Psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.): These are professionals licensed by the Board of Psychology — (916) 574-7720  https://www.psychology.ca.gov/

They help patients understand and resolve various psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. They may provide treatment to individuals (adults and children), couples, families, groups, organizations, or businesses using behavior modification, psychotherapy, hypnosis, or consultation. They provide these services in in-patient psychiatric hospitals, day treatment programs, and out-patient offices. They develop, give, and interpret psychological tests. For example, they perform intelligence and achievement evaluations, disability evaluations, workers’ compensation evaluations, fitness-for-duty evaluations, and child-custody evaluations. They cannot prescribe drugs.

Psychiatrists (M.D. or O.D.): These are physicians licensed by the Medical Board of California — (800) 633-2322 or (916) 263-2382  www.mbc.ca.gov

They must have doctoral degrees in medicine, serve four-year residencies, pass the California State Board examination, and be board-certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. They are authorized to prescribe drugs.

Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT):  These are professionals licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences — (916) 574-7830 www.bbs.ca.gov.

They must have at least a master’s degree, some may have a doctoral degree, serve a two-year internship, and pass the Board’s written examinations. They can provide counseling regarding marriage, family, and relationship issues. They cannot prescribe drugs and have limitations in doing psychological testing.

Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): These are professionals licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences — (916) 574-7830 www.bbs.ca.gov.

They must have at least a master’s degree, some may have a doctoral degree, and 3,200 hours of supervised experience, and pass the Board’s examinations. They use psychotherapeutic technique, with individuals, couples, families, and groups to improve the clients’ quality of life. They cannot prescribe drugs.

Psychological Assistants (M.A., M.S., Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.): These are professionals registered by the Board of Psychology — (916) 574-7720 https://www.psychology.ca.gov/ — They are authorized to provide limited psychological services only under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist or a board-certified psychiatrist. Often these individuals are earning hours of supervised professional experience toward meeting licensing requirements. They must have at least a master’s degree in psychology and are not allowed to prescribe drugs.

Registered Psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.): These are professionals registered by the Board of Psychology — (916) 574-7720 https://www.psychology.ca.gov/ — to work at nonprofit community agencies that receive at least 25 percent of their funding through some government source. They must have doctoral degrees in psychology and have completed at least one year of supervised professional experience. They are not allowed to prescribe drugs.