FAQs about counseling, coaching, psychotherapy, and finding therapy in Missoula
You’re looking for help moving through a difficult time in your life. When people talk about therapists in Missoula, are they talking about psychologists or counselors? What is a coach and how is it different from a therapist? There are many different names for the types of professionals who are trained to help you move through your problems. This blog will hopefully help you understand the differences (and the similarities) between these professions.
What is therapy?
Therapy is a working relationship between a licensed mental health professional and a client. The client usually needs support to help manage difficult thoughts and feelings, get through a challenging time, or to make changes in their life. Therapy can be brief, or it can be ongoing, depending on the severity of the problem and the approach.
What is counseling?
Counseling is a branch of therapy in which the professional has gone to a counseling program for at least a Master’s degree. It is guided by principles of wellness, prevention, empowerment, and recognition of the stages we go through as we develop throughout our lives. Counselors are trained specifically to work in a therapeutic setting.
are counseling and therapy the same thing?
Counseling and therapy can be used interchangeably in most cases. Of course, there are different types of counselors (financial, school, etc.) and different types of therapy (physical therapy, speech therapy, etc.) that are not for mental health, but that’s not what we’re talking about right now. Whether your therapist is a counselor, a licensed clinical social worker, or a psychologist, they have an advanced degree that has prepared them to work with people who are struggling with their mental health.
Wait, what about LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologists, LMHC, etc.? What do I need?
We sometimes call this Alphabet Soup! So many letters, and they mean different things, even though they provide similar services. All of the above abbreviations refer to different licensed mental health therapists. They all have different graduate programs that prepare clinicians to work with clients who have mental health concerns.
What about coaching? Is a coach what I need instead of a therapist?
Coaching is a different field from therapy. You’ve probably heard of life coaches. There are also coaches for executive functioning, weight-loss, all sorts of things. Coaches in Montana do not have any licensing requirements. Coaches might have a certification. On the other hand, counselors and therapists in Montana must be licensed.
While a therapist can provide coaching, a coach may not provide therapy, unless they are a licensed therapist as well. Coaching is usually focused on specific, concrete goals and does not delve into the past or underlying mental health concerns. Coaching is not covered by health insurance plans.