Arise Counseling, LLC

What to look for in your therapist?

Looking for a mental health professional can be overwhelming and confusing, so the goal of this resource piece is to provide some answers to some of your questions.

 

What is an LCPC?

An LCPC stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor which is a mental health professional who has been trained to diagnose and provide psychotherapy services to clients struggling with mental health and emotional issues.

 

What are some of the issues discussed in therapy?

People come to therapy for lots of reasons.  There are those who are struggling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career concerns, and much more.

 

There are so many mental health professionals, how do I choose the right person?

1.  Choosing a trained and licensed professional is the first step and this can be ensured by checking with the local professional board.  In Maryland, the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists regulates LCPCs.

 

   2. Next step would be to reach out online, or by phone to ask the questions that concern you such as availability of time, cost, insurance, location(s), length of session, approach to therapy, etc.

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   3. Use your own instincts to gauge attentiveness, interest, professionalism, and knowledge of your specific concerns when speaking with the therapist.

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   4. Look for someone who makes you feel at ease.  Do you feel comfortable and unjudged? Do you feel like they sincerely care about you?  If so, you may have found the right therapist.

 

How long will it take to fix my issues?

There is no concrete time frame that can fix an issue.  Unpacking issues can sometimes lead to discovery of other issues that need attention as well, so it’s important to be patient with the process. 

 

What if I don’t like my therapist?

At first ask, is it the therapist or is it therapy itself?  The process of therapy is meant to be challenging and that can be uncomfortable, so try to give it time.  

However, if your therapist looks distracted, not engaged, or unprofessional then perhaps it’s time to find a new therapist.  Do not give up if it doesn’t work with the first professional, look for someone else.  Most importantly, don’t give up on yourself.