What is a psychotherapist and what do they do?

Psychotherapy is the practice of using structured, evidence-based talk therapy techniques to treat mental health conditions and support emotional well-being. A psychotherapist is a trained mental health professional who helps patients explore emotional and psychological challenges in life. They treat mental health concerns (such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress) in safe, practical, effective, structured, evidence-based talk therapy environments.

“Psychotherapist” is an umbrella term that can apply to various types of therapists with specific training and specialties. Depending on your needs, you might see a:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)

Psychotherapists play an important role in helping you understand your emotions and behaviors. Throughout your treatment, you’ll develop coping skills that allow you to move forward in your life and heal from trauma or any challenges you’re facing. While all psychotherapists are therapists, not all use “psychotherapist” as part of their professional title.

Psychotherapists use some core functions to help patients navigate everything from daily struggles to more profound, severe mental health conditions. Using a range of diagnostic tools and assessments, they can get a clear picture of where you are at the start of your journey and help you chart your path toward healing.

Psychotherapists will:

• Conduct assessments: One of the first things a psychotherapist does is assess your mental health. They’ll use your history and explore your current challenges to understand your needs and goals for therapy.
• Develop treatment plans: Psychotherapists tailor a plan based on your unique situation, including the type of therapy, how often you'll meet, and the goals you'll work toward.
• Provide ongoing therapy sessions: You’ll meet with your psychotherapist regularly. They’ll use evidence-based techniques to help you process emotions, identify and change unhelpful or unhealthy patterns, and build resilience as you grow and heal.
  

Psychotherapists can help you discover and manage common themes in your life, including:

• Stress
• Trauma
• Low self-esteem
• Relationship issues
• Grief or loss
• Chronic anxiety
• Depression
• Other mental health conditions
  

Common evidence-based modalities psychotherapists might use include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying negative, unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors so you can replace them with more productive ones.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT is excellent if you need to learn to accept pain or past trauma and want to commit to values-based actions in the future.
• Psychodynamic therapy: This form of therapy explores how unconscious patterns and past experiences might influence your current behavior in unhealthy ways.
  

Headspace’s online therapists are licensed and trained to provide effective mental health services virtually. A growing body of peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses finds that online therapy is as effective and offers the same benefits as traditional in-person therapy, without the added stress of getting to and from appointments.

Becoming a psychotherapist takes time and dedication. Their education includes extensive, rigorous training and licensure that ensures they’re qualified. Most hold, at minimum, a Master’s degree in a mental health field like counseling, social work, or psychology. Some even have advanced Doctorate degrees. Their training includes:

• Graduate education: Completing a Master’s or Doctoral program in psychology, mental health, human behavior, and therapeutic techniques.
• Supervised clinical hours: Before licensure, psychotherapists must complete hundreds, sometimes thousands, of supervised hours working directly with clients.
• Licensing exams: Psychotherapists must pass a state or national exam to become licensed. These tests are designed to assess their knowledge and readiness to practice independently.
• Continuing education: Ongoing learning ensures mental health professionals stay current with new information, best practices, and emerging research.

Therapists must be licensed to demonstrate they have the education, expertise, and ethical awareness to offer effective, productive, and safe care. Common licenses include:

• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): Their primary focus is on social work principles and systemic issues. They often advocate for their clients.
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Work with individuals, families, and couples to address a variety of mental health concerns or unhealthy patterns.
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): Specializes in the relationship dynamics of couples, partners, individuals, and families.
• Psychologist (PhD or PsyD): Has a broad understanding and can address a range of mental health conditions.

Understanding the distinctions between psychotherapists, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists is key in finding the right mental health professional for your needs. Their titles can overlap, so here’s an at-a-glance breakdown of their differences to help:

ROLE	LEVEL OF TRAINING	SERVICES PROVIDED	CAN PRESCRIBE MEDICATION?
Therapist	Varies	Talk therapy Counseling	No
Psychotherapist	Master’s or Doctorate	Evidence-based talk therapy	No
Psychologist	Doctorate (PhD or PsyD)	Therapy Testing Research	No (in most states)
Psychiatrist	Medical doctor (MD) or Master’s (with MD supervision)	Diagnosis Medication Therapy	Yes

Therapist: General term for a qualified, licensed professional who offers mental and emotional support; may or may not have formal psychotherapy training.

