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I. Professionals with Doctoral Degrees

Psychiatrist

What they do: Medical doctors specializing in mental health. They diagnose and treat mental illnesses, prescribe medication, and often provide therapy.

Why you might see one: If you’re struggling with a mental health condition that may require medication, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

Approximate cost: $150 – $300+ per session (medication management and therapy)

Insurance: Generally accepted by most insurance plans.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• M.D. or D.O. degree (4 years of medical school)
• 4 years of residency in psychiatry.
• Board certification in psychiatry is also available through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

Total years of education and training: 12+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Psychiatrists are in high demand. Contact your insurance company or search online directories (Psychology Today, American Psychiatric Association). If you’re having trouble, ask your primary care physician or a therapist for referrals.

Psychologist

What they do: Provide therapy, conduct psychological testing, and research mental processes. They use evidence-based techniques to help individuals, couples, and families.

Why you might see one: If you’re seeking therapy for issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, or personal growth.

Approximate cost: $100 – $250+ per session

Insurance: Often covered by insurance, but coverage varies depending on the plan and the psychologist’s credentials.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) (5-7 years)
• 1 year internship
• 1-2 years postdoctoral training.
• Licensing requirements vary by state, but typically involve passing a national exam (EPPP) and meeting state-specific requirements for supervised experience.

Total years of education and training: 11-14+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Use online directories, check with your insurance, or contact professional associations (like the American Psychological Association).

Neuropsychologist

What they do: Assess and treat cognitive and behavioral difficulties related to brain injury, neurological conditions, or developmental disorders.

Why you might see one: If you’re experiencing memory problems, attention difficulties, learning challenges, or other cognitive changes.

Approximate cost: $150 – $400+ per session (assessment and therapy)

Insurance: Coverage for neuropsychological assessments and therapy varies by insurance plan.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) with a specialization in neuropsychology (5-7 years)
• 2 years of postdoctoral training in neuropsychology.
• Board certification in neuropsychology is available through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

Total years of education and training: 11-13+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, contact specialized clinics, or check with your insurance company.

Forensic Psychologist

What they do: Apply psychological principles to legal and criminal justice settings.

Why you might see one: If you need an evaluation for a legal case, expert testimony, or are involved in the criminal justice system.

Approximate cost: $200 – $500+ per hour

Insurance: Typically not covered by insurance for legal cases, but may be covered for some therapeutic services.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) with a specialization in forensic psychology (5-7 years)
• Supervised experience in forensic settings.
• Board certification in forensic psychology is available through the ABPP.

Total years of education and training: 10-11+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Contact your attorney or legal representatives for referrals, or search online directories specializing in forensic psychology.

II. Professionals with Master’s Degrees

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

What they do: Provide therapy, case management, and advocacy services to individuals, families, and communities. They focus on the social and environmental factors that impact mental health.

Why you might see one: If you’re dealing with challenges related to life transitions, relationships, stress, trauma, or social issues.

Approximate cost: $75 – $200+ per session

Insurance: Widely accepted by most insurance plans.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program (2 years)
• 2-3 years of supervised clinical experience post-master’s.
• Licensing requirements vary by state but usually involve passing a national exam (ASWB) and meeting state-specific requirements.

Total years of education and training: 8-9+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories (Psychology Today, GoodTherapy), contact your insurance company, or reach out to local social work organizations.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

What they do: Offer individual and group counseling for various mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues.

Why you might see one: If you’re seeking support and guidance for personal challenges, emotional difficulties, or mental health conditions.

Approximate cost: $75 – $150+ per session

Insurance: Often covered by insurance, but coverage varies depending on the plan.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Counseling from an accredited program (2 years)
• 2-4 years of supervised clinical experience post-master’s.
• Licensing requirements vary by state but often involve passing a national exam (NCMHCE) and meeting state-specific requirements.

Total years of education and training: 8-10+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, contact your insurance company, or check with the American Counseling Association for referrals.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

What they do: Specialize in working with couples and families to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships.

Why you might see one: If you’re experiencing relationship challenges, family conflicts, or difficulties with communication and intimacy.

Approximate cost: $100 – $200+ per session

Insurance: Often covered by insurance, but coverage varies.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from an accredited program (2 years)
• 2-4 years of supervised clinical experience post-master’s.
• Licensing requirements vary by state but often involve passing a national exam and meeting state-specific requirements.

