Is a therapist a psychiatrist

A psychologist is a person who has studied psychology (the study of the mind). Psychologists may or may not be therapists. Those who do therapy are known as Clinical Psychologists. Other psychologists are engaged in research and a variety of other pursuits.

A therapist has special training in forms of interaction with clients that facilitate helping them identify and deal with behavioral and emotional issues. Therapists may be psychologists, Social Workers, or have other training. Most psychiatrists, who are also medical doctors, practice therapy.

The essential difference is training and hours in the field. Before licensing, all therapists -- regardless of their basic discipline -- are required to have thousands of "contact hours" where they have been interacting with clients under the supervision of a licensed therapist. In addition to contact hours, a certain number of hours of formal training are required (often received as part of their initial or post-graduate work), and a comprehensive licensing examination must be passed.

We do not recommend dealing with an unlicensed "therapist," regardless of who they are or what experience they claim. This especially applies to clergy, who may be allowed to practice, by law, without having the requisite training to do a competent job.