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What are the differences between a psychologist, a counselor and a therapist?

“Therapist” is a general term that often refers to health/mental health providers from various disciplines and license standings. “Counselor” usually denotes a provider with minimal education and training, and can be a broader term for providers. Requirements to be a psychologist include the following: 4-6 years of graduate school, possession of Doctoral degree, minimum 5 years of supervised experience, both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral, completion of either a dissertation or doctoral project, and to be licensed, passing the respective federal and state licensing exams.

There are several types of mental health providers; however, I have listed the common providers:

  • Licensed Psychologist (Licensed Psy.D. or Ph.D)

    • Doctoral degree (4-6 years of schooling)

    • 5 years of supervised clinical experience

    • Assessment and Testing privilege

  • Psychiatrist (M.D.)

    • Medical degree

    • Medication prescription privilege

  • Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist (LMFT)

    • Master’s degree (2 years of schooling)

    • 2 years of training through internships

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    • Master’s degree (3 years of schooling)

    • 2 years of training through internships

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    • Master’s degree (2 years of schooling)

    • 2 years of training through internships

what are some reasons that people go to therapy?

People come to therapy for many different reasons. Therapy is all about you and your wants and needs for the benefit and growth of yourself. There are some people that are not sure what they are looking for from therapy exactly, which is more than ok, because you and your therapist will collaborate to figure out possible therapy topics. Here are some common reasons for people who come to therapy:

  • Overwhelming sadness, rumination, inability to move forward from past events

  • Not feeling like yourself anymore, feeling lost, feeling unsure about life

  • Social anxiety, how to develop and maintain friendships, sustaining deeper connections with others

  • Stress: related to i.e. career, work relationships, career path, identity, pressures, dating, family

  • Self-exploration and self-growth

  • Relationship issues: i.e. family members, parents, in-laws, partners

  • Conflict resolution

  • Communication skills

  • Relationship skills

  • Managing self-regulation and intense emotions and reactions

  • Feeling out of control

  • Unhealthy perfectionism

  • Feeling alone, isolated

  • Unresolved childhood issues

  • Adjustment to life’s changes: i.e. graduating from college, being married, having a child, losing a job, losing a relationship, new job, loss and grief

  • Self-esteem/worth, having insecurities, anxiety related to social media and self

  • Anger and irritability but not knowing why

  • Feeling stuck in life, feeling bored of life, feeling unfulfilled in life

  • Internal conflict, ambivalence, difficulty with decision-making

  • Feeling uncomfortable in life, that “things don’t feel right”

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.

A licensed clinical psychotherapist can assist you with a place and time where you can dedicate on focusing on just yourself. The psychotherapist should honor the space, providing you with a strong sense of safety and security for you to explore your thoughts, feelings and actions and think about ways to help make you and your life improve. Sometimes, people can become overwhelmed with emotions or stress, impacting their perception, sense of clarity and hope. Literature and research purports that having a competent professional specifically trained to support you during times of self-reflection and processing complicated experiences can be beneficial, in many ways. Therapy does not necessarily constitute people coming in with significant “problems/issues.” Most of my clients aspire to experience challenges for growth, build self-development, practice authenticity of self, and to learn long-standing ways to achieve on-going personal and emotional successes.

can you prescribe medication?

As a psychologist, I am not able to prescribe medication. We can explore your questions about medications and based on your decision, we can move forward by finding the right psychiatrist (M.D.) for you.

what are my confidentiality rights?

The Board of Psychology upholds the highest standards for client and psychologist confidentiality. We know that the therapeutic relationship depends on confidentiality for the success of the relationship and collaborative work.

For the most part, your information cannot be disclosed without your permission. However, there are some legal exceptions:

  • Insurance purposes: Insurance companies require identifying information, diagnosis, and treatment plan in order to cover your therapy sessions.

  • Suspected child abuse or dependent/elder abuse.

  • Client and others safety: If there is any imminent threat of danger towards self or others, I am mandated to report it to the appropriate authorities, and we will discuss this step together.

what makes an exceptional therapist?

Here are some indicators of a highly competent therapist:

  • Incorporates/considers the most recent “best practices” presented by their governing board

  • Compassionate

  • Actively engaged with client and treatment

  • Knowledgeable

  • Having understanding (analysis and synthesis of information)

  • Passionate

  • Honest/Transparent

  • Exhibits professionalism

  • Effective listener and communicator

  • Conscientious

  • Collaborative with you and treatment team

  • Resourceful

  • Can provide Holistic and Integrative approaches

  • Strong work ethic

  • Confidence

  • Thorough and comprehensive

  • Cultural aware and mindful/Diversity and inclusion-oriented

  • More “root”-focused, less symptom-focused

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AS A NEW CLIENT?

  • Contact Dr. Lee through call, text, email, or on the website, page “Contact”, and fill out the boxes

  • Fill out “New Client” forms, emailed by Dr. Lee’s electronic health records (HIPAA-compliant) system

  • That’s it!