Souto Counseling
& Consulting

Choosing the Right Therapist 

With so many “titles” and credentials it is hard to determine what it all means. Therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling all are the same thing: talk therapy. What a “therapist”, “counselor” or “psychotherapist” spealizes in depends on their experience, training, and overall comfort level of treating that diagnosis or situation. A Clinical Psychologist is different from a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in that a psychologist has completed a doctorate program that either focused on scientific research, teaching experience, or counseling and psychological services. However, there are more similarities than you would think. Both professionals must obtain a state licenses in order to practice, and both are trained to provide direct clinical mental services to those struggling with an emotional or behavioral issue. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is the creditenial of the state licensure obtain to practice therapy, typically LMHCs have a Master’s Degree.  A Psychiatrist, on the other hand, is primarilary a trained medical doctor, and they can presecribe medications.  They tend to spend much of their time with clients on medication management as a course of treatment.

The bottom line here is that your connection or rapport with your therapist, Clinical Psychologist, or Psychiatrist, is the most important factor in making significant changes in your life.  Should you require medication to help you along your path I will work closely with your psychiatrist or make a referral to one. 

Through my years of practice I have taken away some helpful tips from other seasoned professionals in the field. Below is letter written by Simon Budman (Clinical Psychologist). His words acurrately reflect the importance of your role in the client / therapist relationship.