The Writing of Psychological Professions: Who's Who in Psychology

Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Psychotherapist
School Psychologist
Organizational Psychologist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist


With so many 'ists,' do you know who is who?
I hope the following will give you more clarity when you are creating scenes with mental health professionals in your manuscripts.

Clinical Psychologist: A professional specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, emotional disturbances, and behavior problems. Psychologists use talk therapy and can administer psychological tests. Psychologists have doctoral degrees such as Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology). They may have additional training in specific specializations as well.

Psychiatrist: A medical doctor with an MD (Doctor of Medicine). They completed a specialization in Psychiatry on top of their medical school training. They are qualified to prescribe medication.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC): A professional specializing in talk therapy with the focus on diagnosing and treating emotional and behavioral problems. They have a minimum of a MS or MA (Master of Science or Master of Arts) and have completed a two-year training program/practicum and internship, before passing their state board exam for licensure. Their focus in on the individual in counseling.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): A professional specializing in talk therapy with the focus on diagnosing and treating emotional and behavioral problems as it pertains to the family.  They have a minimum of a MS or MA (Master of Science or Master of Arts) and have completed a two year training program/practicum and internship, before passing their state board exam for licensure. Their focus in on the family structure, including marriage counseling and family therapy.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): A professional specializing in talk therapy with the focus on diagnosing and treating emotional and behavioral problems. Their training focuses on how the community impacts the individual and are aware of social support resources. They have a minimum of a MS or MA (Master of Science or Master of Arts) and have completed a two year training program/practicum and internship, before passing their state board exam for licensure.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Depending on the state of licensure, some states use this title to include all of the above Master Level Professionals.

Psychotherapist: Any professional who engages in talk therapy and holds a state approved license may use this title. It is the catch-all/umbrella title so to speak.

Organizational/Industrial Psychologist:  A professional who consults with corporations to improve the functioning of the organization. Has a PhD or PsyD.

School Psychologist: In most cases, they do not provide counseling. Their education is sufficient at a Master level. Their main focus is to administer testing and develop academic plans/IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and referrals based on the results of their testing for children needing exceptional education.

The Psychology of Waiting in Writing

Waiting. What is it about waiting that causes such anxiety?

Is it the sense of wanting to be in the future when you can only be in the present? Wanting to fast-forward to some ‘knowing time’ where you’ll have the answer or situation you desire? But how do we really know that that future place will be any better than where we are right now?

If you had a remote control, would you skip ahead?

If you did, you might hazard the chance of getting somewhere before you’re truly ready for it. In my opinion, the universe spins exactly as it should, and if we can align ourselves accordingly (be satisfied in the present moment, with exactly what is happening to you now), the anxiety of waiting is moot.

The illusion of the ‘As Soon As’ syndrome needs to be addressed. We’ve all been there at one time or another: As soon as I get published, I’ll be happy/satisfied/complete. I’m convinced that’s all a big fat lie. You will feel a temporary happiness around the moment you receive the good news, but it will quickly fade into that pesky human condition: the desire to achieve or arrive at the next big thing. Waiting to publish more books.

We are constantly working to cross things off our list and in doing so, get so mired in our lists that we forget to embrace and enjoy the journey.

Want in on a little secret? You’ll never be happy until you are happy as you are right now. In your current position, doing or not doing whatever it is that you are experiencing right now.

Take a deep breath. Feel the air fill your lungs. Are you in good health? Do you have plenty to eat and a safe place to live? Do you have people who care about you and support you? Are you free to say what you like (not at the expense of others) and live creatively?

If so, take a moment and give thanks for what you have. Being grateful for what is, is the first step toward true happiness.

Look at what’s already inside your half-full glass. Focus on what is there already and bow to its goodness. When you appreciate what you have, more things tend to jump into the glass without much struggle.

Remember, there will always be more, but you’ll never cross it all off of your list until you accomplish humanity’s last chore. Which is to die.

So embrace the present and be fully alive, engaged in all that you do. Turn your back on the wanting for more or the unknown. The unknown doesn’t matter. Today is perfect, even with its flaws. Problems teach us and grow us and provide us with opportunities to dig our roots in deeper.

Stretch out in your space. Give yourself permission to be fully alive. What would you do/feel/think if you weren’t waiting for anything?

Say, I’m not waiting, I’m simply enjoying myself in this moment.

Happy writing! And more importantly, Happy Living!

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References:
THE POWER OF NOW by Eckhart Tolle
A NEW EARTH: AWAKENING TO YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE by Eckhart Tolle
THE ART OF HAPPINESS: A HANDBOOK FOR LIVING by The Dalai Lama
THE JOY OF LIVING: UNLOCKING THE SECRET AND SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche