Therapists and Counselors
Although psychologists and psychiatrists are able to provide and perform therapy for patients, therapists and counselors specialize in this. They typically have a Master’s Degree with an additional one to two years of clinical training. There are a number of different licenses and certifications available for therapists and counselors. Some of these are:
- L.L.P. - Limited License Psychologist
- L.P. - Licensed Psychologist
- L.P.C. - Licensed Professional Counselor
- L.M.F.T. - Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
- C.A.C. - Certified Addictions Counselor
- C.S.W. - Certified Social Worker
- CPC - Certified Professional Counselor
- PCC, or LPCC - Professional Clinical Counselors
- L.C.S.W. – Licensed Certified Social Worker
- C.SW. - Clinical Social Worker
Psychopharmacologist
Psychopharmacologists are medical doctors. They can be general practitioners or psychiatrists that specialize in pharmacology to treat mental and emotional disorders. Some doctors, such as pediatricians or family doctors may consult with a psychopharmacologist when developing a treatment plan for their patients. Some psychopharmacologists are involved in research studies for medications.
General Practitioner or Family Doctor
The General Practitioner or Family Doctor is normally your primary care physician and is the doctor that would provide overall care for you and your family. Some have elected to continue their education and receive specialized training and education in the treatment of mental health issues. This doctor can also provide referrals to specialists and would work with the specialist to create a treatment plan for mental and emotional disorders. They often receive information from several sources, including the patient, parents, teachers, and any specialists you see and coordinate this information to offer a comprehensive treatment plan.
Neurologist
A Neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. They are medical doctors but are not normally the specialist that would treat ADHD. Neurologists are sometimes consulted in order to rule out nervous system disorders such as Tourettes Syndrome, brain tumors or seizure disorders. They may also be consulted if any of these conditions are present as well as ADHD.
