904-379-8094

Psychologist, Therapist, or Counselor? Which is Right for You

Your choice in mental health care professionals can impact the quality of care you receive. Few people know the distinction between psychologists, counselors, and therapists with regard to thier education, training, and scope of practice.

If you’re looking for therapy for everyday stressors or prefer supportive, talk-based care, a therapist or counselor or psychologist may be a great fit.

If you’re dealing with more complex emotional, behavioral, or relationship issues, want to develop structured coping strategies, or need testing, diagnosis, or a forensic-level evaluation, a psychologist is the appropriate choice.

Psychologists don’t just provide therapy; they lead the science behind it and guide multidisciplinary treatment teams. They design, test, and teach the very methods that counselors and therapists use. Some psychologists also pursue board certification or additional specialization in areas such as forensic psychology, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, or public safety psychology. In some states, psychologists with advanced postdoctoral training even hold prescriptive authority, allowing them to integrate medical and psychological approaches.

While counselors and therapists may pursue continuing education or niche certifications to expand their skill sets, psychologists are trained in those competencies from day one. Their education integrates assessment, neuroscience, and evidence-based intervention, ensuring treatment is rooted in science, not just experience.

When you work with a Licensed Psychologist, you’re not just getting therapy, rather you are getting a scientific approach to mental health grounded in evidence, ethics, and accountability. At D’Arienzo Psychology, we believe in practicing what we teach. Our practice is psychologist- heavy by design because when it comes to mental health care, training and scientific expertise make the difference. Whether you’re seeking psychological testing, couples counseling, or performance improvement, you can trust that your care is guided by professionals trained at the highest level of the field.

D’Arienzo Psychology Blog

Tips for Taking a Psychological Test for an Armed Position? Here is What You Should Know

It’s completely normal to feel anxious about psychological testing for an armed position, especially if you’ve never done it before. If you’re taking the MMPI, 16PF, or another personality test, here are a few things to know. I am Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a clinical and forensic psychologist and former military psychologist, who has been conducting these evaluations for 20 years. Let me help ease some of your anxiety or pre-test jitters.
First, don’t try to beat the test. These assessments can detect inconsistent responding, exaggerating, minimizing problems, or trying to look unrealistically perfect. Trying to find the “right” answer can create more concerns than simply answering honestly. Second, read carefully and answer based on who you really are. We are not looking for perfect people. Everyone experiences stress, frustration, sadness, anger, and anxiety. Normal human experiences do not automatically make someone unsuitable for armed work.

Learn More

ASIS International GSX Speaker 2026 Setting the Standard for Armed Guard Evaluations

Featured Speaking Engagement Dr. D’Arienzo to Speak at GSX 2026 Setting the Standard for Armed Guard Psychological Evaluations Press Release: Dr. D’Arienzo will be speaking at GSX 2026 about setting a standard for armed guard psychological evaluations. See him in Atlanta, Georgia at the conference in September 2026.

Learn More

Prescription Privileges for Specially Trained Psychologists

Psychologists are scientist-practitioners relying on real evidence and science when treating and evaluating patients. Adding to this training model, I want to share something I’m genuinely excited about that is both a personal and professional milestone that reflects my commitment to the evolving profession of psychology and expands what I hope to one day be able to offer patients in Florida.

In May 2026, I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Postdoctoral Master’s Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology, an American Psychological Association’s (APA) designated program that prepares licensed psychologists for prescriptive authority in states where it is permitted. More recently (July 2026), I passed the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP). The PEP is the national exam required for psychologists to pass who want to prescribe. It is an arduous test covering topics from clinical medicine, neuroscience, laboratory interpretation, general pharmacology to psychopharmacology. Passing it marks another real step forward in building advanced competency in this area. I worked my tail off to complete the program and pass the PEP while running our business, remaining active in the community and with my family, and seeing patients over the last two and a half years. My next step with psychopharmacology is to gain authority to prescribe in Louisiana and New Mexico. I will keep you updated. 

Learn More