CLASS 101: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THERAPY

Maybe this is your first time to reach out to someone to ask for help. Maybe this is not the first time you have reached out for help, but the first time since you were burned by the last therapist you reached out to. Maybe this is your tenth time to reach out and you want to make sure the fit works. Here are some things for you to know as you seek to find help for you.

Types of Counselors

There are different types of counselors. In order for you to select what is right for you, it would be beneficial for you to understand the different types of counselors.

PLPC – In Louisiana, PLPCs are Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselors. The PLPC has graduated with a Master's in Counseling and is working under supervision of an LPC -Supervisor. A PLPC must complete 3000 clinical supervised hours within two years to apply for licensure to become an LPC.

LPC - A Licensed Professional Counselor has completed a Master's in Counseling program as well as the necessary PLPC requirements and is now fully licensed within his or her state of practice. An LPC does adhere to state regulations as well as the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. In addition, to renew licensure, LPCs must complete continuing education hours.

LMSW - A Licensed Master Social Worker must operate under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide clinical therapy or mental health services. An LCSW has the ability to independently provide counseling services. A social worker needs to possess a certain amount of supervised clinical hours ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 hours. Both are fully licensed and require continuing education.

 LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist has completed a Master's in Counseling, completed supervision, and is fully licensed in his or her state of practice. An LMFT's program specializes in Marriage and Family therapy.  In addition, LMFTs can do individual therapy. Like the LPC and LMSW/LCSW, LMFTs have a code of ethics by which they abide, are fully licensed, and must complete continuing education hours.

Pastoral Counselors - Pastoral counselors can provide a spiritual perspective to life circumstances. Pastoral counselors are often found within the church and offer free services as part of their ministry to their congregation. Most pastoral counselors abide by a American Association of Pastoral Counselors code of ethics or National Christian Counselors Association. UNLIKE the previously mentioned credentials, pastoral counselors are NOT STATE LICENSED COUNSELORS. They may be ordained or they may be licensed pastors, but they do not have to be nor is licensure or certification required. In addition, they may or may not have a college degree or graduate studies in theology or counseling. Just as LPCs can be pastors, so pastoral counselors may not be LPCs.

Psychiatrist - A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating mental health conditions. They can write prescriptions to treat mental health needs.

Psychologist - has completed a doctoral degree in psychology; however, they are not medical doctors and cannot write prescriptions. They can provide testing for mental health conditions as well as provide counseling.

Read the Fine Print

Every form of counselor has a “Policies and Procedures” form that you must sign to consent to therapy. In that form, there should be a “Qualifications” section that lists the counselor’s qualifications for performing the act of counseling. In addition, the qualifications should mention their type of licensure. Next, the form should cover fees, services offered, code of conduct, confidentiality, emergency situations, client responsibilities, payment, and a place for you, as the client, to make complaints to the governing board should you need to make a complaint.

Here’s the main point of this section though: it is your responsibility to read the fine print. It is your responsibility as the client to know your counselor’s qualifications. Know that if you have questions regarding his or her qualifications, you do have the right to ask. 

Specialties

Many therapists seek specializations after graduating from their graduate program. While all cannot be listed here, I will use one as an example so that you may know what to look for if you are seeking specialized treatment.

For example, I am registered play therapist (RPT). I have completed 150 hours of training and 500 hours of clinical supervision in working with children (this has changed to 300 hours recently as RPT-S is now the only ones that can provide supervision). I adhere to the Association for Play Therapy’s code of ethics and guidelines for play therapy. I also submitted to rigorous guidelines in applying for my RPT certification. There is a governing board that reviewed my application before I could become an RPT. In addition, I could not be a registered play therapist before being a licensed professional counselor. 

Why does this matter? Because some mental health professionals will state they do play therapy, when they have had no training in play therapy; they only use play in therapy. There is a difference between using play in therapy and using play as a form of therapy, which requires training. 

Once again, it is your responsibility as the client to ask the questions of the counselor to understand his or her specialization in a given area. You can ask your counselor about his or her specialization as well as request to see documentation. Most specializations come with a certificate and require multiple hours of training. Therefore, your counselor should be able to provide that if he or she is marketing that particular specialty. 

Know the Fit

If something feels “off” or out of place to you, ask your therapist about it. It is okay to be honest with him or her. In addition, if you feel “stuck” tell him/her that. You, as the client, being honest with us helps us to communicate with you better or give you understanding to what you may be experiencing. Moreover, counseling is not a “one size fits all.” Therefore, if it is not the right fit, it is okay to communicate that with your counselor so that you may find the right fit for you. 

Overall, for you as the client, it is scary to walk into a stranger’s office and tell your life story. We respect that and honor that for you! And because you are willing to do that, you have the right to ask the questions as well as communicate your needs. But for you to ask the right questions, you need to know the various types of counselors, the fine print, specialties, and fit for you. In doing so, hopefully, you will have a beneficial experience in working with a therapist.