Counseling FAQ

What do all those letters mean?
Often you will see a grouping or string of letters behind a mental health professional’s name. If you’re not in the field of mental health, they can be baffling at best and intimidating at worst. The letters stand for the degree or license held by the practitioner and can be a sign of their training and experience. Here is a list of commonly seen credentials:

MA – Master of Arts: Meaning the person received a master’s degree in counseling. This is the minimum requirement for a mental health counselor.
LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor: A licensure designating someone who is credentialed to be a mental health counselor.
LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Another licensure indicating that someone is a mental health counselor.
LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor: Although they can provide any kind of mental health counseling, they specialize in marriage and family counseling.
CAC (I, II, II) – Certified Addictions Counselor: Varying levels of addictions counselors. They generally do not hold masters degrees (some do) but have taken courses in order to specialize in addictions counseling.
LADC - Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor: The highest level of addiction counselor.
PhD – Psychologist: This person holds a doctorate degree in counseling or psychology. They can conduct mental health therapy as well as psychological testing.
PsyD – Psychologist: This person holds a doctorate of psychology. This is a more clinical track than the research based PhD. They are also trained in therapy and psychological testing.
MD – Psychiatrist: A doctor who went to medical school and specialized in psychiatry. They can prescribe medications. Most typically do not conduct therapy.

Can my therapist prescribe medications?
No, most therapists cannot prescribe medication. Typically the only mental health professionals that can prescribe medications are psychiatrists (MD, DO), nurses with prescriptive privileges (APN, APX, APRN), and physician assistants (PA). However, there are now some Psychologists that have been given prescriptive privileges in some states.

Questions to ask my therapist when I am looking for a good fit:

• Talk to your therapist a bit about their specialties to see if they match up with what you are looking for (depression, anxiety, marital, parenting, etc).
• Ask their hours, fee scales, payment structures, cancellation policy, and emergency procedures to make sure you can get appointments when you need them, afford the appointments you have, and get help when you need it.
• Inquire about their style. Do they conduct brief, goal oriented sessions or do they prefer exploring feelings? Keep in mind the way you talk to friends and family. Do you like to vent your issues, not really expecting a solution or do you prefer to tell your story and immediately problem solve? Every therapist has a style and they can verbalize it if you ask.
• Ask about their office. Do they have a receptionist? Will you be seeing other clients while you are there? Assess your comfort level with their environment.
• Briefly describe the reason you are seeking counseling. Ask the therapist if they feel they can help you with those issues.

Who gets counseling?
These days, people seeking counseling run the gamut. They are young, old, wealthy, or living on a budget. They have marital problems, parenting troubles, anxiety, work issues, sadness, or anger. They may feel unfulfilled, are looking for a new life path, or just need to vent about life.

Is my information confidential?
Everything that you write or tell to a therapist is strictly confidential. They are required by law to keep your information secure and private. They can never release your information without your written consent. Exceptions around confidentiality are issues of safety.  Every therapist will have a confidentiality statement. Every therapist will have a confidentiality statement. Ask for it if you’d like to have a copy.

How long are counseling sessions?
Typically 50 minutes but check with your counselor.

What can I expect during the counseling process?
The first session will usually be spent talking about why you are seeking counseling. This can include information about your work, home life, physical wellness, and background. Answering these questions as honestly and completely as possible will better help your therapist address the issues at hand. As sessions progress, you will get into the meat of the issues. Depending on your therapist’s style they may role play, assign homework, set goals, or ask you detailed questions about your thoughts and feelings. It is typical for a counselor to not give advice. Most clients find it beneficial to discover answers and solutions on their own. The counselor is there to facilitate that process. When you get close to addressing all the issues you have come in with, the therapist will begin discussing closing out therapy sessions. How and when you do this will be up to you and your counselor. Remember, if it doesn’t feel like a good fit, that’s okay. There are many other counseling professionals out there and someone will match your style, needs, and desires.

Source

MINES & Associates' HealthPsychology Team

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