Total years of education and training: 8-10+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, contact your insurance provider, or check with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) for referrals.

Mental Health Counselor

What they do: Provide counseling and support to individuals, families, and groups with mental health concerns.

Why you might see one: If you’re seeking general mental health support, guidance, and coping strategies.

Approximate cost: $75 – $150+ per session

Insurance: Coverage varies depending on the counselor’s credentials and the insurance plan.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Counseling or a related field (2 years)
• Supervised clinical experience
• Licensing exam (requirements vary by state).
• Some states have specific licenses for Mental Health Counselors (e.g., LMHC).

Total years of education and training: 8+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, check with your insurance company, or contact your state’s licensing board for mental health professionals.

Rehabilitation Counselor

What they do: Help individuals with disabilities, including mental health conditions, achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals.

Why you might see one: If you need support with adjusting to a disability, finding employment, or accessing resources.

Approximate cost: $50 – $150+ per hour

Insurance: Coverage varies depending on the services and the insurance plan.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (2 years)
• Supervised experience.
• National certification is available through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), leading to the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.

Total years of education and training: 8+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Contact your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency, search online directories, or check with the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) for a list of certified professionals.

School Psychologist

What they do: Support students’ mental health and well-being in schools.

Why you might see one: If your child is struggling with academic, social, or emotional challenges at school.

Approximate cost: Often provided through the school system at no cost to families.

Insurance: May be covered for services outside of the school system, depending on the insurance plan.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Typically a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree (3 years post-bachelor’s) or a Doctoral degree in School Psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) (5-7 years post-bachelor’s)
• Internship.
• State licensing or certification is required, which may involve passing the Praxis School Psychologist exam.

Total years of education and training: 11-15+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Contact your child’s school or school district to inquire about school psychological services. For services outside of the school system, search online directories or check with your insurance company.

Art Therapist

What they do: Use art as a therapeutic tool to help people explore emotions, improve self-awareness, and cope with challenges.

Why you might see one: If you find creative expression helpful for processing emotions or if you’re struggling with issues that are difficult to put into words.

Approximate cost: $75 – $150+ per session

Insurance: Coverage varies; some plans may cover art therapy with a qualified provider.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Art Therapy (2 years)
• Supervised clinical experience.
• Registration with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) leads to the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential. Board certification is also available (ATR-BC).

Total years of education and training: 8+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, check with your insurance company, or contact the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) for referrals.

Music Therapist

What they do: Use music to address various needs, such as reducing stress, improving communication, and enhancing emotional expression.

Why you might see one: If you enjoy music and find it therapeutic, or if you’re looking for alternative ways to address emotional or physical challenges.

Approximate cost: $75 – $150+ per session

Insurance: Coverage varies; some plans may cover music therapy with a qualified provider.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Music Therapy from an accredited program (4-6 years).
• Board certification is available through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), leading to the MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) credential.

Total years of education and training: 8-10+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, check with your insurance company, or contact the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) for referrals.

Dance/Movement Therapist

What they do: Use movement and dance to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration.

Why you might see one: If you’re interested in exploring emotions and experiences through movement, or if you’re looking for a creative approach to therapy.

Approximate cost: $75 – $150+ per session

Insurance: Coverage varies; some plans may cover dance/movement therapy.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy (2 years)
• Supervised clinical experience.
• Registration with the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) leads to the Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT) credential.

Total years of education and training: 8+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, check with your insurance company, or contact the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) for referrals.

Drama Therapist

What they do: Use theatre techniques for personal growth, helping individuals explore emotions, improve communication, and build self-esteem.

Why you might see one: If you’re interested in using role-playing, storytelling, and improvisation to address personal challenges.

Approximate cost: $75 – $150+ per session

Insurance: Coverage varies; some plans may cover drama therapy.

Education and Certification:

• Undergraduate degree (4 years)
• Master’s degree in Drama Therapy (2 years)
• Supervised clinical experience.
• Registration with the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) is recommended.

Total years of education and training: 8+ years

Finding a Practitioner: Search online directories, check with your insurance company, or contact the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) for referrals.

**Check back soon. We are continuously working on updating this information. Please let us know if you have any suggestions.

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