Psychologist, Therapist or Psychiatrist? How to Know Who You Need

You've decided it's time to talk to someone. That's the hard part. Then a new question shows up: who do you actually call? A psychologist, a therapist and a psychiatrist all help with mental health, but they do different things. Here's the plain-English difference, and the good news that you don't have to sort it out on your own.

The short answer

• Want someone to talk to and work through what's going on? A licensed therapist or a psychologist can help.
• Need formal testing or a clear diagnosis on paper? That's a psychologist.
• Think medication might be part of the answer? That's a psychiatrist or your own doctor.

What a therapist does

"Therapist" is a broad word. It usually means a licensed counselor (LCPC), a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or a marriage and family therapist (LMFT). These clinicians have master's-level training and a state license.

Therapists are great for ongoing counseling: anxiety, stress, grief, a rough season at work, a marriage that's stuck, a teen who's pulling away. If what you need is a steady, trained person to help you make real changes, a therapist is often the right fit.

What a psychologist does

A licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois has doctoral-level training and is licensed by the state. Psychologists provide therapy too. What sets them apart is that they're trained to give formal psychological testing: standardized assessments that answer a specific question and end in a written report.

When does testing make sense?

Testing is worth looking at when someone needs a clear, documented answer. For example:

• A school or teacher has suggested an evaluation.
• You want to know whether ADHD is part of the picture for your child, your teen or yourself.
• The symptoms overlap and nobody's sure what's really going on. Is it anxiety, depression, a learning difference or something else?

At Fox Valley Institute, psychological testing is done in person at our Naperville office. And because testing and therapy happen under the same roof, you don't have to start over somewhere new if the results point toward counseling.

What a psychiatrist does

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. Psychiatrists diagnose and prescribe medication, and most of their visits focus on that rather than weekly talk therapy.

Fox Valley Institute does not have psychiatrists on staff, and our clinicians don't prescribe. If medication seems worth exploring, your clinician can talk that through with you, and it's something you'd pursue with a psychiatrist or your own physician. Many people do well with counseling alone. Others use both.

You don't have to figure this out first

Here's the part most people don't expect: you don't need the right vocabulary to call us. Just describe what's going on in plain language.

Our intake coordinators take it from there. They check your insurance before anything is scheduled, match you with the right clinician from our team of more than 35 licensed therapists and psychologists, and find an opening that works for you. Once you're matched, you stay with that same therapist. No bouncing from person to person.

In person or telehealth?

Adults can meet with a therapist in our Naperville office or by telehealth from anywhere in Illinois. That's handy for busy professionals and college students with packed schedules. Counseling for children and teens, and all psychological testing, happens in person at our office.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a psychologist and a therapist?
Both provide therapy. A psychologist has doctoral-level training and can also give formal psychological testing. For ongoing counseling, either can be a great fit.

Does Fox Valley Institute prescribe medication?
No. We don't have psychiatrists on staff and our clinicians don't prescribe. If medication might help, your clinician can talk it through with you, and you'd pursue it with a psychiatrist or your physician.

Can psychological testing be done by telehealth?
No. All psychological testing at Fox Valley Institute is done in person at our Naperville office.

Do you take my insurance?
Our intake coordinators check your specific plan before anything is scheduled, so you'll know where you stand up front. Call or text us to get started.

Ready to talk?

Call us at (630) 718-0717 or send us a text through our website. Tell us what's going on, and we'll help you find the right person.

If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 any time, day or night.