What Do Therapist Credentials Mean, and Does it Matter?
If you’ve ever been on PsychologyToday or even scrolled through our Team page on this website, you’ll notice that therapists always have some acronym following their name, whether that be LP, LPC, LLPC, LMSW, or LMFT. All these acronyms can be confusing, and you might be wondering what sets each credential apart and if it matters in your search for a therapist. In this article, we’ll go over the major types of credentials in mental health in Michigan and why they might matter.
LP (Licensed Psychologist) is a credential held by those who have a doctorate degree in psychology. That degree might be a PsyD, which is focused on training students to be clinical therapists, or a PhD, which focuses more on research and theory. In addition to therapy, these professionals are licensed to provide in-depth psychological testing and evaluations, such as evaluations for major diagnoses like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. If you’re looking for a provider who can offer both testing and therapy, a doctoral-level professional may be right for you. While doctoral level professionals have the highest level of education, they also command the highest prices from insurance companies and clients.
LLP (Limited License Psychologist) is held either by doctors of psychology in their first few years of practice or people who have their Masters’ in psychology. In both cases, these professionals will be supervised and supported by a more experienced clinician. The difference is that doctoral level psychologists will eventually qualify to have full independence, while masters level psychologists are always limited. Again, it’s important to note that these types of professionals often provide psychological testing and evaluations.
LLPC/LPC (Limited License Professional Counselor/ Licensed Professional Counselor) credentials are held by those who have earned a Masters’ degree in clinical mental health counseling. This degree prepares students exclusively to be effective clinical therapists. A limited license professional is in their first few years of practice and must be supervised by a fully licensed counselor, while a LLC has earned an independent license. While LPCs can provide some testing and community services, they are not licensed to practice psychological testing or social work.
LLMSW/LMSW (Limited License Social Worker/Licensed Master Social Worker) credentials are held by those who have completed a Masters’ degree in social work. Once again, an LL in the license type indicates that the therapist is supervised by a more experienced clinician. Master social workers are licensed to practice social work and may work in a variety of settings, but many chose to specialize in clinical therapy. LPC and LMSW are similar, but the main difference is that LPCs are solely trained to provide therapy while LMSWs are also trained in social work.
LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) is a license type held by a professional who has received specialized training in couples and family therapy. As the name suggests, these therapists are likely to offer family therapy. Other types of therapists may also provide marriage or family therapy, but only LMFTs have that specialized training and certification.
TLDR: For most people, a LPC or LMSW is a great fit for mental health therapy. If you’re looking for a specialist in marriage and family therapy, look for an LMFT. If you need in-depth psychological testing and reports, you want a LP.
We hope this quick explainer helps break down the types of licensure available for therapists in Michigan. At the end of the day, all these professionals are trained and ready to treat mental health conditions and help people discover their true potential. If you have any questions about your therapists’ (or potential therapists’) credentials, don’t be afraid to ask!
