Final answer:
In advertisements, a therapist referring to themselves as a "psychotherapist" or offering "psychotherapy" is required to include their license number. This ensures that clients can verify the therapist's credentials and ensures the therapist is meeting state requirements and professional ethical standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a therapist uses the term "psychotherapist" or "psychotherapy" in advertisements, they must also include their license number. This requirement is meant to protect clients by ensuring that they can verify the professional is currently licensed and in good standing with the governing licensing body. Being licensed means that the therapist has met the state requirements, which typically include completing a certain level of education, accruing supervised clinical hours, and passing a licensure exam. This licensing process ensures that only qualified individuals provide psychological services.
Licensed clinical or counseling psychologists have either a PhD or a PsyD and can offer a variety of services including psychotherapy, but cannot prescribe medication unless they have proper additional credentials. In contrast, psychiatrists have an MD and can prescribe medications. It is important for therapists to clearly state their credentials, such as being a licensed clinical psychologist, especially in places like private clinical practices or hospital settings where different professional roles are found.
Moreover, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists need to adhere to professional and ethical standards, which are set by state boards and professional organizations. Standards often include transparent communication about a therapist's qualifications through appropriate channels such as advertising.