"A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health and emotional problems. Because of extensive medical training, the psychiatrist understands the body’s functions and the complex relationship between emotional illness and other medical illness. The psychiatrist is thus the mental health professional and physician best qualified to distinguish between physical and psychological causes of both mental and physical distress. Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health. Mental healthes, including addictions, are common. Like other medical illnesses, mental health range from severe and life-threatening disorders to relatively mild and self-limiting conditions. Approximately 2.8% of the adult population suffers from severe mental health, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or from the more common, yet disabling, anxiety and depressive disorders or from alcohol and other substance abuse."
American Psychiatric Association
"Psychology is the study of the mind, human experience and behavior. Psychologists are trained to help people cope more effectively with life problems, using therapeutic techniques based on the best available research and their own clinical skills and experience. Psychologists take into account each person's unique values, goals and circumstances and work collaboratively with the client to identify the goals of treatment and to decide how progress will be defined. Psychologists spend an average of 7.2 years, in addition to their undergraduate college degree, in education and training. In California, psychologists use psychological testing to evaluate and treat a full range of emotional and psychological challenges. They coordinate the care of their clients in both outpatient and hospital settings. Psychologists also conduct research, and teach in academic settings. In addition to conducting individual and group therapy with adults, adolescents, and children, psychologists are involved in many other areas of work. They coach other professionals to improve their communications skills, and to increase their productivity and job satisfaction. They work with athletes, actors and musicians to develop their concentration, reduce anxiety, and enhance their performance. They often obtain advanced training that allows them to provide specialized services such as the evaluation and treatment of stroke patients, assisting patients in the management of chronic pain, and providing expert testimony to our judicial system, offering guidance to the courts. The California Board of Psychology is responsible for the licensure of psychologists in our state. In California, a mental health professional cannot be called a psychologist unless they are licensed as a psychologist."
California Psychological Association
"The practice of marriage and family therapy shall mean that service performed with individuals, couples, or groups wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments. This practice includes relationship and premarriage counseling. The application of marriage and family therapy principles and methods includes, but is not limited to, the use of applied psychotherapeutic techniques, to enable individuals to mature and grow within marriage and the family, the provision of explanations and interpretations of the psychosexual and psychosocial aspects of relationships, and the use, application, and integration of the coursework and training required by Sections 4980.37, 4980.40, and 4980."
Board of Behavioral Sciences
Board of Behavioral Science
