Trainer; Behaviorist; Behavioral Veterinarian; Psychotherapist………do you know the difference?

Do you know the difference between these four professions? Or, more precisely, what factors define these professions?
Surprisingly, industry professionals are led to believe that Behaviorists are knowledgeable on different methods than trainers (spoiler, not true).

1) Trainers: Method - Operant Conditioning Goal - teach commands and encourage good behaviors (house and crate training, socialization, leash manners etc.) by applying reinforcements to encourage wanted behavior. Model - commonly class training with a pre-determined program over a set time frame (ie - once a week for 6 weeks)

2) Behaviorists: Method - Multiple Conditioning strategies/techniques. Model - commonly individualized sessions often held in-home, virtual, or in public places (real-life) offering personalized programs that acknowledge the deeper reason for the behavior (ie - trauma). Goal - change perception of stimuli and/or encourage positive behaviors to prevent unwanted behaviors using reinforcements, coping mechanisms, distraction, association and other strategies.

3) Behavioral Veterinarians: Method - Positive Reinforcement Training and Counter Conditioning (the same non-aversive Conditioning methods used by Behaviorists) Model and Goal - similar to Behaviorists, although may also provide in-clinic sessions. They follow the Fear Free protocol and are governed by orgs, such as ABS, who position themselves as regulatory bodies in an unregulated industry. Behavioral Vets commonly administer medications to support the program.
*While there are many progressive approaches and mindsets that Behaviorists have embraced in the last few years, the application adheres to the principles of Conditioning methods.

4) Psychotherapists: Method - Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, other non-aversive psychotherapeutic practices. Dogs must be over 6 months of age. Model - live, virtual, flexible locations. Personalized programs and 2-way communication to determine factors influencing thought patterns (ie - habit, cognitive dissonance, learned behavior). Multi-methods are applied as per the educated decision of the practitioner in accordance with the goals of their client and the preference of the individual dog in different program stages. Goal - encourage autonomy, agency, and decision-making self-regulate behaviors associated with anxiety, aggression and the adolescent stage (due to brain development).

No one method is effective in all situations, leading to a growing acceptance of the limitations of Conditioning methods to address trauma-based behaviors and common behaviors in the adolescent stage due to brain development.

This article is NOT about debating Conditioning methods, (a topic that is exhausted in the dog training realm) but rather, to encourage informed decisions for professionals, practitioners and pet parents.