In Florida, licensed mental health professions include Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, School Psychologists, and Registered Nurses with specialized training in mental health care.

All licensed mental health professionals have completed a supervised internship prior to sitting for the State of Florida Licensure Exam to determine competency in their particular field. In addition, all must maintain active participation in ongoing Continuing Education to renew their license status.

Effective mental health treatment is based on the unique relationship between client and therapist. Although certain license classifications traditionally provide service to certain narrow populations, many services overlap license titles. An exception is the prescription of medication, which is restricted to the Psychiatrist (ME).

Registered Interns are unlicensed individuals working under the supervision of a licensed professional. Registered Interns are listed as ISW, IMT, IMH. Detailed explanations of each role are provided below.

SPECIAL NOTE: The State of Florida, Department of Health-Division of Medical Quality Assurance provides further information on licensure requirements. Psychiatrist refers to persons licensed pursuant to chapter 458 or 459. Psychologist, School Psychologist refer to persons licensed pursuant to chapter 490. Clinical Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor refer to persons licensed pursuant to chapter 491. Registered Nurse refers to persons licensed pursuant to chapter 464.

• Psychiatrist (ME or OS)

  Psychiatrists are physicians who have a medical degree (M.D.) or a degree in osteopathic medicine (D.O.) with a specialization in mental illness. They treat a wide range of emotional and behavioral disorders and may be working in hospitals, businesses, public agencies, private practice, etc. Psychiatrists are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medication.

• Psychologist (PY)

  Psychologists have either a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) or an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) from an accredited graduate or professional school. They diagnose and treat emotional and behavioral disorders in children, adolescents, and adults that range from mild to very severe. Psychologists most often work in hospitals, businesses, public or private practice treatment centers or private practice.

• Clinical Social Worker (SW)

  Clinical Social Workers have a Master’s Degree (M.S.W.) from an accredited graduate school with a specialization in mental health services. They plan, organize and administer direct therapeutic services and intervene in individual, group, community and organizational systems. Clinical Social Workers often work in hospitals, social service agencies or private practice.

• Marriage & Family Therapist (MT)

  Marriage & Family Therapists have a Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.S. or M.Ed.) from an accredited graduate school with specialty coursework in marriage and family therapy. They treat stress that accompanies family milestones such as marriage, divorce, birth, death, etc., as well as other emotional and behavioral problems. Marriage & Family Therapists may be working in mental health clinics, public service agencies, businesses, hospitals or private practice.

• Mental Health Counselor (MH)

  Mental Health Counselors have a Master’s Degree (M.A. of M.S. of M.ED.) from an accredited graduate school with specialty coursework in mental health counseling. They treat individuals, families or groups including children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems. Mental Health Counselors often work in hospitals, schools, businesses, agencies or private practice.

• School Psychologist (SS)

  School Psychologists have either a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D. or ED.D.) or a Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.S. of M.ED.) from an accredited graduate school with the specialization in child development, learning and behavior disorders. They test, diagnose and assess cognitive abilities that relate to learning or behavioral problems and treat these problems in children and adolescents. School Psychologists often work in government agencies, public or private schools or private practice.

• Registered Nurse (RN or ARNP)

  Certain classifications of nurses receive specialized training and are qualified to provide mental health care.