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What is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist?

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems. They evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders, other health and behavioral problems, and address a wide array of relationship issues within the context of the family system. Marriage and Family Therapists broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual to attend to the nature and role of individuals in primary relationship networks such as marriage and the family. MFTs take a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families.MFTs have graduate training (a Master's or Doctoral degree) in marriage and family therapy and at least two years of clinical experience. Marriage and family therapists are recognized as a "core" mental health profession, along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing.

What is a Licensed Professional Counselor?

In Georgia, a Licensed Professional Counselor is a highly trained, mental health professional who has met educational and training requirements, including at least a Master’s degree, four years of supervised professional clinical experience and successful completion of a state examination for licensure as LPC by the State of Georgia. LPC's are accountable to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapist and Social Workers.

LPCs work with children, adolescents and adults in short or long-term therapy based on client’s needs. LPCs provide individual, couples, family and group therapy in hospitals, clinics, agencies, mental health centers and private practice. LPCs also train and consult with business, government and nonprofit organizations.

What is a Certified Addiction Specialist?

Certified Addiction Specialist must meet possess certain standards. These include: A Masters or Doctorate degree from an accredited health care training program; Three years of post-graduate, supervised experience providing direct health care services to those identified with an addictive disorder. A portfolio of clinical training with a minimum of 120 hours of training in basic counseling skills including assessment, interviewing and diagnosis, and a minimum of 60 hours of training in each area of specialization

What is an LCSW/LMSW?

Clinical Social Workers are professionals educated and trained to provide mental health services for individuals, families and groups. Georgia is a state that offers licensure for those Clinical Social Workers, who practice psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups. Georgia requires basic standards of education, training and demonstration of competency for the licensure of Clinical Social Workers. Once a Clinical Social Worker (LMSW) meets and completes all requirements for licensure by the state, the therapist is referred to as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker is able to develop a psychosocial perspective of the individuals and families that come for help. From this perspective, the LCSW can provide individual, couple and group counseling, depending on the approach that seems most effective for the situation. The psychosocial perspective recognizes the uniqueness of each individual, as well as the various family and work systems to which they belong.