The Alphabet Soup of Psychotherapy
What type of therapist is right for you and how does therapy compare to coaching?
In recent years, as the demand for mental health services has increased, so too have the various pathways to licensure. At the same time we have seen an increase in coaching as a service for individuals looking for more specific types of support. As a person seeking help, you may be asking where do I begin and how do I know what is right for me? This brief post helps to clarify the distinction between the various types of modalities in psychotherapy and will go further to describe the distinctions between a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC/LPC-IT) and Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and a Coach.
For starters, there are several licensed mental health professions, each with distinct roles, training requirements, ethical guidelines and state licensure requirements. Below is a breakdown of the most common ones, along with links to their ethical guidelines.
-
Role: Provide psychological assessments, therapy, and research-based treatments for mental health disorders. Some states allow them to prescribe medications with additional training.
Education: Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology.
Licensing: State licensure required.
Ethical Guidelines: American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code
-
Role: Medical doctors specializing in mental health, primarily focusing on diagnosis, medication management, and some psychotherapy.
Education: Medical degree (MD or DO), followed by a psychiatry residency.
Licensing: Medical licensure and board certification.
Ethical Guidelines: American Psychiatric Association Ethics
-
Role: Provide therapy for individuals, couples, and groups dealing with mental health issues, stress, and life transitions
Education: Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field.
Licensing: State licensure required.
Ethical Guidelines: American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics
-
Role: Provide therapy and case management services, often working in hospitals, community agencies, or private practice.
Education: Master’s degree in social work (MSW).
Licensing: State licensure required.
Ethical Guidelines: National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics
-
Role: Specialize in therapy for couples, families, and individuals with a focus on relationships and systemic issues.
Education: Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field.
Licensing: State licensure required.
Ethical Guidelines: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics
-
Role: Work with individuals dealing with substance use disorders, providing counseling and support.
Education: Varies by certification level (associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree).
Licensing: State certification or licensure required.
Ethical Guidelines: NAADAC Code of Ethics National Association for Addiction Professionals
-
Role: Advanced practice nurses who provide mental health care, including therapy and medication management
Education: Master’s or Doctorate in Nursing (MSN or DNP) with a psychiatric specialty.
Licensing: Nursing licensure and board certification.
Ethical Guidelines: American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics
What about coaching? Where does that fit in?
Coaches provide guidance, support, and motivation for individuals seeking personal or professional growth. Unlike licensed mental health professionals, coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health disorders. Instead, they focus on goal-setting, personal development, and performance enhancement. Coaches may use many different titles to portray their services. Some examples may be: Life Coach, Executive Coach, Health Coach, etc.
Role: Helps clients identify and achieve personal or professional goals through structured conversations, strategies, and accountability.
Education: No standardized education or licensure requirements, though many obtain certifications through coaching organizations.
Licensing: Not regulated as a mental health profession.
Ethical Guidelines: Vary by certifying organization. Some recognized ethical guidelines include:
While coaching can be a valuable tool for self-improvement, it is distinct from therapy and should not be used as a substitute for mental health treatment. Some therapists are also trained as coaches and as we do at Expansive Wellness Services, offer coaching or counseling..
Below is a reference for how Coaching is different from Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Making the decision to ask for help is a big step for many people. It can feel heavy to have to choose the right type of therapist, figure out if they are a good fit and then begin the challenging work of giving them your background to get the help you seek. No one wants to go through that experience more than necessary. It is my hope that this information helps demystify the process a bit and enables you to start your personal growth and healing journey with greater confidence.