, in some states, an LPC is called a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC).

What Does LCSW and LICSW mean?

Clinical social workers (or LCSWs/LICSWs) also work as therapists, providing mental health support for individuals and families. Social workers maintain a holistic approach to mental health care. They are specifically trained to consider social, cultural, environmental, and other factors that may impact your mental health. A social worker can help you understand these external influences and the context they provide for your mental health while helping you reach your goals.

You might also see the acronyms LMSWs or LGSWs—that just means the social worker is still under supervision and not yet full licensed. In Michigan, where I live and work, the clinical social work license is called licensed master’s social worker (LMSW). The different words or acronyms are just a regional difference in therapy licensing terms. In some states, social workers can also be. LISW (stands for licensed independent social worker), which means they are not clinical social workers and often work in social service or macro settings.

What Does LMFT mean?

LMFTs are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. LMFTs treat individuals, couples, and families, often considering how the family unit or interpersonal relationships interact with mental health. If you’re looking for a therapist for your family or partnership, an LMFT might be a good choice. They can help you understand and improve your communication. LMFTs often work with individuals too, especially if your primary concerns include relational dynamics or family stress.

What Does PhD and PsyD mean?

A PhD in Psychology and a PsyD are two ways to achieve the same title – Licensed Psychologist. In general, PsyD and PhD programs both include clinical training, although PhD programs often emphasize research and experimentation.

What qualifies someone as a licensed psychologist? Licensed psychologists are unique in that they are qualified to administer complex diagnostic assessments. Depending on state-specific requirements, the other licensure types are permitted to provide mental health diagnoses. However, psychologists are specifically trained to administer more complex diagnostic procedures and can provide you with a full diagnostic report.

Overview of Additional Mental Health Credentials

As I mentioned before, some of these acronyms will vary based on state licensing and regional requirements. For example, someone who is a LGSW in Minnesota might be considered a LMSW in Michigan, but they might have gone to the same university for their MSW (Master of Social Work degree) and both be working towards their LCSW licensure (I know, it’s confusing!).

You also might come across pre-licensed or associate level therapists, or ones with just a “MA” behind their names. These are therapists who have completed their education program and are currently working under the supervision of a fully licensed therapist in their field.

Choosing the Right Therapist Based on Licensing

Now that you have a greater understanding about the different therapist licensure types, it may be time to consider which therapist might be the best fit for you.

When choosing a therapist, it can be helpful to first identify what your needs are. It’s okay if you don’t have a specific detailed list of everything you’d like to work on, but I invite you to spend some time considering this.

Therapist Selection Tips

Ellie makes it easy when choosing a therapist. You are able to search therapists near you (we are located in 39 states!), compare therapist credentials for your needs, and read bios on our website.

You may consider also exploring Psychology Today’s Find a Therapist tool, where you can filter by insurance, specializations, age range, and more. Another tip for finding licensed therapists in your network is to explore your insurance company’s provider directory, so you can make sure they’re in network and covered by your benefits. For more info on navigating insurance, check out our FAQs page.

What to Ask When Choosing a Mental Health Professional

What are your specializations as a therapist?
Do you have experience treating ______________?
What is your approach to treating ______________?
Are you in network with my insurance?
Will sessions be covered by insurance?
How do you measure progress?

Beyond these questions, it’s important to also consider practical and emotional fit. Consider session length, availability, option for telehealth, etc. It’s important to ensure that these practical details are aligned with what you need. Additionally, consider how you feel emotionally after meeting this person. Do you feel comfortable? First sessions can feel hard, but do you see yourself becoming comfortable enough to open up to this person? It’s important that you feel safe and heard in the therapy space.

Other Things to Keep in Mind About Insurance

Mental health insurance coverage can differ depending on the insurance provider and your specific plan. Some insurance plans will only cover therapy with specific license types. Additionally, insurance companies will typically only cover therapy if a diagnosis is provided. Some insurance companies may even require a referral or pre-authorization prior to beginning therapy. Figuring out mental health insurance and licensing rules can feel a bit confusing.

Your insurance provider and your potential therapist can help you navigate this. You might consider speaking with your insurance provider or taking a look at your explanation of benefits to find out the specifics about what your insurance will cover, including your deductible and copay. Being informed about your coverage will help prevent any surprise bills down the line. When seeking therapy, it also helps to confirm with the therapist that they are in network with your insurance and ask any billing questions you may have.

Conclusion

This guide is designed to help you make your decision, not overwhelm you. While credentials and qualifications are important to consider, you truly can’t go wrong with choosing a therapist whom you feel comfortable talking with, and trust. I wish you the best of luck in your search!