FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

All state licensed mental health providers can be helpful to most people seeking services. I am
a doctoral psychologist. My training at the University of Nebraska was based on the scientist-
practitioner model, which means I was trained as both a scientist and a clinical practitioner with
the goal of actively using science as a core guide to practice and to thinking in an open minded,
careful, searching manner. Psychologists complete 4 years of undergraduate training, then
usually 4-5 years of full- time graduate school training in both science and practice, followed by
a year of full- time internship, where practice skills are further refined, then one or two years as
a post-doctoral trainee, practicing as a psychologist under the supervision of their state board
and an experienced licensed psychologist in their state. Many psychologists also receive a
master degree as a part of their training. My BA was in philosophy and psychology (with some
emphases also in religion and history). I then completed a two- year master degree in
professional counseling then a PhD in Counseling Psychology. I interned at the Minneapolis VA
Medical Center and received my year of post-doctoral supervision at the University of
Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Thus, all in all I was in training for my career for 11 years.
Psychologists focus mainly on the assessment and psychological therapy for all mental health
disorders and in many other related areas. Testing, counseling and psychotherapy are their
main focus. A few psychologists are able to prescribe medication with additional training but
almost all have consulting knowledge of medication but must refer for prescriptions.
Psychiatrists are MD’s or DO medical doctors. They usually complete4 years of undergraduate,
often in pre-medicine degrees and then 4 years of medical school, followed by a year of general
medical internship practice and 2-3 years of medical residency in their chosen specialty area.
Thus they complete the same 11 or 12 years as most psychologists. However, psychiatrists are
medical doctors with a biological focus and are the experts when it comes to assessing any
biological issues and prescribing medications as well as other biological treatments. Most
psychiatrists also offer supportive or focused psychotherapy and some go on to make
psychotherapy the main focus of their practice, but this varies, so needs to be verified.
There are many other mental health professionals. Two of the most common and important are
master level licensed professional counselors and licensed master level clinical social workers.
Both of these groups are usually well trained in providing counseling services and in assisting
patients in accessing other services in the community. Typically both of these professions
require 4 years of undergraduate training then 2 years of graduate school, followed by one or
two years of supervised practice; thus typically receiving 7-8 years of training.
Primary Care Physicians actually see the most mental health patients of every profession,
because they take care of all health issues and treat as appropriate or make referrals for

specialty care. Primary Care doctors often are the first line in evaluating patient needs, verifying
biological health, starting psychiatric medications and offering practical counseling.
I have spent much of my career training psychologists, master professional counselors, school
counselors, family practice physicians, psychiatrists and clinical social workers. I am very
comfortable collaborating with these and many other professionals as each patient’s needs
might dictate.
I am happy to further discuss these issues, so just ask.

I do not prescribe medication. I am a Ph.D. Counseling Psychologist and not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are generally MD’s and are the experts at prescribing psychiatric or mental health medications. Family and general practice physicians also prescribe much of the mental health medications in this country. I cannot prescribe medication, but I have training and experience that can be helpful in making proper referrals to a psychiatrist or your primary care physician, and I can assist in monitoring medication outcomes or problems with you and your prescribing physician.