Choosing A Therapist (Types of licenses and their description)

http://www.gayfriendlytherapists.com/choosing-a-therapist.htm
Here are some things to consider when choosing a therapist:
1. Give yourself credit.
It takes courage to face your pain and discomfort with another human being. You may be nervous at first but that will soon fade once you begin to talk.
2. Ask some friends if they know of a therapist they like.
Having a personal referral may help you be more at ease, knowing someone you know had a good experience with this therapist.
3. Know the different types of therapists.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) are relationship specialists who treat persons involved in interpersonal relationships. They are trained to assess, diagnose and treat individuals, couples, families and groups to achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive individual, marriage, family and social adjustment. The applications of marriage, family, therapeutic principles and methods are used to enable individuals to mature and grow individually and within marriage and the family, and the provision of explanations and interpretations of the psychosexual and psychosocial aspects of relationships. They have at least a master's or doctoral degrees and have passed a state comprehensive examination.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) help people to achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social adjustments. The application of social work principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to, counseling and using applied psychotherapy of a non-medical nature with individuals, families, or groups; providing information and referral services; providing or arranging for the provision of social services; explaining or interpreting the psychosocial aspects in the situations of individuals, families, or groups; helping communities to organize, to provide, or to improve social or health services; or doing research related to social work. Licensed Clinical Social Workers have masters or doctoral degrees in social work, have completed a field supervision program, and are state-licensed/certified. They are qualified to work with groups, families, individuals, and couples.
A Psychologist (Psy.) is a non-medical specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional problems and disorders. Their role involves testing, counseling and/or psychotherapy, without the use of drugs. In most states, a psychologist has completed a doctoral degree from a university program with specialized training and has successfully completed a professional licensure examination.
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and is licensed to practice medicine. They are licensed to prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications for treatment of these disorders. Psychiatrists are first educated, trained, tested and licensed as physicians.
4. If you have insurance call your insurance company and ask questions.
Are you covered for psychotherapy? Does you policy cover couples therapy? How many sessions do you get for the year? What is your Co-pay for each session? If you already know the therapist you want to see, is that therapist covered under your insurance? Do you need prior authorization?
5. Call more than one therapist
Talk a while to the therapist and get a sense of your comfort and how the therapist responds to you. Are they taking time to listen? Do you feel heard? What is your gut feeling?
6. Ask some questions
How long have they been in practice? Do they belong to a professional organization? What is their fee? Do they take your insurance? How long is a session? Questions help you spend some time with the therapist and get a since of what it would be like to be their client.
7. Making an appointment
If your schedule is an issue be sure the therapist has an opening in the time frame you need and if that time will be consistently available. Be sure to write down the date and time and get sufficient directions so you can easily find their office. Give yourself plenty of time to be early.
8. The first session
The therapist will cover some basic structure of doing therapy together. Do you pay each time? Do you pay a co-pay and they bill the insurance or do you pay them the full amount and you receive payment from your insurance? What if you need to cancel an appointment? How much notice do they need. What happens if you do not give the required amount of notice? What about your rights to privacy and confidentiality? How often are you going to see the therapist?
9. Defining the relationship
Therapy never includes sex or sexual advances. This helps keep the therapeutic relationship a safe place for you.
10. Congratulations you have finished your first appointment
Writing a few notes after therapy will be helpful and gives you the opportunity of review what you covered in therapy and what you felt. Sometimes you will talk about something you have so many feelings about you may forget what was said in therapy. If you are use to writing about your therapy after your session you are more apt to retain the thoughts and feelings and apply what you have learned.