New York & New Jersey Private Psychotherapy & Counseling Offices

| | | |


 Bergen County
 Essex County
 Hudson County
 Hunterdon County
 Morris County
 Passaic County
 Somerset County
 Sussex County
 Union County
 Warren County


 New York City
 Nassau County
 Rockland  County
 Suffolk County
 Westchester County


 Individual Therapy
 Marriage Counseling
 Couples Counseling
 Family Therapy
 Child Therapy
 Adolescent Therapy
 Hypnosis
 Group Therapy
 Legal Evaluations
 Psychological  Evaluations
 Medication


 Cognitive-Behavioral  Psychodynamic
 Interpersonal 
 Hypnotherapy
 Play Therapy
 Others


 Psychologist
 Psychiatrist
 Nurse Practitioner
 Marriage & Family Therapist
 Social Worker
 Counselor
 Psychotherapist
 Substance Abuse Counselor

 

TYPES OF THERAPISTS

People seek therapy for many varied reasons. They may be suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, depression, or may merely decide that they are no longer satisfied with some aspect of their life or relationships and recognize that there are trained experts who can help them "sort things out". Understanding the difference between various types of therapists may help those seeking therapy to find a therapist for their particular needs.


There are different types of professionals licensed to treat psychological and emotional difficulties, including: psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, clinical social workers, professional counselors, and marriage & family therapists.

Psychotherapist

The term “psychotherapist” is not a term that implies licensure, but is simply anyone who practices psychotherapy. Since even an unlicensed person can call themselves a psychotherapist, make certain that the therapist is licensed in one of the disciplines above. 


Trying to decide which licensed professional is best for your particular problem can be confusing. We will attempt to explain the differences in training, experience and expertise below.

Psychologist

A Psychologist has usually received a doctorate from a 4-5 year program after the Bachelor’s degree dealing with the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of psychological, psychiatric, neuropsychological or educational disorders. Their doctoral degree in psychology can be a PhD, PsyD or EdD. Additionally, in most states, the psychologist must complete at least 2 years of supervised experience beyond the required coursework and has to pass both a State oral licensing exam and a national written licensing exam before being licensed. Psychologists receive intensive training throughout their graduate program in psychotherapy, counseling, evaluation and diagnosis of psychological-psychiatric disorders. Evaluations are conducted by the use of clinical interviewing and psychological testing. 

Psychiatrist

A Psychiatrist is a physician (MD or DO) who specializes in the field of psychiatry. After completing medical school in general medicine (not specifically in psychiatry), the psychiatrist usually completes a 3 year residency in hospital psychiatry. They may, or may not, be Board Certified. Psychiatrists are best trained to treat severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and severe depression, with medication, sometimes hospitalization, and in some severe cases, ECT. While some psychiatrists practice psychotherapy, most primarily do medical evaluations, diagnosis, prescribe medication, and then do brief medication follow-up visits. Psychotherapy for these patients is usually conducted by the mental health providers of other disciplines such as psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, professional counselors, and marriage & family therapists. Psychiatrist’s fees are generally much higher than those of other mental health professionals.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse, who has a BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) and advanced training at the Master’s level in psychotherapy, diagnosis, evaluation and medication management. Extensive training, supervision and experience is required in both hospital and outpatient settings. Nurse practitioners, in many states (such as New Jersey), must pass a national ANCC certification exam, in either adult or family (adult, adolescent, child, and geriatric) mental health/psychiatry before becoming licensed and can practice independently using both psychotherapy and prescriptive medication. They provide a well-trained (and usually lower cost) alternative to psychiatrists, especially for those patients for whom medication alone, or medication and therapy together, may be indicated. 

Dually Licensed Psychologist & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Our practice includes several professionals who are licensed both as Psychologists and Nurse Practitioners. These professionals offer both doctoral level expertise in adult and child psychotherapy and marriage counseling, along with prescriptive practice in psychiatric medication.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), completes a Masters degree (MA) in social work, supervised experience, and passes a national licensing exam. LCSWs provide psychotherapy, marriage and couples counseling.

