How Do I Know My Psychologist Online is Qualified or What Do the Different Psychology Degrees Mean?

by Jef Gazley, M.S., LMFT, DCC

The designation of Psychologist is confusing to the general public and even to people in the field. A Ph.D Psychologist most likely has a B.A. in Psychology and then has gone on to four years of graduate work in Psychology, often focusing on research and testing. A Clinical Psychologist or Online Psychologist does specialize in therapy, but again many focus on testing. People with this degree can go into private practice, teach, do research, or work for the private sector.

A Masters level Psychologist or Counselor often has a B.A. in Psychology, but many have degrees in an unrelated field like English. They take a 2 year graduate course in Counseling requiring a year of internship with a supervisor in the field. Then they are either certified in the State or licensed. The abbreviations vary. M.A., M.S., M.S.W., and M.C. are the most common and are comparable. The State often makes further distinctions and licenses in Substance Abuse, Marriage and Family, and General Counseling. In the last 10 years most of the therapy in this country has been done by people with their Masters degree in Counseling.

It is also possible to have a Ph.D in Counseling. An Ed.D is similar, but the degree is under the College of Education. All of the Counseling designations allow people to go into private practice, hospitals, counseling in schools, human resource, teaching, research, or the public sector.

People who get their degree in Social Work usually work in social agencies and focus on community liaison. They help people connect with social resources. They often work in community clinics, Child Protective Services, and hospitals. Some teach and some are engaged in private counseling practice. The State again licenses or certifies them. There is no real distinction in quality between being licensed or certified. The State just offers one or the other. Insurance companies often are more willing to pay if a State offers licensure. An M.A. in Social Work means the person has a Masters degree, a two year program. It is also possible to get a doctorate in Social Work.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners have a regular four-year degree in Nursing School and then 4 years of studying psychiatry and medication. They can prescribe medication and often engage in counseling.

A Psychiatrist studies general pre-medicine classes in undergraduate school and then goes to 4 years of Medical School and only then spends 1 or 2 years in an internship studying psychology. Psychiatrists these days focus almost exclusively on prescribing medication and do very little therapy.

Jef Gazley, M.S., LMFT, DCC