The term “shrink” is a slang term used to refer to mental health professionals, including therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The word “shrink” comes from “head shrinkage,” which refers to the ancient practice of shrinking the head of a conquered enemy. Thus, “shrink” originated as a slang term that people used to refer to mental health professionals 12. The term is largely outdated and belongs to an era in which mental health treatment was a source of shame. Although the term “shrink” may be used to describe several types of mental health professionals, there are different types of providers trained in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating mental health problems. During your search for a therapist, you might encounter some of the following titles:

Psychologist: Psychologists earn a doctoral degree in psychology. Counseling psychologists and clinical psychologists are trained to make mental health diagnoses and provide psychotherapy services.

Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are medical doctors with special training in brain structure and the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. Psychiatrists typically prescribe medication and much less often counsel clients. Some psychiatrists receive additional training in a specialty field, such as children’s behavior.

Social worker: Social workers earn a master’s degree in social work. They are trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses. Some social workers also provide case management and advocacy services