Talk about doomscrolling. You sit there looking at all of that alphabet soup after people's names and wonder how to decide. You don't know who you need or what those letters mean. You just know that if something doesn't change, if you don't get help, you are going to lose it. Choosing the best provider to help you grow as a person can be a difficult task. Many of you are looking for help for a mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression. Many others have just had it rough and need a little help moving forward. Some of you feel as if your world has caved in, and you can't breathe. You can't see through the black fog, and you are never going to get through this mess. Where do you go? Where do you turn? How do you ask for help? I am here to help you untangle the web of craziness and figure out who you should call.

How do you know what kind of help you need?

Yes, the easy answer is me: I am Vickie, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Maryville, TN, and I help people from Knoxville and the surrounding communities heal from their trauma and adverse life experiences. I can help you. Click the link at the top of the page so we can talk.

OK, maybe you aren't as sarcastic as I can be, or maybe you are, and your response is something like, "Whatever!" I get it. Seriously, figuring out what you need is not always easy. Do you need a therapist, counselor, life coach, or something else? You can't make the best decision if you don't know who they are or what they do.

Most people look at insurance or talk with their doctor and go with that suggestion. You may want a little more information to make an informed decision, though. That is the purpose of this post: to inform you of your options for getting the help you need. You don't have to rely on insurance, and you may want to protect your privacy.

What do the letters after a therapist's name mean?

There are many types of mental health providers with letters after their names. My brother-in-law calls it my "alphabet soup." Each of us has a different perspective. We refer to these letters as credentials. Today, I am going to provide you with a list of some of the most common types and tell you what the letters mean.

LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. We are well qualified and focus on the entire family. We cannot prescribe medication, and most of us don't want to. We have a master's degree and are licensed to practice without supervision. We will most likely see you once a week for about fifty to fifty-five minutes. We narrow our focus to functioning within the family. Even though we may see you individually (I only see individuals), we are thinking in terms of how your relationships within your family are affecting your functioning.

LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. These clinicians consider their treatment from the perspective of society and cannot prescribe medication. When you seek therapy from someone with this credential, they most likely will see you once a week for about fifty minutes. Their focus, even if they are seeing you individually, is primarily about social functioning. They will focus on how you function in society as a whole and look for solutions to help you better understand yourself as you fit in with society. They have a master's degree and are licensed to practice without supervision.

LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor. These professionals focus on treating individuals and individual psychology. They have a master's degree and can practice. They cannot diagnose or bill insurance. The LPC will also most likely see you for fifty-minute appointments weekly. They will see you individually and are more focused on how you function as an individual rather than within a group, such as a family or community. Most people with this designation obtain enough experience to add MHSP to their letters.

LPC, MHSP, Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation. Professional counselors have the same master's degree and continue to get experience that teaches them more in-depth about diagnosis and treatment for mental health issues. This allows them to bill insurance and practice without supervision. They cannot prescribe medication.

APN, Advanced Practice Nurse. These nurses have continued with their education and have achieved a high level of competence in their field. They will specialize, for example, as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. They may also specialize in other areas. They will spend about twenty minutes talking with their patients and prescribing their medication. They have a master's degree and work with a medical doctor.

PsyD, Doctor of Psychology. Most of the time, these letters indicate someone who concentrates on psychological testing and research. They work hard to get to the exact problem and, most of the time, refer out for treatment. Sometimes, a psychologist will engage in therapy with their clients as well.

PhD, Doctor of Philosophy. There is a wide range of specialties for people with this degree, and it is not limited to just mental health. Most of the time, people with this degree are focused on research in their field of expertise.

MD, Medical Doctor. Medical doctors are educated as scientists, and their focus is on the science of the illness. This includes psychiatrists who will see you for about twenty minutes and then prescribe medication. Psychiatrists specialize in treating different types of mental illnesses. They have gone to medical school and graduated.

Is it safe to see a life coach or consultant?

Sometimes it is, but you should be careful. There are many other types of mental health professionals as well. You can find pastoral counselors and even alcohol and drug experts. In Tennessee, the counselors, marriage and family therapists, and pastoral counselors are all regulated by one board under the Department of Health, and the prescribers, like nurse practitioners and psychiatrists, answer to their own boards. Sometimes, people will call themselves a "life coach" or a "consultant," but within the mental health field, there are no requirements for someone to call themselves these things. You should use caution if you choose to seek assistance from someone of this level. They may have a natural talent and enough life experience to be helpful, or they may not. This is an individual decision, and you should make it carefully.

I am Vickie, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Maryville, TN, and I help people from Knoxville and the surrounding communities heal from their trauma and adverse life experiences. I can help you. Click the link at the top of the page so we can talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a therapist, a counselor, and a psychiatrist? The short answer is training and what they can do for you. Therapists and counselors (like an LMFT, LCSW, or LPC) have a master's degree and help you through talk therapy, but cannot prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and usually sees you in short medication visits. Many people work with both.

Do I need someone who takes my insurance? No, not necessarily. Insurance can help with cost, but it also means your diagnosis becomes part of your record, and it can limit who you see. Some people choose to pay privately to protect their privacy and to see the provider they want. The right answer depends on what matters most to you. I accept private pay and some insurance, but not all. You will want to check my website for that information.

Can a life coach or consultant provide therapy? No. "Life coach" and "consultant" are not licensed or regulated titles in the mental health field, so anyone can use them. Some are genuinely gifted and helpful, but they are not held to a state licensing board. If you are dealing with a mental health condition, choose a licensed professional and use caution before hiring someone without a credential.

Clinical Content Disclaimer

All clinical content on this website is written or reviewed by Vickie Starkey, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Tennessee since 2005 (License #579). Vickie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Carson-Newman College (1989) and a Master of Divinity in Psychology and Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1995), and is a Certified Master ART Practitioner since 2023. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Verify my license here: https://internet.health.tn.gov/Licensure/

Crisis Resource

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

References

Tennessee Department of Health, Health Professional Boards. (n.d.). License verification and board rules. https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards.html