Yes, a psychologist can work as a therapist, but “therapist” is a broad umbrella term, and not every therapist is a psychologist. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree and a specific license, while many therapists hold master’s-level licenses in counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy.
The American Psychological Association defines a therapist as a professional trained to provide therapy, and a psychologist as someone with a doctoral degree in psychology. This distinction matters when you are choosing care, because it affects training, scope of practice, and what services a provider can offer.
Below, you will see a three-way comparison of therapists, psychologists, and counselors, what makes each title different in New Jersey, and how to decide which you need for your situation.
Therapist vs. Psychologist vs. Counselor: Quick Comparison
| Title | Training / Degree | License (NJ) | Can Prescribe? | Typically Helps With |
| Therapist (umbrella) | Master’s or doctoral degree in a mental health field | Varies by underlying credential (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, psychologist) | No (unless also a psychiatrist) | Anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, life transitions |
| Psychologist (PhD/PsyD) | Doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) | Licensed Psychologist (NJ State Board of Psychological Examiners) | No | Talk therapy plus psychological testing and complex assessment |
| Counselor (LPC) | Master’s degree in counseling or related field | Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) | No | General talk therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, life issues |
| Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Master’s degree in social work (MSW) | Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | No | Mental health treatment with attention to life circumstances and systems |
| Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) | Master’s degree, specialized in family systems | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) | No | Couples, family, and relationship-focused concerns |
| Psychiatrist (MD/DO) | Medical degree (MD or DO) + psychiatry residency | Medical License + Board Certification in Psychiatry | Yes | Medication management, sometimes combined with therapy |
This table gives you the checklist most people want first. The sections below explain each piece in plain language.
What “Therapist” Actually Means
“Therapist” is a general term, not a single protected title. It is an umbrella that covers several different licensed professionals who provide talk therapy, including LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists.
In everyday use, people say “therapist” to mean anyone they see for weekly talk sessions. That is accurate in a broad sense, but it does not tell you about training level or licensing board. In New Jersey, the underlying credentials (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, psychologist) are the ones that are legally defined and regulated, not the word “therapist” by itself.
This matters for you because two providers who both call themselves therapists may have different degrees, different licenses, and different scopes of practice. One might be a psychologist trained in psychological testing, while another might be an LCSW focused on life stressors and relationships. Both can provide effective therapy, but they bring different tools to the work.
What Makes a Psychologist Different
A psychologist is a specific type of therapist with doctoral-level training and a protected license. In New Jersey, you must be licensed by the State Board of Psychological Examiners to use the title “psychologist” in connection with offering psychological services.
Psychologists hold either a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy, often combining clinical work with research) or a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology, focused on clinical practice). This doctoral training includes advanced coursework in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment, plus supervised clinical hours and a licensing exam.
In addition to talk therapy, psychologists in New Jersey are trained to conduct psychological testing and diagnostic assessment. This can include testing for ADHD, learning differences, personality patterns, or cognitive functioning, which is not part of most master’s-level therapists’ scope.
Psychologists generally do not prescribe medication. In most states, including New Jersey, prescribing authority is limited to physicians (psychiatrists) and certain advanced practice nurses, not psychologists. If medication is part of your treatment plan, a psychologist will often coordinate care with a psychiatrist or your primary care provider. For more on who can prescribe, see our post on whether a therapist can prescribe medication.
Where Counselors and Social Workers Fit
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are also therapists, with different training paths than psychologists. Both hold master’s degrees and are licensed by New Jersey boards to provide mental health treatment.
An LPC completes a master’s program in counseling or a closely related field, with training focused on talk therapy techniques across a wide range of concerns. An LCSW completes a Master of Social Work (MSW) with clinical training, often with additional grounding in how environment, relationships, and systems affect well-being.
For most common concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, or relationship issues, an LPC or LCSW can provide the same core talk therapy you would receive from a psychologist. The choice often comes down to fit, approach, and whether you need specialized services like psychological testing, which points back to a psychologist.
Should You See a Psychologist or a Therapist?
For most talk-therapy needs, any licensed therapist can help, and the best choice is the one you feel most comfortable with. Psychologists are especially useful when you need psychological testing, complex diagnostic assessment, or have a long-standing or treatment-resistant concern that may benefit from doctoral-level expertise.
If your primary goal is weekly talk therapy for anxiety, depression, grief, or relationship stress, an LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or psychologist can all be appropriate. The therapist’s approach (CBT, EMDR, psychodynamic, etc.) and your sense of fit often matter more than the exact credential. For a deeper guide on matching your needs, see our post on what kind of therapist you need.
Pro Tip
When you call to book, ask three questions: what their license is (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, psychologist), what approaches they use, and whether they offer the specific service you need (for example, psychological testing or couples work). Clear answers here tell you more than the word “therapist” alone.
Conclusion
A psychologist is a type of therapist, but not every therapist is a psychologist. “Therapist” is an umbrella term that includes LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, psychologists, and others, while “psychologist” refers to a specific doctoral-level license with additional training in assessment and testing.
Most talk-therapy needs can be well served by any licensed therapist. You may specifically want a psychologist if you need psychological testing or have a complex diagnostic picture. For more on choosing, see our posts on what kind of therapist you need and whether a therapist can prescribe medication.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr Stephen Oreski & Associates works with clients throughout Paramus, NJ and the surrounding Bergen County area. Call (551) 579-4441 or visit bergencountytherapist.com to schedule a consultation, and we will help match you with the right licensed provider for your needs. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you find the best fit before your first session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a psychologist the same as a therapist in New Jersey?
Is a psychologist the same as a therapist in New Jersey? No. A psychologist is one type of therapist, but “therapist” is a broad term that also includes LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, and others. In New Jersey, “psychologist” is a protected title that requires a doctoral degree and a specific license from the State Board of Psychological Examiners.
Can a therapist call themselves a psychologist?
Can a therapist call themselves a psychologist? No, not in New Jersey. State law protects the title “psychologist,” and only those licensed by the Board of Psychological Examiners may use it when offering psychological services. A master’s-level therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) cannot represent themselves as a psychologist.
Should I see a psychologist or a therapist in Paramus, NJ?
Should I see a psychologist or a therapist in Paramus, NJ? For most talk-therapy needs, any licensed therapist can help, and fit matters as much as credential. You may specifically want a psychologist in Paramus if you need psychological testing or have a complex diagnostic picture that would benefit from doctoral-level assessment.
Can a psychologist act as a therapist?
Can a psychologist act as a therapist? Yes. Psychologists are trained to provide talk therapy and often work as therapists in addition to offering assessment and testing. Many people see a psychologist specifically for weekly therapy sessions, especially when they value the combination of therapy plus advanced diagnostic training.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? A psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) and provides therapy and testing, but does not prescribe medication. A psychiatrist holds a medical degree (MD or DO) and can prescribe medication, often focusing on medication management while a separate therapist provides weekly talk sessions.
Do I need a psychologist for anxiety or depression?
Do I need a psychologist for anxiety or depression? Not necessarily. Anxiety and depression are commonly and effectively treated by LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, and psychologists alike. The approach (such as CBT) and your fit with the therapist often matter more than whether the provider is a psychologist, unless you also need psychological testing.
How do I find the right licensed therapist at Dr Stephen Oreski & Associates?
How do I find the right licensed therapist at Dr Stephen Oreski & Associates? Call our Paramus office at (551) 579-4441 and describe your concern. Our team will walk you through provider types and approaches to match you with the right licensed therapist before your first session.