You will find that there are many different degrees that licenced psychotherapists may hold. Here is a brief guideline:

• MFT (Marriage & Family therapist)
  

  Can treat all emotional issues with an understanding of their impact on relationships.

• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
  

  Can treat all emotional issues with an understanding of the community/social network.

• Ph.D., Psy.D. (Psychologist)
  

  Can treat all emotional issues and can additionally administer psychological tests such as IQ tests.

• M.D.* (Psychiatrist)
  

  Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating psychiatric disorders. If their practice is set up for psychotherapy, they can treat all emotional issues and additionally provide psychiatric medications.

* All psychiatrists are MDs, but not all MD’s are psychiatrists.

Any practicioner listing “I” after their degree is an intern, someone whose has obtained their graduate degree but has not yet completed their training for licensure. When selecting a therapist, trust your judgement. The particular type of psychotherapy they practice or the specific degree they hold may matter less then your comfort level with them.