Clinical psychology, as well as educational and school psychology, and forensic psychology are often the most recognized fields. In addition to these there are many other general and specialty areas. Currently the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) recognizes 13 specialty areas.

Psychologists and psychiatrists both provide treatment to individuals with emotional problems. Psychology is both a profession and an independent scientific discipline. Psychiatry is a specialization within the field of medicine. Typically, a psychologist will have a Master or Doctorate degree and a psychiatrist will have a Medical degree. Psychologists help people control and change their behavior as a primary method of treating problems. Psychiatrists prescribe medication as a primary means of changing people’s behavior. Both psychologists and psychiatrists assume that complex emotional problems are likely to be the result of both biological and psychological causes.

The length of treatment depends upon several variable including the nature and severity of the problem, the treatment goals selected, and the approach of the therapist. A national research study found that 50% of psychotherapy clients had made improvement within 8 sessions of therapy, and 75% showed improvement after 6 months of therapy. However, remember that improvement is not the same as successfully completing treatment. More serious problems, including recurring chronic depression, substance abuse, personality problems, and ongoing stress responses often require treatment for longer than 6 months.

In reality there is little difference. However, technically counseling is generally seen as more short term in nature and psychotherapy is viewed as more long term treatment. Counseling is for life adjustment problems while psychotherapy is for psychiatric or psychological disorders. Counselors are frequently less trained that psychotherapists and in many states counselors do not have to be licensed. Note that many health insurance companies provide insurance reimbursement for "psychotherapy" but not for "counseling.