How do I find the right therapist for me?
This is the most common question we hear when friends or family are interested in starting therapy. Every person and relationship is unique so spending time talking to different practices, and asking important questions, is worth the effort in order to have a positive and productive experience. We have created this download for you to guide you through that research process. In a nutshell, however, here are the six steps to follow when looking for your therapist:
As you move through this process, trust your gut! A strong connection between you and your therapist will significantly contribute to successful therapy. You must feel comfortable with the PERSON you are working with. Your gut and your heart will tell you when this is or is not the case.
Is the therapist licensed? Working towards licensure under excellent supervision? Choosing a therapist who is currently Licensed will assure you he/she/they have met the State requirements for education, training and clinical experience necessary to be an effective and ethical therapist for you. If he/she/they are still in training or working towards licensure, confirm they are working with a highly skilled and approved supervisor.
What is their area of expertise? Connecting with a therapist whose clinical training matches your therapy goals is important! Simply ask - ‘do you specialize in any particular type of issues/concerns/goals?’
What is their treatment philosophy and/or their approach to therapy? Most people don’t know there are hundreds of different therapy techniques, each of which has its own approach to helping clients create change in their lives. Not every approach is applicable or relevant to every client. This is important to understand because these models guide how a therapist will work with you in your therapy, therefore impacting how effective therapy will be!
Location and Office hours - In-person or Online therapy? Attending therapy sessions on a consistent basis builds momentum and ensures progress toward your goals. Be sure the logistics line up with what matters most to you!
Session Length and Fees - You are choosing to invest time and money into yourself and/or your relationship. Knowing the financial investment upfront will alleviate the risk of showing up for your first appointment only to be disappointed to learn the therapist’s fees are more than you planned for.
I’m searching for a therapist and don’t understand the licenses. What do they mean?
LMFT, LPC, and LCSW are all licensed professionals in the field of mental health. While they may share some similarities in terms of their training and scope of practice, there are some key differences between them.
LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. LMFTs are trained to work with individuals, couples, non-traditional relationships and families to help them navigate relationship issues. They are specifically trained in systems theory, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of members within a system (family, polycule, organization etc) and how they influence each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A therapist who has completed all of their education and is working towards their LMFT is referred to as an MFTC - Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate.
LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. LPCs are trained to provide individual and group counseling to individuals with a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. They are trained in various therapeutic approaches and may work in a variety of mental health settings. A therapist who has completed all of their education and is working towards their LPC is referred to as an LPCC - Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate.
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. LCSWs are trained to provide individual and group therapy to individuals with a wide range of mental health issues, as well as to help clients navigate social and environmental factors that may be impacting their mental health. LCSWs are trained in various therapeutic approaches and may work in a variety of mental health settings, including private practice, hospitals, and community mental health clinics. LCSWs are sometimes confused with LSWs (Licensed Social Worker). An LSW has met state requirements for many important social worker roles. However, LCSWs have completed additional training and met additional requirements that allow them to provide counseling and therapy to clients.
One key difference between these professions is their focus. LMFTs are focused on helping clients improve their relationships with themselves and others, while LPCs and LCSWs are focused on providing individual therapy to clients with a variety of mental health concerns. Another difference is their training and educational requirements. While all three professions require a master's degree and supervised clinical experience, the specific requirements may vary depending on the state and licensing board, with the requirements of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists being the most stringent.
It's important to note that LMFTs, LPCs, and LCSWs, all share a common goal of helping clients improve their mental health and well-being. If you are seeking mental health services, it's important to find a provider who is licensed and trained to address your specific concerns, regardless of their specific professional designation.
I’ve started therapy and my therapist is ‘ok’. I’m not sure if I’m asking too much of them. What qualities SHOULD I expect in my therapist?
Therapy is YOUR journey and if your needs aren’t being met, or something feels ‘off’ with your therapist/therapy, don’t hesitate to discuss this with your therapist! Therapists want your feedback, we want you to have a good experience and we even want to know when you feel like we might not be the best fit for you! Every therapist is a different human being, has different areas of expertise and will approach the process in a slightly unique way. There are, however, certain qualities you should expect from ANY therapist. They are:
1. Empathy: A good therapist should be able to understand your emotions and experiences in a compassionate and non-judgmental way.
2. Active listening: A skilled therapist should be able to actively listen to you, which includes not only hearing what you’re saying but also picking up on non-verbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice.
3. Strong communication skills: An effective therapist should be able to communicate clearly and effectively with you, including explaining therapeutic concepts and providing feedback.
