Teamwork: Knowing Who's on Your Side

One late spring Saturday, my 8-year-old son came out to the back patio and asked if he could help me. I had raked the landscape rocks into four neat rows and added bagged garden soil. My plan was to plant a small vegetable garden including beans, zucchini, tomato starts, cantaloupe, and watermelon.

He stayed with me for hours.

As we worked, I explained that seeds need to be planted at just the right depth. Too deep, and they rot. Too shallow, and they wash away. He listened carefully and asked questions as he helped place each seed into the soil.

By the time we got to the cantaloupe, he was ready to do it on his own.

Later that afternoon, his older brother came home and found him standing by the rows, proudly showing off everything we had planted together. When his big brother heard "cantaloupe," he groaned—he doesn’t like it at all.

Without missing a beat, the younger one said, “Don’t worry—I planted it way too deep. It’ll never grow.”

I laughed quietly to myself, but more than that, I felt proud.

That’s what teamwork looks like—showing up for each other, even in the dirt. It reminded me that healing, like planting seeds, is never a solo job. We grow best when the right people are beside us.

Who’s On Your Mental Health Team?

Sometimes in mental health care, we forget that we have a team. The best support comes when each person knows their role and respects the work of others. You might not need everyone listed below, but it helps to know who’s available and how they work together.

General Practitioner

Your general doctor is often the first stop. They keep an eye on your overall health—both physical and mental. This might be a family doctor (MD), a physician assistant (PA-C), or a family nurse practitioner (FNP). They can order lab work, rule out physical causes for symptoms, and help you find the right kind of follow-up care.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist (MD) is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. They have completed a fellowship focusing on mental illness.  They assess how your brain and body respond to medication and may prescribe something to support your mood, anxiety, sleep, or focus. Psychiatrists (MD) often work alongside psychotherapists to provide comprehensive care.

Psychologist

Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) hold a doctorate in psychology and focus on behavior, emotion, and development. Many provide psychological testing for ADHD, learning differences, or diagnostic clarification. A clinical psychologist may offer psychotherapy, especially for anxiety, trauma, and mood-related concerns.

Neurologist

Neurologists (MD or DO) diagnose and treat conditions that affect the physical brain and nervous system. They might be part of your care team if you’re experiencing memory problems, seizures, migraines, or other symptoms that could be related to brain function.

Psychoanalyst

This role is often misunderstood—both in how it’s portrayed and how it actually works. Many people picture an old movie scene: someone on a couch describing dreams to a quiet man with a beard. Traditionally, the psychoanalyst interpreted the dreams and prescribed a course of action based on those interpretations. Freud and Jung are classic examples of psychoanalysts (MD or PhD). While few therapists use psychoanalysis in its original form today, it still appears in pop culture. A small number of clinicians draw on psychoanalytic theory, but most modern care relies on newer, person-centered, evidence-based approaches.

Psychotherapist

That’s me.

A Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) is trained specifically in psychotherapy and licensed to help with anxiety, trauma, depression, and self-growth. I use evidence-based practices and a warm, structured approach. Therapy with me isn’t about symptom checklists—it’s about insight, awareness, and meaningful change that’s tailored to your life. We focus on what’s real for you, at your pace, with thoughtful intention guiding every session. We explore what matters most to you and make space for new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating.

Not all therapists have the same training. While some LCSWs provide psychotherapy, their programs are rooted in case management and systems theory. CMHCs, on the other hand, are trained specifically for the work of psychotherapy.

Life Coach

Life coaches are not licensed mental health professionals. Most complete training through workshops, mentorships, or independent programs—not graduate school or clinical training. While they can provide structure and encouragement, it's important to understand that they are not qualified to diagnose or treat mental health conditions the way licensed professionals are. A good life coach offers encouragement, accountability, and structure, especially when you’re already functioning well and want to stay motivated. They can be a helpful part of a growth plan—but they’re not a substitute for psychotherapy.

Why It Matters

When you know who’s on your team—and what each person does—you can make more confident decisions about your care. You don’t have to carry everything alone.

Just like my sons in the garden, a good team brings different strengths. One brings energy, one brings humor, one asks questions, and one makes sure you never have to eat cantaloupe.

Summary: Build Your Team Thoughtfully

Whether you’re planting seeds or working through something deeper, the people around you matter. Choose support that helps you grow—not overwhelm you. Your job isn’t to know everything. It’s to let the right people do what they do best—so you can do the same.

🧐 Credentials Decoded: Who's Who on Your Team

This table helps demystify the alphabet soup of credentials. It’s important to understand who’s licensed, who isn’t, and what kind of training each person brings to your care team.

MD Doctor of Medicine

Licensed medical doctor; may offer general and/ or psychiatric care

DO Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Licensed medical doctor with whole-body approach; may offer psychiatric care

PhD Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Licensed psychologist; research or testing focus, A licensed clinical psychologist may provide psychotherapy

PsyD Doctor of Psychology

Licensed psychologist; often with a clinical psychotherapy emphasis

CMHC Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Licensed to provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups with counseling-specific training

LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Licensed professional with a social work background; therapy training varies

LMFT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Licensed psychotherapist focused on family and relationship issues

LPC / LCPC Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed for individual and group counseling; similar to CMHC in many states

PMHNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Licensed to assess and prescribe medications for mental health

PA Physician Assistant

Licensed to diagnose, treat, and prescribe under physician supervision

FNP Family Nurse Practitioner

Licensed to offer general health care, may address basic mental health concerns

DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice

Licensed advanced practice nurse, may manage psychiatric care

EdD Doctor of Education

Not psychotherapy-focused; often works in leadership or research roles

MSW Master of Social Work

Required for LCSW, but alone does not qualify one to practice psychotherapy

MA / MS Master of Arts or Science in Counseling or Psychology

Common graduate degree for CMHCs, LPCs, LMFTs

Life Coach Certification or Workshop-Based or Apprentice-Based Training

Not licensed; provides planning and support through self-directed programs

JD Juris Doctor

Required for an attorney or lawyer. Not mental health-related; may be involved in mental health law