Psychotherapist: A therapist with specific, formal training in various evidence-based talk therapy methods.

Psychologist: Typically holds a doctoral degree (although in some cases, it’s a Master’s); provides therapy; does psychological testing; often conducts research.

Psychiatrist: A medical doctor (MD) specializing in mental health; focuses on diagnosing and prescribing/managing medication; sometimes provides therapy.

Unfortunately, there’s no playbook on when to seek help from a psychotherapist. That said, there are some everyday situations where counseling could be beneficial. If you’re struggling with anything from daily stress to a serious mental health condition, therapy can help.

It might be time to consider working with a psychotherapist if you’re experiencing:

• Mental health conditions: Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other conditions.
• Life transitions: Any major life transition can be challenging to go through on your own. Breakups, job loss, grief, burnout, or other significant changes can be easier to navigate when you have the help of a professional.
• Personal growth goals: Psychotherapy can improve self-awareness, relationships, and emotional regulation.

Remember, you don’t have to be in crisis to experience the benefits of therapy. It can be a proactive tool that helps you with basic life stressors, personal development, or building resilience.

Finding the right psychotherapist doesn’t have to be a daunting process, and it’s worth the effort to find a therapist who suits your needs. The following tips can help if you’re not sure where to start looking:

• Narrow by specialty: Finding a therapist who’s experienced in treating your specific concerns ensures you’ll get the best results. Whether you’re trying to recover from trauma, manage symptoms of anxiety or depression, or resolve issues in your relationship, take the time to find someone skilled in whatever you’re dealing with.
• Review credentials and bios: Don’t forget to check education, licensure, and professional background before deciding to work with someone. Make sure they’re qualified, experienced, and equipped to offer what you need.
• Consider therapy style: Some therapists use structured styles to treat patients, while others are more conversational. To get the most out of the therapy process, you should look for someone whose style aligns with your comfort level.
• Check your insurance network coverage: Therapy is often covered by insurance. Finding out if a therapist you’re considering working with is in-network can help you manage the cost of your treatment.

Working with Headspace eliminates a lot of the stress many people feel when they seek professional help. We match you with a licensed, qualified therapist based on your needs and preferences, making your search easier and your outcomes the best they can be. We also partner with major insurance providers, so you don’t have to worry about affording therapy.

Getting therapy shouldn’t add more stress to your life — it should be a simple, convenient process. At Headspace, we’re committed to removing barriers and making therapy accessible and affordable for anyone who needs it. Headspace therapists are all licensed, experienced, and trained in evidence-based modalities, offering you effective support in a caring environment. Virtual access and flexible scheduling mean you can book sessions when they work for you. And you can connect with your therapist from anywhere you have an internet connection — at home, work, school, or on the go. Over 70% of members feel less anxious or depressed after just a few weeks of therapy.¹

Headspace offers online therapy that brings expert care to you when, where, and how you need it. If you’re ready to take the first step on your mental health journey, explore your therapy options with Headspace and see what it feels like when care starts where you’re at.



^{1. Based on follow-up assessments completed 6–16 weeks after starting care. Therapist rating reflects average post-session feedback from Headspace Therapy members.}



_Sources:

_{1. Alavi, N., Moghimi, E., Stephenson, C., Gutierrez, G., Jagayat, J., Kumar, A., Shao, Y., Miller, S., Yee, C. S., Stefatos, A., Gholamzadehmir, M., Abbaspour, Z., Shirazi, A., Gizzarelli, T., Khan, F., Patel, C., Patel, A., Yang, M., & Omrani, M. (2023). Comparison of online and in-person cognitive behavioral therapy in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder: a non-randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1113956. Accessed May 27, 2025.}

_{2. Fernandez, E., Woldgabreal, Y., Day, A., Pham, T., Gleich, B., & Aboujaoude, E. (2021). Live psychotherapy by video versus in‐person: A meta‐analysis of efficacy and its relationship to types and targets of treatment. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 28(6), 1535–1549. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2594. Accessed May 27, 2025.}