4. Non-judgmental attitude: A good therapist should be able to create a safe and non-judgmental space for you to share their thoughts and feelings.
5. Flexibility: A great therapist should be able to adapt their therapeutic approach to meet your needs. If your goals are not aligned with their skill set or approach, they should supportively walk you through the process of connecting with another therapist who is a better clinical fit. Don’t be afraid to ask for this if you feel your therapist isn’t meeting your needs.
6. Respect for diversity: A good therapist should respect, value and embrace all diversity, including differences in culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion.
7. Ethical and professional conduct: A skilled therapist should adhere to ethical and professional standards and maintain boundaries with their clients.
8. Continual self-improvement: A great therapist should continually seek to improve their knowledge and skills through ongoing training and education.
Overall, an excellent therapist should have the ability to build a trusting and supportive relationship with you and provide you with the tools and guidance you need to achieve your therapeutic goals.
How long will it take to reach our goals in therapy?
This is one of the frequently asked question about therapy our client engagement specialist hears when clients inquire about these services. The answer is… it depends. Let me share why we can’t give a firm answer to this question.
Every individual is unique. Every relationship is unique. Every therapist is a unique individual. It is impossible to say that any therapist, or model of therapy, can effectively predict the length of time it will take all clients to reach their goals without first conducting a thorough assessment of the client(s)’s situation.
We wouldn’t ever wish to set your expectations regarding the duration of therapy and then be unable to meet them.
Instead, we will share the variables that contribute to successful therapy:
Clinical training/skill of the therapist: Therapists with experience and specialty training in the areas you wish to focus on are likely to provide you with the best experience in the shortest period of time. These therapists can identify blocks to progress more quickly and are often more skilled in guiding you through them.
Connection between the client(s) and the therapist: Research shows that this is THE most important factor relating to therapy outcomes. Clients who feel a connection with their therapist, and truly believe in their ability to help them, have better therapy outcomes. This is something that unfortunately can only be assessed once you begin meeting with your therapist. Be sure to give the relationship between you and your therapist enough time to develop while also being mindful if your gut says ‘this isn’t a great fit’, to trust your gut and address it or move on to a new therapist.
Frequency of therapy and length of sessions: Weekly therapy is the gold standard for successful therapy, with relationship therapy engaging in 75-minute sessions (rather than 50 minutes). Research has shown that frequency of sessions, and session length, contribute to successful therapy outcomes. We definitely see this play out in our practice too! We strongly encourage clients to attend therapy on a weekly basis until they have reached their goals. Those who decrease frequency prematurely often experience a significant decrease in momentum and progress and can sometimes begin to doubt the process. As emotionally focused therapists, we believe the weekly cadence is important as we help our clients break old, embedded negative patterns and create new, positive patterns. Working with clients in a less frequent cadence can interrupt that change process and allow old, undesired patterns to continue to impact the client(s). We do know that not everyone can manage weekly therapy and in those cases, we will work with you to give you the best possible experience! Though the process will be slower, it will still be effective and you will still experience positive changes!
Clients’ willingness and ability to be open to the process: Every client who enters our office has life experiences that influence their willingness and ability to be open and vulnerable in a new setting. We honor your culture and your history as we are attuned to your capacity. We are trained to ensure we don’t work too quickly (leaving you feeling confused/pressured/blamed etc) or too slowly (leaving you wondering if you’ll ever make progress). We are also trained to identify when the block to progress needs to be more firmly and directly assessed in order for therapy to continue effectively. We do this respectfully and curiously, and never through the eyes of judgment or blame.
In summary, the answer to this question that we feel is most honest is: ‘We won’t know until we begin the work and get to you know you/your relationship(s). However, we can honestly say that therapy is rarely as ‘brief’ as people wish it was and it is never as long as they fear it will be.’
Do you take insurance? What are your rates?
We currently accept Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for all of our services.
We currently are not participating with any insurance companies. However, we are considered ‘out of network’ (OON)providers which means we can provide you with the documentation you need to submit a request to your insurance company for reimbursement. Since all insurers are different, and every policy is unique, we invite you to inquire about your OON coverage if covering your therapy expenses out of pocket would result in financial hardship for you.
The fee for our services depends on which therapist you see and your session length. Fees are set according to the therapist’s level of expertise, experience, and training. Our fees range from $80 - $250 for 50-minute sessions and $120-$375 for 75-minute sessions. Our client engagement specialist can provide you with a lot more detail regarding our services and our therapists when you speak live.