Finding a Mental Health Provider
Written By: Nina Geoffroy-Suppes, MSW, SWC
1/17/2023
Finding a therapist that is the right fit for you can be exhausting! Many people think that they are one size fits all, and if you have had a bad experience with one, you will have a bad experience with all, but that is simply not the case.
To start: there are many different licenses a therapist can have. Below you will find many primary types and their practice beliefs to help you narrow down which type of professional may be the right fit for you.
LPC- Licensed Professional Counselor: “Professional counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals” (ACA). This requires an MA in Counseling to practice.
CSW (formerly LCSW)- Licensed Clinical Social Worker: “Clinical social work has a primary focus on the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of individuals, couples, families, and groups. It centers on a holistic approach to psychotherapy and the client’s relationship to his or her environment. Clinical social work views the client’s relationship with his or her environment as essential to treatment planning” (NASW). This requires a MSW to practice.
SWC- Clinical Social Work Candidate: this is a person who has received the education and training to be a CSW, however, they are practicing under the supervision of a CSW until they obtain sufficient hours for licensure.
NCA- National Certified Addiction Counselor: “provide expert care and support to people who struggle with a variety of mental health disorders. That usually means a dependence on drugs and alcohol. However, addiction counselors help people manage and overcome other types of addictions as well, such as gambling addiction” (Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies). There are many different levels of addiction counselors with varying levels of education.
PSY- Psychologist: are trained in counseling practices, diagnostics, and research. This requires a PhD or PsyD to practice.
PSYC- Psychologist Candidate: this is a person who has received the education and training to be a PSY, however, they are practicing under the supervision of a PSY until they obtain sufficient hours for licensure
All the professionals listed above may practice individual, group, family, or couples therapy based on their type of practice, need of client(s). specialties, and training.
Now, you will want to find a therapist. Check out the sites below to find therapy profiles for providers in your area. Here at Pure Balance Health Systems LLC, we offer our first session free to help you make the decision about whether or not we are the right fit for you.
Nina Geoffroy-Suppes, MSW, SWC at Pure Balance Health Systems LLC
Nina is a Clinical Social Work Candidate in the process of getting her Doctor of Education in Behavioral Health Leadership. She takes a strengths based approach to therapy and utilizes tools such as mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and CBT to help her clients meet their unique needs and empower them to reach their goals. She also offers success coaching to help individuals of all ages reach their unique goals. Her objective is to help others be the best version of themselves by meeting them where they are at. Nina is particularly experienced in working with adolescent and young adult clients, families, transgender individuals and others in the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and those struggling with suicidal ideation or self-harm. She also has experience helping those with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Soon, Nina will also be providing self-transformation and energy healing services as well!
Where adolescents in Colorado under 21 can receive 6 free therapy sessions through 2023. Kids over 12 can sign up without a guardian’s consent. There is a listing of providers to choose from with profiles and pictures
Psychology Today Therapist Finder
You can search a national listing of therapists by location, insurance, specialty, and more
You can search a national listing of therapists by location, insurance, specialty, and more
Remember, if you do not like them, that is ok! You can try someone else! They are not one-size fits all. Shop around and find the person who can help you grow. If you need any assistance, fill out a contact form and we would be happy to help you navigate this process.
References
ACA (n.d.). 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/about-us/about-aca/20-20-a-vision-for-the-future-of-counseling
Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies (n.d.). What is an Addiction Counselor? Retrieved from: https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/graduate-school-addiction-studies/what-are-addiction-counselors
NASW (2005). NASW Standards for Clinical Social Work in Social Work Practice. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=YOg4qdefLBE%3D&portalid=0
