[bos314489]

Hello, I have finally decided to seek some therapy and was wondering do most people seek a psycologist with a PsyD as a title (doctorate degree)? I found a lady who looks good but has only a MSW. Do you think a MSW could be equally as good? It is so hard to find someone good. Thanks!

[Perna]

I would interview with the two and see who you prefer, who "feels" better to work with. Ask them about their degrees, etc. Schooling is not all that important to me, yes a psychologist goes to school longer and studies psychology rather than social work/sociology but it is probably more important how long they have been in practice, how well you and they communicate with one another, etc. An MSW can certainly be equally as effective as a therapist (or there would not be such?) and it is possible they may be less expensive too, if money is an important consideration to you.

Check your state laws about licenses to practice, etc. and see what it takes to be a "therapist" in your state. Education is more about "what" is studied, what direction therapy might be approached from rather than how good a therapist one is.

[critterlady]

I really think an MSW, a PsyD, and a PhD can all be equally effective or equally ineffective, depending on what your issues are. To me, it's more important how well you connect with the person. I'd take an MSW with whom I connected over a PhD I didn't connect with, hands down. It doesn't really matter what degree they have if you don't feel comfortable talking to the person.

[DelusionsDaily]

I had a PhD and she was useless now I have an LPC(licensed professional counselor) and she is great! Title means nothing to me because you really have to try them out to see if it works for you.

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[Jdog123]

I agree that fit matters to the most. I tend to prefer PhDs (with experience) because of their extensive training (4ish more years than MSW) and therefore, often, breadth of knowledge. My T, a PhD, also teaches counseling psych to grad students, which means that she is continually reading current literature. This doesn't mean she's trying new approaches all the time, just that she's up on her field. I think it can also depend on what your issues are and to what degree mental illness is a factor. Often PhDs/PsyDs have a deeper understanding of mental illness due to their more extensive training.

The difference between a PsyD and PhD is that a PsyD is the focus is on learning how to conduct psychotherapy, less research. PhDs have more of a research focus and write a primary source research dissertation, though still have extensive training in conducting psychotherapy. PsyD is a shorter degree and doesn't give recipients the option of going into research.

[unlockingsanity]

You could have PhD but have little other training and be a crap therapist. Or, you could have a masters, do extensive other training, and a fantastic therapist.

It's all in who you get. Research shows it's the RELATIONSHIP that is healing, not the approach or qualifications. That being said, I wouldn't see anyone below a having a master's degree and I would choose someone who has lots of experience vs. a newbie.

Trust me, there is a lot to be said for experience. I wish I would have known that my first time around.

.
I slightly disagree because I think it matters what training they have had. For example, not all Ts can deal with eating disorders or trauma. Even if they SAY they can.
I once had a LCSW who worked in a hospital setting for years and then went into private practice. Hospital setting is very different from private practice and I needed more than "building skills" and getting me functional... which tends to be the focus of hospital programs.

The relationship is important, but if the T has not been trained to deal with eating disordered clients, for example, the T could do more harm. Alot more harm.

Trust me... I have been through this with a T that mis-represented who she was and what she was trained in...... and the "relationship" seemed good for months.
Then when the "symptoms" of my condition appeared in therapy, she terminated... explaining that basically she was not "trained" enough. (and told other providers this)

[Lauliza]

The person you should see should at least have a Master's Degree in Psychology (LMHC, PsyD or PhD) or Social Work (MSW, LMSW or LICSW) but from there it is about the relationship. A social worker has little education in clinical psychology - an LMHC (licensed mental health counselor at the Masters level) has more, at least in Massachusetts. It really depends on their approach and what you are hoping to get out of the experience. I may be biased since I am going for my Masters in Psychology, but I think some one with an MSW can be quite good but doesn't have as much clinical knowledge as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

As for the PsyD and PhD's - they are generally on the academic/research path and may be quite knowledgable on the current literature. But that that has little bearing on how good of a therapist they are.

