Coaching advocates say they provide a distinct service that helps clients work on their goals for the future and create a new life path. While psychotherapy shares similarities to coaching, therapy focuses on addressing problems that are causing current distress and addressing root causes to resolve the problem and lower distress levels. Clients in need of coaching are often individuals who are seeking a new career or path and simply need a mentor or accountability partner to help make a plan and follow it. While therapy is covered by insurance life coaching is not. Here is an extensive article on the distinctions.

MA stands for Master of Arts. A Master of Arts (MA) in counseling is a humanities-based postgraduate degree. MA degrees are often interdisciplinary, incorporating skills and knowledge from subjects like history, philosophy, literature, ethics, and psychology. Many MA programs require students to complete a thesis or a research project to graduate. A thesis project or research papers are not always req uired, but both involve crafting an argument on a specific topic. Research projects, required or elective, are a great way to bolster your resume. MA in counseling programs offer a unique set of courses and seminars designed to prepare students to work as trained clinicians.

LPCCs are Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors and they are trained to work with everyone, including individuals, families or groups, on any issue that impacts mental health. LPCCs are employed by all kinds of groups, including hospitals, health centers and government agencies. Becoming an LPCC requires a master’s degree, completion of a minimum of 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience and passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

The National Certified Counselor (NCC) is the premier counseling certification. Becoming a board certified counselor demonstrates to your colleagues and the public that you have voluntarily met high national standards for the practice of counseling.

Do you experience persistent problems or emotional and psychological conditions that seem to have no resolution? Are you at a point where you are feeling overwhelmed and are experiencing anxiety or depression? Do you struggle with mood regulation, social connections, isolation, conflict? It may be worth speaking to a counselor to find out if therapy can help. A therapist can help you sort these out and partner with you to help you get back on track.

Numerous studies cite the benefits of therapy and recent research indicates that therapy can often be more effective than medication for depression or anxiety and even PTSD. An article on Huffington Post discusses the benefits of merely voicing worries and the effects of these on our mood. Detailed articles can be read on benefits here.

A 1995 study conducted by Martin Seligman found that psychotherapy produced positive effects in 92% of individuals who participated in therapy and completed the survey. Seligman (1995) found that the length of therapy correlated with better outcomes. Individuals who were actively engaged in the therapeutic process by being open, asking questions, and following up obtained much improvement.

Therapy requires a commitment on behalf of the client to attend, participate in sessions, and commit to the treatment plan. Clients benefit from therapy when engaged and fully committed to the process which can include reading books, communication, written exercises, ets. Therapy requires a partnership between you and the therapist in order for the client to experience the full benefits it is necessary to establish open communication with your therapist. Not all therapists will be suited to the client’s personality and often a client may need to interview or visit several therapists to find a proper match.

Ask yourself the following questions when interviewing or attending a session. These are not an extensive list but are a good place to start:

• Am I feeling comfortable speaking to the therapist?
• Do I feel I can be open and trust the therapist?
• Are they listening to me?
• What are their qualifications and experience?
• Is this person willing to answer my questions?

All clients are required to complete intake paperwork here. Clients will receive a reminder of their appointment one to two days prior to their appointment. Have a list of questions and topics ready you would like to discuss. Express your problem clearly and be as open and honest as you are able. The first session will often require a history including family, childhood, education, development and background of the problem. The therapist will want to learn about what is bringing you to therapy. Be ready to answer questions and share about your expectations and hope for therapy. Initially, it is recommended that therapy be attended weekly at least for the first four to six sessions. This can change as your goals change. Also, bring ID and insurance cards since they may need to be copied to your records. Relax and get to know the therapist while the therapist works to get to know you.

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