Licensed Professional Counselor

A Licensed Professional Counselor completes a Masters degree (MA) in a mental health field such as counseling or psychology and completes a number of supervised hours in counseling and psychotherapy, before taking an exam for licensure.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

A Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) completes at least a Masters degree (MA) in counseling or other behavioral science, a certain number of hours of supervised experience, and passes an exam. The training they receive is almost entirely in couples psychotherapy and relationship theory. Most psychologists and clinical social workers are also trained to do marriage and family counseling and therapy and do not seek this specific licensure, since they are already trained and licensed to practice in this area by virtue of their psychologist or clinical social work license.

Substance Abuse Counselor

A Substance Abuse Counselor is not licensed or certified to practice independently but is able to practice in a drug or alcohol facility. Nevertheless, many do have a private practice. Since they are not licensed to practice, their services are usually not reimbursed by insurance companies. Their training includes courses in addiction and some supervised experienced. There is usually a Bachelor’s degree requirement. Many psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors have training and experience in treating substance abuse and do not seek this specific licensure, since they are already trained and licensed to practice in this area by virtue of their other license and training. If you are seeing someone who says he or she is a substance abuse counselor, check to see that they have an additional professional license to practice independently.


For more information about types of therapists or other issues call our offices to speak to a therapist.

Call Now for Your Free Phone Consultation

NEW JERSEY—NORTHWEST & CENTRAL
Hunterdon County, Morris County, Somerset County,
Sussex County, Union County, Warren County
800-870-8790

NEW JERSEY—NORTHEAST
Bergen County, Essex County,
Hudson County, Passaic County
800-213-HOPE (4673) 

NEW YORK
New York City, Nassau County, Rockland County
Suffolk County, Westchester County
800-867-3268

Psychotherapy & Counseling

Adult ● Adolescent ● Child Psychotherapy
Marriage Counseling ● Family Therapy ● Psychiatric Services
Psychological and Psychiatric Evaluations ● Hypnotherapy


Experienced, Licensed Professionals
Psychologists ● Psychiatrists ● Psychotherapists
Marriage Counselors ● Family Therapists
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners


The Right Therapist Makes a Difference
Let us Match You with the Right Therapist
 


 We Match the Treatment to the Patient
Not the Patient to the Treatment.

A CENTER FOR THERAPY



Panic Attacks
Fears & Phobias
Social Anxiety
OCD--Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
Chronic Worry
PTSD--Post
Traumatic Stress


Major Depression 
Bipolar Disorder 
Sadness 
Irritability 


Communication Problems
Infidelity--Affairs
Loss of Love
Lack of Affection
Conflicts
Anger
Jealousy
Conflicting Values
Sexual Difficulties
Pre-marital Issues


Emotional
Physical
Sexual


Substance Abuse
Smoking
Gambling
Shopping
Internet
Sexual 


Attention Deficit Disorder 
Child ADHD 
Adult ADHD 


Low Self-esteem 
Shyness 
Anger Management 
Loneliness 
Guilt 
Jealousy 
Mid-Life Crises 
Rejection 
Obsessive Love 
Excessive Worry 
Overweight
Smoking
Fear Of Flying
Speech Anxiety
Test Anxiety


Substance Abuse 
ACOA Issues 
Codependence 


ADHD 
 Behavioral Issues
Emotional Problems 
Learning Problems 
Parenting 
School Issues 
Step-Parenting 


Anorexia 
Bulimia 
Obesity 
Binging 


Conflict
Parenting Issues
Family of Origin
Conflicting Values
Blended Family


Coming Out
Acceptance
Couple Issues 
Fidelity
Children


Loss of independence
Loss of Friends
Isolation
Adult Children
Family Issues
Caregiver Issues
Illness
Assisted Living 
Long Term Care
Alzheimer's 
Abandonment


Death & Dying
Financial Loss 
Loss of Independence
Loss of Loved Ones
Loss of Job
Loss of Family


Adjusting to Illness
Adjusting to Disability
Chronic Pain
Caregiver Issues



Role Issues
Self Esteem
Work Stress
Success
Financial Concerns
Career Issues
Relationship Concerns
Sexual Issues
Fatherhood
Infertility


Avoidant
Dependent
Narcissistic
Paranoid
Others


Job Stress
School Stress
Relationship Stress
Separation & Divorce
Life Changes


Role Issues 
Career
Fear of Success
Dependence/Independence
Motherhood
Infertility
Menopause
PMS


 

 

Home  |  About Us  |  Fees & Insurance  |  Choose A Therapist  |  Contact Us

Designed, Developed & Promoted by
Higher Level Web Design