Coach Cheyenne Bryant a podcast appearance by popular speaker on, the Joe Budden Network recently ignited a widespread conversation about mental health credentials and whether the people doling out advice online are actually qualified to do so. The exchange went viral almost immediately, prompting a wave of questions from listeners about what it truly means to be a mental health professional. For Mental Health Awareness Month, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Raquel Martin stepped in to set the record straight.

Martin holds a Ph.D. in Medical and Clinical Psychology, a master’s degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree from HBCU Fisk University and completed post doctoral training at Johns Hopkins University. She specializes in championing Black mental health a community she says is particularly vulnerable to misinformation because of how freely unvetted voices circulate on social media. Terms like gaslighting and narcissist have become casual vocabulary for millions of people, most of whom have never cracked open a psychology textbook. That cultural shift, Martin warns, has real consequences.

Psychologist vs. psychiatrist: understanding the difference

Psychologists earn a doctoral degree typically a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and must log thousands of supervised clinical hours before sitting for a rigorous licensure exam. Martin completed 2,000 supervised hours during her internship and another 2,000 hours during her post-doctoral program before she was ever eligible to practice independently. She is also clear that licensure is non-negotiable. Without passing a licensure exam, a person cannot legally or ethically call themselves a licensed psychologist. Notably, only 5% of licensed psychologists in the U.S. are Black.

Psychiatrists hold a medical degree (M.D.) and are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medication. They are best suited for patients managing conditions such as paranoia, bipolar disorder or suicidal ideation. Only about 2% of licensed psychiatrists in the U.S. are Black a figure Martin calls deeply concerning given the mental health needs of the Black community.

Both professionals should be able to provide proof of their credentials without hesitation. If a mental health professional evades questions about their licensure, that is a serious red flag.

Therapist vs. life coach: not the same thing

The word therapists functions more like an umbrella term than a single job title. It covers psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse practitioners and licensed marriage and family therapists all of whom practice therapy within their respective scopes. In many states, it is actually illegal to call yourself a therapist without the appropriate license.

Life coaching, on the other hand, has no universal licensing requirement. Anyone can legally call themselves a coach, with or without formal training. That does not make coaching without value but it does make the distinction important.

Therapists are equipped to address root causes of emotional distress anxiety, trauma, deep seated behavioral patterns and more. Martin describes this as root work.

Life coaches tend to focus on practical, goal oriented support, such as improving time management, building professional skills or launching a business. Martin calls this branch work. Panic attacks and mental health crises are not appropriate territory for a life coach, regardless of how experienced or well intentioned that coach may be.

For those searching for a licensed Black therapist, Martin points to Therapy for Black Girls as a strong starting resource.

Why community remains a cornerstone of Black mental health

Beyond credentials and clinical care, Martin is equally passionate about the role of community in mental health particularly for Black Americans. She advises every client to ask any potential clinician one foundational question before beginning treatment: what role does racism play in mental health? A clinician who cannot engage seriously with that question, she says, is not the right fit.

When formal therapy is inaccessible whether because of cost, availability or timing Martin encourages people to lean into their communities. Support groups, cultural events, artistic spaces and even concerts can serve as genuine sources of healing and connection. Community, she argues, has historically been one of the most powerful and consistent support systems Black people have ever had. Whatever form healing takes, she believes, it is almost always built on human connection.