For those of you who are shoe fanatics, then you will easily relate to my analogy. Selecting the right therapist is like shopping for an amazing pair of shoes that you have long been coveting. You don’t necessarily have to buy the first fabulous pair of shoes that you see, right? When you look to invest in your mental health, similar to investing in your physical health and your own sense of personal style, you are looking for something that is comfortable, lasts for a long time, and is reliable; it may take a little time to find that perfect fit, but it is worth it in the long run!
I always tell people who are new to therapy that if initially they don’t feel that their therapist is a good match for them, don’t give up! If after 3-5 sessions, it still doesn’t feel like a good match, discuss it with your therapist and request a few referrals for other therapists. Although it may feel discouraging, just know that there IS a therapist out there that is right for you. The first thing that you should decide when selecting a therapist is what type of mental health professional you would like to see. Below is a quick description of different mental health professionals in the state of California. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are therapists licensed by the state that they are practicing in. They possess a master's degree in social work. Emphasis is on primary service in psychosocial diagnosis, assessment and treatment, client advocacy, consultation, evaluation and research. Requirements for licensure include a related two-year master's or doctoral degree passage, of comprehensive examinations, and completion of at least 3,200 hours of supervised experience. (An ASW is a social worker who is working towards getting their license; they are supervised by an LCSW). Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) are psychologists who possess a master’s degree in psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, counseling and guidance, and must complete three years of full time experience (or the equivalent to three years of experience) working as a school psychologist and pass an exam. They often provide educational evaluations, consultation for educators, testing, and Interpretation of diagnostic tests related to academic learning processes including tests of academic ability, learning patterns, achievement, motivation, and personality factors. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are psychotherapists licensed by the state that they are practicing in. They have a master's degree in psychology, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, or marital and family therapy. Emphasis is on primary service in counseling and psychotherapy from a variety of therapeutic orientations with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Requirements for licensure include a related two-year master's or doctoral degree passage, of comprehensive examinations, and completion of at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience. (An MFT Intern is a therapist who is working towards getting their license; they are supervised by an MFT). Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have graduated Medical School and who specialize in psychiatry. Emphasis on primary service in prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications and sometimes offers psychotherapy. Many LCSW and MFT therapists will work collaboratively with Psychiatrists. For example, if a therapist thinks that their client may be experiencing depression, they may refer their client to a Psychiatrist for further evaluation, and that Psychiatrist may prescribe medication. Psychologists possesses a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field with a license to practice therapy and conduct psychological testing and research. They must have completed 3,000 hours of supervised experience. It is important to ensure that your therapist is not only right for you, but is licensed and monitored by a governing body. Below are the ways that you can ensure that they are indeed legit: In California, you can check to ensure that your LCSW, MFT, or LEP therapist is licensed by going to the Board of Behavioral Sciences website and verifying their license. In California, you can check to ensure that your Psychologist is licensed by going to the Department of Consumer Affairs California Board of Psychology and verifying their license. In California, you can check to ensure that your Psychiatrist is licensed by going to the Department of Consumer Affairs California Medical Board and verifying their license.
3 Comments
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