[QUOTE=sweepy62;3512195]Is there a difference as far as therapy goes between reg LCSW and psychologist phd?

There is no difference in therapy. The extra education needed for a PhD is of the clinical and diagnostic nature. They also do a good deal of clinical research. So the additional education gives them specific expertise, especially where testing and assessment is concerned. In my state, a licensed mental health counselor can treat, but cannot diagnose, a mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Psychological testing can only be administered by a psychologist. They can either be a PhD or a Psych D (doctorate in psychology).

But just for therapy, a psychologist (Psych D or PhD) is not preferable over a Counselor or Social Worker simply because of their degree. Their training does not encompass extra time for therapy. That is where the counselor comes in. Mental health counselors have training in psychological theory and have some diagnostic training, but their expertise is the actual skills involved in therapy. That is why you'll get the stereotype of the more dry, pragmatic phd and the touchy feely counselor. The training is quite specialized for each. In your case the psychologist may just have more expertise in the specific areas of therapy that you are working on.