Types of Therapists
[Ready for Fall 2026]
Modified: 2026-08-03 11:42 AM CDST
Many types of therapy and therapist exist. The common rule of thumb
is that if your current therapy is not working, switch. What kinds of
therapy exist? Here is a short and non-inclusive list:
- Clinical psychologist
- Scientist-practioner (Boulder model)
- Has Ph.D. degree
- Has one year internship
- Works with disturbed clients
- Counseling psychologist
- Scientist-practioner (Boulder model)
- Has Ph.D. degree
- Has one year internship
- Works with normal clients
- Psychiatrist
- Physician
- Has M.D. degree
- Has medical internship and residency in psychiatry (3
years)
- Works with disturbed and normal patients
- Psychoanalyst
- Psychiatrist or psychologist with all requirements above +
- Admission to a psychoanalytic institute (3 years)
- Performs own psychoanalysis
- Becoming rarer
- Social Worker
- Social work emphasis (i.e., a systems approach)
- Has MSW degree
- Has one year intership
- Works with normal and disturbed clients
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