Therapy Can Help in Divorce

Title: Psychologist
Degree(s): PsyD, PhD, EdD
Education: Minimum of 4 - 5 years of graduate school and training.
What they do: Psychologists treat a wide variety of mental health issues, ranging from relationship problems to psychiatric problems. Psychologists will typically have a number of areas of expertise and a strong working knowledge of many others. Psychologists utilize many forms of therapy, including (but not limited to): behavioral therapy, psychoanalytically-oriented therapy, family therapy, couples’ therapy, and strength-based therapies. Psychologists typically meet with clients 1 to 2 times per week. Psychologists are the only mental health professionals who can conduct psychological testing.
What they don’t do: Psychologists do not prescribe medication.
Typical Cost: $100 - $200.
Organization: American Psychological Association

Title: Marriage and Family Therapist, Therapists
Degree(s): MFT, MFCC, MA, MS, LPC
Education: 2- 3 years of graduate school and training.
What they do: MFTs provide psychotherapy to address mental health issues within couples and family systems. MFTs’ training is geared specifically toward treating emotional disturbances within the context of families and couples and typically do not treat individuals for as wide a range of psychological problems as psychologists. MFTs usually meet with clients 1 – 2 times per week. Master’s level therapists, including LPCs (licensed professional counselors) typically have training with a focus beyond couples and family systems, but receive less training and clinical experience than psychologists.
What they don’t do: These practitioners do not prescribe medication or conduct psychological testing.
Typical Cost: $65 and up.
Organization: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists

Title: Clinical Social Worker
Degree(s): MSW (master of social work), LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), DSW (doctor of social work)
Education: Education ranges from 2 – 5 years.
What they do: Clinical social workers can provide psychotherapy and may have specific areas of specialization. By nature, social workers have less training in therapeutic technique and additional training in helping clients across additional aspects of life, such as accessing/securing supportive social services, which may include medical, financial, emotional and housing resources.  
What they don’t do: Clinical social workers do not conduct psychological testing or prescribe medication.
Cost: $65 and up Organization: National Association of Social Workers, Clinical Social Work Association  

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

1. It is common for an individual to have both a psychiatrist and a therapist as the two approaches are complementary.
2. Fees are approximated and can vary widely by location. Also, it is common for mental health practitioners to have a sliding scale and may provide services for very low, or no, fee at all. In general, MFTs and social workers charge less than psychologists, analysts and psychiatrists.    
3. Each state and some larger metropolitan areas typically have their own associations for each of the professions listed.    
4. Other degrees exist in the field of mental health. These are the degrees most likely to be encountered by someone seeking a therapist to address divorce issues.