Yes, I think you're right. I believe to have a "Psychologist License" one has to have a doctorate. However, not being licensed does not prevent you from validly practicing psychological counseling.
But, maybe someone with real chops in this area can clear this up. :floorlaugh:
Well I "have chops" in this area. I am retired Licensed Addiction Specialist which falls as a Psychotherapist. I am every valid to practice quality mental heath as a Psychologist. Thank you very much.
To get my license I had to take rigorous written testing, oral boards for several hours (I think I if remember it was four or five hours). Kentucky was one of the hardest states to be licensed. In fact, Psychologist and Psychiatrist could not practice Addiction treatment w/o being licensed in that area.
Now that being said, she was a licensed Psychotherapist specializing in Family and Marriage Counseling.
Listed is the hierarchy in Mental Health (at least in 1997 before I retired):
Psychiatry: Psychiatrist (Medical Degree) Signs off on everyone
Licensed Psychiatric RN
Psychology:
Psychologist (PhD) Certification in Specialties (or Licensures depending on the state)
Psychological Associate MA PA: This is a Master Degree but a very highly specialized program. This equal to Physician Assistant to a Physician with equal responsibility to a Psychologist. After license obtained, they do not need to have a Psychologist sign off Psych Assessment/Treatment Plans
Psychotherapist MA with different specialties: This includes Family & Marriage Counsel, Addiction Specialist, LCMSW, etc. All these have highly training with rigorous testing, oral boards in their specialty etc.
Mental Health Technicians: They Associate degrees and/or in the process of obtaining a undergraduate degree. (get experience).
Now a tidbit that I found it that turn my stomach upside down. When I was getting my Master's, I was in the class "Family Dynamics". Lo and behold, I found out by listening to others there were undergrad, Master level and PhD candidates ALL taking the same class doing the same required work. The only difference -- the price of taking the class!!!!
So having a PhD is not the end all to brilliance in Mental Health folks.
I hope this clarifies this issue from someone who does "have the chops"
*sigh*