Final answer:
Mental health professionals who utilize a scientific approach in their work are known as clinical scientists, which can include licensed clinical psychologists and other specialists. While clinical psychologists conduct therapy and research, psychiatrists can also prescribe medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mental health professionals who take a scientific approach to their clinical work are often referred to as clinical scientists. However, the term can broadly encompass various professionals in the mental health field including licensed clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, and others engaged in research and application of psychological principles to clinical practice.
Licensed clinical psychologists have either a PhD or a PsyD and work in diverse settings, like hospitals and private practice, and may conduct therapy, administer psychological tests, and engage in research. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, earn a doctor of medicine degree (MD) and can prescribe medications in addition to conducting therapy. It's worth noting that clinical psychology and counseling psychology are areas with a focus on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders, but they also involve scientific research.