When you’re looking for a therapist, the alphabet soup behind someone’s name—LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PsyD, MD—can be confusing. What do these credentials actually mean? Who should you see for what? And, how do you find the right fit?

The decision to start therapy is very personal. Whether you’re reaching out for help with anxiety, trauma, relationships, or simply wanting to understand yourself better, it’s helpful to know a bit about the types of professionals out there and how they’re trained to support you.

This guide will walk you through the main differences between mental health providers, so you can make a choice that feels informed, empowered, and right for you.

Let’s Start with the Basics: Who Can Offer Therapy?

Not everyone who works in the mental health field is a therapist, and not everyone who offers therapy has the same background, training, or focus. Here are some of the most common types of licensed professionals you might encounter when looking for therapy:

• LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  
• LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  
• PsyD / PhD: Clinical Psychologist
  
• MD / DO: Psychiatrist (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy)
  
• LPC / LPCC: Licensed (Professional) Clinical Counselor (varies by state)
  

While all of these professionals can provide mental health treatment, how they approach therapy and what kind of support they specialize in can differ.

LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)

An LCSW is trained in social work and holds a master’s degree in social work (MSW), along with state licensure. Their training emphasizes understanding people within the context of their environment. They look at how the external systems they exist within impact their lives and the concerns they bring to therapy. These systems could include family, community, work, friends, school, economy, and culture.

What LCSWs Do:

• Provide talk therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups
• Focus on both emotional health and practical concerns (housing, employment, social support, etc.)
• Can have a wide range of specialities based on the individual therapist, such as trauma, depression, relationships, anxiety, or disordered eating
• Offer therapy approaches based on their advanced training, such as EMDR, Psychoanalytic, Somatic therapy, etc. 
• Work in hospitals, schools, nonprofits, community mental health clinics, or private practice

Great for: People who want a holistic approach to therapy that’s grounded in real-life context and relational understanding.

LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

LMFTs are master’s-level clinicians who specialize in working with couples and families, but they can also work with individuals. Their training is centered on systems theory, which means they view problems through the lens of relationships and interpersonal dynamics.

What LMFTs Do:

• Focus on how relationships impact mental health
• Help couples navigate conflict, communication issues, and intimacy
• Work with families to improve dynamics and parenting challenges
• Offer therapy approaches based on their post-graduate training, such as Gottman, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), or Family Systems Therapy

Great for: Couples or families looking to strengthen relationships, and individuals wanting to explore how their past and present relationships impact their beliefs and daily life. 

PsyD or PhD (Doctorate-Level Clinical Psychologist)

Psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology (PsyD or PhD) and are extensively trained in psychological theory, assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based therapies.

• PhD psychologists often have a stronger research background
• PsyD psychologists focus more on clinical work and direct service

What Psychologists Do:

• Offer long- or short-term psychotherapy
• Use evidence-based modalities depending on their specific training, such as CBT, DBT, and psychodynamic therapy
• Can provide formal psychological assessments (e.g., ADHD testing, Autism assessment, personality assessments)
• May specialize in mood disorders, trauma, neurodivergence, or more intensive therapeutic work, depending on their specific training
  

Great for: Those looking for therapy informed by deep psychological theory, or in need of formal assessment and diagnosis.

MD or DO (Psychiatrist)

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They’ve completed medical school, a residency in psychiatry, and are licensed to prescribe medication. Some also offer therapy, but many focus primarily on medication management.

What Psychiatrists Do:

• Diagnose mental health conditions from a medical perspective
• Prescribe and manage psychiatric medications
• May offer brief psychotherapy or collaborate with your therapist
  

Great for: People seeking support with medication for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or other complex mental health needs.

LPC, LPCC, or LMHC (Licensed Counselors)

These are licensed mental health professionals with a master’s degree in counseling or clinical mental health. The title varies by state:

• LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
• LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor)
• LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)

Their training emphasizes talk therapy approaches, human development, and mental health diagnosis.

What Counselors Do:

• Provide talk therapy for individuals, couples, or groups
• Use approaches like CBT, narrative therapy, and trauma-informed care
• Often work in schools, clinics, and private practice

Great for: People looking for a warm, practical, and solution-focused approach to therapy.

Who Should I Meet With?

Honestly, there’s no “best” credential. What matters most is:

• How comfortable and safe you feel with them
• The therapist’s experience and training in the issues you want to work on
• Their therapeutic style and approach

For example, you might find an LCSW or LPC who is highly trained in trauma therapy and incredibly effective for your needs, or if you need more in-depth assessments for ADHD or Autism, you may find that a psychologist is the better fit. 

What to Ask a Potential Therapist

Instead of focusing only on the letters after someone’s name, consider asking:

• Do you have experience working with [issue, identity, diagnosis]?
• What therapy modalities do you use?
• How do you structure your sessions?
• How do you approach the therapeutic relationship?
• What kind of clients tend to do well with you?

These questions help you get a feel for their style, regardless of credentials.

Why This Matters

Mental health support isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different providers bring different strengths, and understanding the distinctions helps you make a more empowered choice.

At Tate Psychotherapy, our team includes licensed clinical social workers and a licensed family therapist who are warm, thoughtful, and deeply committed to your growth. Whether you’re interested in DBT skills, parts work, trauma healing, or building emotional resilience, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Still Not Sure Who You Should Work With?

That’s okay. Choosing a therapist is a personal process, and you don’t have to have it all figured out. Our team is happy to talk with you about your goals, preferences, and options, to help you determine if we’re a good fit for you. 

Trust Your Gut

While training and credentials are important, the foundation of therapy is the relationship between the therapist and client. Research shows that a strong therapeutic alliance, which involves you feeling seen, understood, and supported by the therapist, is one of the best predictors of positive outcomes in therapy.

As you reach out to potential therapists, trust your gut. Does this therapist seem like someone you could grow to trust and open up to? Do they affirm your identity, culture, and lived experience?

Looking for the right LCSW or LMFT?

We’d love to connect with you. Reach out to schedule a free consultation, and we’ll help you find your best fit at Tate Psychotherapy.

Reference 

Stubbe, D. E. (2018). The therapeutic alliance: The fundamental element of psychotherapy. FOCUS, 16(4), 402–403. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20180022