The professional groups licensed to provide mental health treatment in New Jersey are Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Counselors.

Some mental health professionals refer to themselves as psychotherapists.  But, the title of psychotherapist is not regulated, so anyone, with or without training or a professional license, can call themselves a psychotherapist. The title of hypnotist or hypnotherapist, while regulated in some states, is also not regulated in New Jersey.  Any mental health professionals, in any of the licensed professions, can be qualified to provide hypnosis, if they have obtained the necessary training and supervised experience. However, consumers are advised to check the professional credentials of any provider using the title of hypnotist, to confirm that the individual has a license as a mental health professional, in addition to training in hypnosis.

Information about emotional problems or treatment: Health Information Center

To locate a mental health professional, consult one of these directories:
(Please read the Disclaimer before using any directory)

• Psychologists - License as a psychologist requires a doctoral degree in psychology, or in a closely allied field, from a recognized institution; plus experience practicing psychology, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, for the equivalent of two years, full time. At least one year of this supervised experience must be obtained after receiving the doctoral degree. Also, the candidate must pass a written and oral examination in theoretical and applied psychology.
• Psychiatrists - Psychiatrist are licensed as physicians (MDs). There is no separate licensure law for the practice of psychiatry.  A license to practice medicine requires completion of four years of coursework, and graduation from a school of medicine or osteopathy approved by the Medical Licensing Board; completion of a one year Internship in a hospital approved by the Board or completion of one year of acceptable postgraduate work in a school or hospital; and passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Most psychiatrists also complete a residency in psychiatry, which involves several additional years of supervised training in a hospital and/or community setting.
• Social Workers - The licensing law establishes three classes of social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Workers; Licensed Social Workers, and Certified Social Workers.  Only Licensed Clinical Social Workers are permitted to engage in the independent practice of clinical social work. They must have a masters or doctoral degree in social work from an approved program; complete 12 semester hours of graduate-level courses in methods of clinical social work practice, areas of human behavior, diagnosis and assessment, models of psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and/or interventions with special populations; and complete two years of fulltime clinical social work under supervision; and pass the clinical examination offered by the American Association of State Social Work Boards.
• Marriage and Family Therapists - The license requires one of the following degrees: a master's degree in social work; a post-master's degree in marriage and family therapy; a doctorate degree in marriage or pastoral counseling, psychology, sociology of the family, family life education, or a closely allied field; or a doctor of medicine degree with equivalent coursework. The license also requires passing a written and oral examination in theoretical and applied marriage therapy, and experience practicing marriage therapy for five years, two years of which must have been in supervised marriage therapy, and one year of which must be after the qualifying degree.
• Counselors - Licensure as a Professional Counselor is under the Marriage and Family Therapists licensing board. A license requires completion of 60 graduate semester hours in an educational program that includes a master's degree or doctorate in counseling from an accredited institution. At least 45 semester hours of the degree must be in the following areas: counseling theory and practice; the helping relationship; human growth and development and maladaptive behavior; lifestyle and career development; group dynamics and counseling; appraisal of individuals; social and cultural foundations; research and evaluation; and the counseling profession. The license also requires at least three years of supervised fulltime counseling experience in a professional counseling setting.

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