PhD/PsyD What can a psychologist do that other mental health professionals can't?

[InfoNerd101]

In comparison to say an LCSW or LMFT? Since all can do psychotherapy, what else can a psychologist do?

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[erg923]

In comparison to say an LCSW or LMFT? Since all can do psychotherapy, what else can a psychologist do?

Last week:

I did a psychological clearance evaluation for a individual who is being worked up for liver transplant surgery

I had a patient (not mine) who I gave the MMPI and an RBANS and provided feedback to his therapist which will be used for formulation and treatment.

I worked a shift at my VAs ER to cover psych care and admissions.

I supervised the clinical work of a doctoral student in psychology

I provided peer review of complex behavioral health case to a large insurance company by reviewing clinical treatment notes in order to opine about any psychological evidence of the existence, severity, onset, duration and potential remediation of mental impairments. I then wrote a report that provided opinions regarding impairment, functioning, treatment and return to work concerns for that individual.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

As a quick note, there are ultimately few things other professions/professionals can't do, if properly trained. Psychological testing ventures close, but even then, physicians technically can sometimes administer such measures under existing licensing laws, even if not actually trained in them.

Perhaps a different way of phrasing the question might be--what are psychologists able to do as inherent parts of their basic training that other professionals generally/often aren't (without seeking additional instruction)?

 

[PsyDr]

In the last month:

1) testified as an expert witness using psych test data to pass daubert.

2) performed cognitive monitoring of a pt undergoing an awake craniotomy.

3) voted in one hospital's medical executive committee meeting.

4) a bunch of neuropsych testing which helped people get into nursing homes, get surgery, get appropriate treatment, etc.

5) consulted for three separate industries using my education in stats, cognition, outcomes, and anatomy.

6) reviewed treatment protocols for another hospital.

 

[WisNeuro]

We can fly. Some of us have X-Ray vision.

 

[ForensicPhD]

A more direct answer to your question is: testing is really the only thing you are not permitted to do without a Doctorate, as well as some legal assessments. But, a PhD will allow you to do things at a higher level. So, with your Masters you can teach undergrads, with your doctorate you can teach grad students students. With your Masters you can testify/do some court evaluations, but with your Doctorate you will get the more serious cases and can do all types of evals (except med evals). With your Masters you can supervise people and maybe be a director of a clinic/dept, maybe. With your Doctorate you have a much better shot at being a Director and can supervise more people. With your Masters you can administer some testing/assessments, with your Doctorate you can administer and interpret more in depth testing and evaluations. With your Masters you can work in the ER but report to a PhD or MD, with your PhD you can be the supervisor, or co-supervise. With a Masters you can work in a research lab, with a Doctorate you can run a research lab.

On an aside: monitoring the cognitive functioning of a pt during a craniotomy sounds fascinating. What an awesome experience. I never realized that's something psychologists did. Very, very cool.

 

[erg923]

A more direct answer to your question is: testing is really the only thing you are not permitted to do without a Doctorate, as well as some legal assessments. B.

This isn't entirely true. See my my 3rd and 5th point above. I also hold a faculty appointment in the medical school affiliated with this VA. Opens up teaching, mentoring, research opps and benefits. Not that I have time to utilize all those, however.

Note peer-to-peer requirements within the managed care and disability insurance industry for appeals or when doing reviews of service/requests for service.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Faculty appointment in a hospital (Ph.D., Psy.D, M.D., D.O.). At my last two R1s we are the only non-physicians as full faculty. Non-doctoral level seem to only qualify as staff, which can matter for benefits and access to certain leadership positions.

 

[ClinicalABA]

Some things I do in the State where I'm licensed that LMFTs/LICSWs can't do:

-I can make a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder which will qualify a child for insurance reimbursed services (in my state, the dx has to come from a psych or MD)
-I can bill insurance companies and other funding sources (e.g. State contracts) for certain diagnostic and other evaluations
-I can provide supervision to practica students and doctoral interns that qualifies for their required hours for psychologist licensure
-I can bill at higher rates for some of my services
-I can conduct and bill for "psychological reviews" of cases being supervised by masters level clinicians
-I can call myself "Doctor" (though I rarely do) and "psychologist" (which I often do)
-I can work in positions where an employer may require a doctorate level degree, even though there may not be regulatory restrictions on masters level clinicians performing the work.

Some things I do that LMFTs/LICSWs can do, but it's more likely to be done by a doctoral level clinician:

-teach graduate courses (in ABA and psychopathology)

 

[Pragma]

The hospitals I've been at require a doctorate for certain clinical privileges and often there is a distinction between faculty and staff as T4C mentioned.

There could be some variability by state.

 

[image187]

I think there is a difference between being legally able to do something under your license and being able to do something in a practical sense, and psychologists are respected for a bunch of specific things (already mentioned) they do much better than other professionals. If I could order a less expensive social-worker-administered neuropsych testing battery/assessment, I would still prefer a more expensive one from a neuropsychologist

 

[DrClinPsyAdvice]

Check this out for answers! http://clinicalpsychgradschool.org/phdor.php