1. Differences Between Therapists – LCSW? MFT? PhD? PsyD?
In California, when someone seeks psychotherapy, there are four types of professionals to choose from who are licensed to provide these services. These are: 1) psychiatrists (a type of MD with special training and specialization); 2) psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D); 3) Licensed Clinical Social Workers (MSW); and 4) Marriage and Family Therapists (MA or MS).
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are the only types of mental health professionals who legally can prescribe medication in California. While some psychiatrists provide psychotherapy, many today do what is called “medication monitoring,” which includes providing prescriptions and monitoring patients to assess their response to the medication and to assist in addressing any side-effects. I frequently collaborate with psychiatrists and we work closely together to help clients achieve symptom relief. Even though any MD can prescribe medications for psychiatric disorders, I prefer to refer you to a trusted, gay or ”gay-friendly” psychiatrist because of their specialized expertise in prescribing the right medication at the right dosage for your situation.
Psychologists
Psychologists also provide psychotherapy, and many provide psychological testing as well, which can be helpful in diagnosis of such disorders as adult Attention Deficit Disorder and some neurological problems. Psychologists also traditionally contribute much to the academic literature and body of research, and associations such as the American Psychological Association have meaningful gay-advocacy programs.
MFTs
The MFT license is a phenomenon unique to California, and is the most populous mental health discipline in the state. It has undergone many name changes over time. It was formerly the MFCC (Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor). Some of its members use the official “MFT” suffix, while others use the unofficial “LMFT” suffix (perhaps to align more in the public’s perception with LCSWs). The MFT license has slightly less rigorous requirements to obtain compared to the other licenses for mental health professionals. The precursor degree, an MA or MS in psychology or counseling, can be offered by major universities, but is frequently offered by small, private, for-profit trade schools, with somewhat less formal academic standards and less standardized curricula. The majority of complaints filed with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs) are related to this discipline.
“MFTIs”
The “MFTI” is an acronym that stands for “marriage of family therapist INTERN”. It is not the acronym of a clinical license, and is only used informally. Some of these practitioners open practices and advertise immediately after receiving their degree, obscuring their status as unlicensed interns by using the unofficial suffix, perhaps misleading the public that this acronym implies a type of clinical license when it is not. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences has issued a strong requirement that all non-licensed registered interns and associates of all disciplines make clear by notation in all advertising, websites, business cards, stationery, and other promotional materials that they are indeed interns, who must be supervised by licensed practitioners, and the name, title, and license number of their supervisor must be included in these materials.
LCSW
My license to practice psychotherapy is the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), with special additional training as a psychiatric social worker, which qualifies me to discuss medications and their use in more depth, but not as precisely as an MD psychiatrist. Surprisingly, in the United States, the majority of psychotherapy and counseling services are provided by clinical social workers, not psychologists as might be expected. I was licensed as an LCSW on my first attempt in 1997 (LCS#18290, verifiable at http://www.bbs.ca.gov), after completing 3,200 hours of clinical experience in not less than 24 months of work, supervised weekly by an LCSW, and rigorous written and oral exams (approximately 30% pass rate).
After receiving a B.A. from UCLA in 1987 and a number of years working in industrial psychology, I received my MSW (Master of Social Work) degree in 1994 (with a specialization in Mental Health and a special sub-specialization certificate in treating Psychiatric Disorders) from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work, accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) and one of the top 5 schools of social work in the United States. It was here that I started my specialization in working with gay men, gay male psychology, gay mental health, HIV mental health, and community research and advocacy.
While many well-meaning, progressive, heterosexual psychotherapists claim to work with LGBT and/or HIV issues, working with me gives you the added benefit of working with someone who actually lives within these communities as a part of them. I am gay and HIV-positive, 24/7, which means that I sometimes draw on my professional training in the gay and poz areas of study, research, and expertise, and other times I am drawing on my personal experiences and examples to help you in these areas. After 19 years of living successfully with HIV, and 25 years of living as an “out” gay man in Los Angeles and West Hollywod, there is much “material” to draw on!
Benefits of Working with Me Versus Others
Some of the benefits of working with me as opposed to some other practitioners in our community include the length, breadth, and depth of my experience. These include:
- 17 years of continuous experience providing psychotherapy, counseling, and coaching specifically to a gay men’s speciality, as well as secondary specialties in helping people living with HIV or psychiatric disorders
- Special training in working with psychiartric disorders, including Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and other conditions that require close and effective collaboration with psychiatrists and medication treatment
- Extensive experience working with gay men who have substance dependence or addictions, helping hundreds of people overcome their “slavery” to crystal, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, sex, gambling, shoplifting, and eating.
- Graduation from two major academic institutions (BA – UCLA and MSW – USC), not trade or professional schools
- Experience in both the private practice and community agency settings, where I have held both clinical and executive positions
- 25 years of familiarity of working, playing, and living in the West Hollywood gay community as my “home”
- “Walking the talk” of living a thriving professional and personal life with a high degree of gratitude and personal/commercial success
- Prior experience in “corporate America” and industrial psychology for effective executive and career coaching services
- Thousands of hours of experience helping gay men with very similar problems, and countless “success stories” on how problems much like yours have been solved in the past
- Dozens of publications and speaking engagements given locally and nationally
- Continuous involvement in contributions to our gay and/or HIV community through volunteer work, donations, consulting, and other contributions
If you have questions about my services, click on the “email” icon on this website’s home page, email me directly at ken@gaytherapyla.com, or call me at 310-726-4357 for more information or to make your appointment.