*Updated * Counseling question

MintChocoChip

So I decided to bite the bullet and make an appt to talk to someone, but who should I call?  I don't take medication so my options are: licensed professional counselor, clinical social worker, and clinical psychologist.  Thoughts?  Anyone know the difference? I just need to talk to someone to get some feelings out instead of keeping them in my head...

 

ETA: I got an appt for tonight. It was important for me to speak to a female dr so I got lucky I found someone with an opening so soon.  I hope I like her!  Thanks for the help.

beansNgreens

Good for you, MCC. Once I decided to talk to a professional, it was the best decision I had ever made for myself.

Sorry I can't be of much help though, as I really don't know the difference between all of the titles. The woman I see though is a LPC.

CLW102409

My therapist's official title is "Licensed Clinical Social Worker".

hainesherway

My therapist's card says "Limited Licensed Psychologist" and "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist".  She cannot prescribe meds though.

Sapphire70

I was given a handful of business cards and all those titles are represented.  I'm going for the Licensed Professional Counselor because she is also listed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and I have children so she may also work with them at a later date.

MintChocoChip

Thanks for help, this opens things up a bit.  I just need someone who isn't my mom to talk to.

dmarie979

The biggest difference is the type and amount of schooling that is required for each degree. IMHO one isn't "better" than the other and it really is personal preference as to which you will like the most.

Instead of focusing on the creditials, maybe pick 3 and focus on their individual accomplishments. Call and do a mini interview over the phone. Ask them how long they have been practicing, what their specialty is and if they are certified in any areas (i.e. marriage and family, etc) and then pick from there.

LandOBiscuit

Mine is a licensed psychologist and is really great. Everything he has said is spot on. And I already see some improvement. 

ETA: he has been working since 1974 with all types of people. Inmates, kids...and he is focusing on me not on my divorce. What I learn with him, I can use in everyday life. I was basically too nice and a people pleaser. We are working on my assertiveness. I am impressed at how much people respect you when you just say no and don't justify it (which I was doing because i felt bad for saying no). I have lots of positive results and I get what I want just by saying no. Crazy.

NinjaPaants

I got to see a good mix of the different counseling professionals on the psych floor over the summer. In my experience the social worker wasn't as great to talk to about feelings and didn't seem to be as effective. Their schooling is more broad. The licensed professional counselor was awesome. He seemed to ask better questions to make the patients think and the exercises he did with them were more beneficial.

dmarie979

NinjaPaants:

In my experience the social worker wasn't as great to talk to about feelings and didn't seem to be as effective.

It really depends on their credentials and their schooling. LCSW are required to have 3 years of clinical experience under a LCSW before they can sit for the exam. I think they would be your best bet if you went with a social worker.