People choose to see therapists for many reasons. Some may have transitional difficulties, such as a recent divorce, a career change, or other life issue. Others may have more challenging issues, such as depression, anxiety, or ongoing difficulties with relationships. If you are looking for a therapist, the available options may seem overwhelming. What do all those letters mean- PhD, MFT, LiCSW? How do you know what type of therapist is best? Where can you find a therapist? This article can help you understand your options and choose the right therapist.

*Types of Therapists*
The "alphabet soup" of therapist licensure can be confusing. Let's break it down to the acronyms you're most likely to see.

A psychologist has doctoral level training, a PhD or a PsyD. Psychologists also have had extensive pre- and post-doctoral internships and licensure. They are qualified to diagnosis and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

An MFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist. Generally, these therapists have a Master's level education and are trained to treat problems involving family life- marriage counseling, family counseling, and relationship issues. Some also treat individuals. Some states allow MFTs to diagnose, some do not.

A LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor. This is a national certification, at the Mater's or Doctoral level. These counselors treat individuals, but are not licensed in most states to diagnose. Often LPCs work with people with life transition difficulties, drug and alcohol problems, and career issues.

LiCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. While LiCSW's provide counseling, they tend to be more community-oriented and more problem-solving oriented, rather than provide psychotherapy. If you are having a very specific problem, or need referrals to community resources, LiCSW's will be helpful. Many LiCSW's run groups and do case management services for facilities and community agencies.

Pastoral counselors are clergy members with some amount of training in counseling. The amount of training they have varies widely- from none to extensive. Pastoral counselors may also have a religious view of your issues, which may or may not be helpful. Many times pastoral counselors are unlicensed, which means there is little oversight of the quality of care they provide.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who also have doctoral training in psychology. Few provide therapy. Psychiatrists generally

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