A Mental Health therapist is a general term that applies to a wide range of professionals who offer treatment for a wide range of
mental health issues. Mental Health therapists are trained in a variety of disciplines and approaches. Most therapists have a
certain level of training and education at a university level. However, there are often significant differences in the length of
formal academic and practical training that therapists from different professions have had. Although length of formal training is
often an important factor in determining the competency of therapists, there are many other important factors, and there is no
guarantee that just because a particular therapist has had a long period of formal training at a university, he or she are a
competent therapist.
In choosing a therapist, it may be helpful to know a little about the differences between different types of mental health service
providers. Below, a partial list of types of therapists is provided. Click on a therapist type to find out more about the nature
of their work and training.
