Counseling & Coaching Tips
HOW TO SHOP FOR A THERAPIST
Psychotherapists are like ice cream--they come
in many flavors and finding the right one for you makes all the
difference in your degree of satisfaction. In the state of Nevada,
there are four different mental health-related licenses: Psychiatrists
are medical doctors who specialize in brain chemistry and prescribe
medications, Ph.D. level Psychologists specialize in testing
and diagnosis, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) are master's
level professionals who specialize in public health and well
being, and Marriage and Family Therapists (M.F.T.) who are also
at least master's level professionals and specialize in relationship
counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups.
Finding a fully licensed professional is very important.
Licenses are issued by a state to ensure the clinician meets
the established minimum professional standards that usually include
internship(s), written and oral examination, a minimum level
of education, formal recommendations, continuing education requirements
and yearly renewal. Licensing exists for the protection of the
consumer and also provides recourse in the event the consumer
believes a violation of the approved standard of care has occurred.
Licensed professionals will have their degrees, professional
licenses and business license on open display.
Once you have decided which type of professional
is appropriate for your specific needs, it's time to find the
right person for you. The best way to find a therapist is by
referral from a friend who has had a good experience or your
family physician. If your insurance provides mental health coverage,
they should give you a list of approved providers and the number
of sessions they are willing to fund--but be aware of the impact
on your confidentiality if a third party is involved. You can
also go to the Yellow Pages or the Internet for directory listings.
Once you have chosen some names, call those individuals on the
phone and interview them to choose the person you feel most comfortable
seeing. Discuss fees, payment policies, sub-specialities, office
hours and location. A good relationship with the therapist has
been proven repeatedly to have the most powerful impact on the
outcome of the counseling experience.
HOW TO SHOP FOR A COACH
There are many different types of training available,
including Internet, for people who want to start businesses providing
coaching services. While individual training programs may offer
their own "certification", there is no professional
license to become a personal coach, life coach, executive coach,
life strategist, or any other coaching-related title, and therefore,
no state mandated qualifications or educational standards.
When considering hiring a coach of any title, take
the time first to make sure you've found the right match for
you. Ask what qualifies the person to coach you. How
much experience does the person have? What degree(s) are
held and from where? What is the business and career record
of success of the coach? How individualized are the services
to your particular needs versus a generic model that requires
a specific time commitment? If the person is a mental health
professional, what business background does she/he have? Does
the coaching business hold a state approved business license
to conduct business in the state in which it is located? Fees
should be openly discussed prior to any commitment and should
be in writing to protect both parties from any later confusion.
And always look for credible references. Reluctance to provide
any of this information should always be a red flag.
darlene@darlenecross.com