[elaygee]

I tend to look at what specialty they have. Having DID - with lots of inner kids - I had really good success with an LCSW who focused on traumatized children. After she left, I found a PhD who had specialized in PTSD. Their specialties/experience help moreso than their degrees I think.

[feralkittymom]

I think you want an advanced degree and proper licensing to increase your odds of finding a competent T. A lot depends upon the issues you're having, how specific and serious they are, and finding a T with experience in treating those issues successfully. The fit is most important, but may not be readily apparent for a few sessions; the literature does show that the quality of the relationship is the factor that most correlates with successful outcomes, level of competence being equal.

One difference in the PhD or PsyD vs the MA/MSW etc are the requirements of personal therapy and supervision, but this highly depends upon the strength of the program awarding the degree. You should also find that a PhD in Counseling Psych vs Clinical Psych puts more emphasis on psychotherapy than research.

Also look to the environment in which the T practices: if the T is affiliated with an institution that has a good reputation, meets accreditation standards, etc, that can give you an assurance of competence that may or may not be as clear with a T in private practice only. Statistically the majority of abuse/ethical violation cases occur in solo private practices. There are lots of good Ts in private practice, but it's just something to be aware of.

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by feralkittymom

Also look to the environment in which the T practices: if the T is affiliated with an institution that has a good reputation, meets accreditation standards, etc, that can give you an assurance of competence that may or may not be as clear with a T in private practice only. Statistically the majority of abuse/ethical violation cases occur in solo private practices. There are lots of good Ts in private practice, but it's just something to be aware of.

Yes I agree here, since the Masters and licensing alone don't always tell you much about competency. It is very hard to find info about therapists online, so if they have experience with a major hospital, etc that is always a plus. It isn't the level of the degree per se, so long as it is advanced and they have the licensing. I have seen some awful therapists as well as a couple of great ones- but honestly more bad than good. The worst one was a Phd from an elite school. My best were a social worker and psychiatrist and I had a good counselor. There are plenty of very intelligent people out there who are not as good with people as they think they are.

[feralkittymom]

I think the opportunity to gain clinical skills is far more important than the overall standing of a university. Some of the best counseling centers which offer accredited internships are at big state universities and so provide not only more opportunities for clinical practice, but also a bigger pool of active practioners as professors and supervisors to grad students.

I have three very excellent therapists with three different degrees and training. The first was a licensed professional counselor. The second was a licensed pastoral counselor. My current is a PhD. I would say my current has more extensive and varied background and experience, has a vast range of knowledge and skills. He is highly trained in psychological assessment and has extensive educational background in clinical pharmacology (which is a huge benefit for someone with bipolar disorder).

[Jdog123]

Originally Posted by amee200

It is very hard to find info about therapists online, so if they have experience with a major hospital, etc that is always a plus.

I don't necessarily agree with this for 2 reasons. First, I went to one of the top psychiatric hospitals in the country/world and my therapist was not (nearly) as strong as others I've had outpatient. And it wasn't because she wasn't *my* therapist--I was very open to working temporarily with someone else. Second, a lot of top hospitals are looking for psychotherapists who actively publish and are generally active in their field. This doesn't always/often translate into a strong therapist.

[Daeva]

Originally Posted by bos314489

Hello, I have finally decided to seek some therapy and was wondering do most people seek a psycologist with a PsyD as a title (doctorate degree)? I found a lady who looks good but has only a MSW. Do you think a MSW could be equally as good? It is so hard to find someone good. Thanks!

Degrees don't matter (To the extent of knowing the disorders and techniques and stuff yes they do) however it matters moreso whom you can work with better, who you fit with. I see a Social Worker (LMSW), and she helps me more than any of my old psychiatrists or anyone with a doctorate has ever. Don't look at their education as proof of who will be able to heal you best. Go with who you get along with and connect with.