A Beginner’s Guide to Therapy Terminology

When you first begin searching for a mental health professional, you may feel overwhelmed by all the new terminology. What’s an LMFT or an LCSW? What’s the difference between a generalist and a specialist? What credentials, if any, might be misleading?

First, it’s important to remember there isn’t a right or wrong method for finding your ideal therapy solution. Good therapy can be such a subjective experience. However, there are a few key indicators you can consider when narrowing down your options. Knowing a bit about the many common phrases, titles, and specialties in therapy puts you in a better position to use those indicators to your advantage.

This guide will demystify that new language for you. Ideally, it will also help you feel more informed in moving forward with your treatment. Let’s get to it!

“Therapist” is an umbrella term that many mental health professionals share. When looking for a therapist, you may see various letter combinations behind each person’s name. Let’s review some of the common ones.

Doctoral Degrees

Master’s Level Degrees

Here’s What Really Matters When It Comes to Credentials

Even mental health professionals often disagree about the “right” education or skills for establishing competence in this work. That being said, there are still a few essential factors all licensed therapists must have:

• A graduate-level degree.
• Extensive clinical training, which can range from 1,000-4,000 hands-on hours.
• Successful completion of board exams.
• Active licensure within their practicing state.

You can always check to see if a potential therapist’s license is in good standing. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) is a good place to start. You can also ask what specific license the therapist holds and look it up through your particular state.

Therapists and psychologists can both provide therapy. Both professionals treat a variety of populations and issues, and they both receive similar mental health training.

Psychologists have more education than therapists. They must complete a doctoral degree as part of their practice. In addition to therapy, many psychologists actively conduct research, teach, and perform psychological assessments.

While therapists may also engage in research or academia, most of them have exclusive training in talk therapy. They tend to look at problems through a systemic lens, which means they perceive how individual behavior emerges from familial or cultural expectations.

Ultimately, there isn’t a universal answer to how you should choose. Many people benefit from working with a therapist at first. However, those who have a highly specialized issue might consider meeting with a psychologist.

Finally, it’s important to remember that only qualified psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Your therapist or psychologist can provide you with referrals if you need this service. If you work with a psychiatrist, they may provide therapy themselves. They may also coordinate their care with your therapist.

All therapists have different areas of focus. It’s important to find a professional who specializes in your specific concern.

Unfortunately, expertise can be somewhat knotty as an attribute in the mental health industry. The term itself isn’t regulated, and anyone can claim they are an “expert” in a certain topic. Some providers may take a class or training in one issue and then believe they know how to treat it.

If you’re concerned about a therapist’s competence or unsure whether they can help you with your particular needs, it’s okay to ask about their background. Some good questions include:

• What kinds of experience do you have working with this problem?
• What kind of training have you done in this area?
• What types of outcomes can I expect in this work?
• What types of treatment styles do you typically use?
• How will we collaborate on my therapy goals?
• What happens if I don’t make progress?

Qualified therapists will answer these questions with ease. Many times, they’ll invite you to address any of your concerns before and during the treatment process. It’s important for you to ask about anything that you deem as significant.

Choosing Between an Experienced Versus a New Therapist

Many people assume that more experience inherently means more competence. While this is sometimes the case, it isn’t a universal truth.

Experienced therapists tend to be older (due to simply having more years of practice!), and they may have more extensive training working with your specific issue. They may also charge more for their services and have fewer availabilities.

However, it’s a misconception that newer therapists cannot provide effective work. Newer therapists receive consistent supervision, training, and feedback. Fresh out of school, many of them are well-versed in the latest treatment models. Additionally, their services may be more affordable.

More than anything, therapy is about the relationship. Feeling comfortable, heard, and understood tends to be far more important than the level of experience your provider brings to the equation.

Just like therapists specialize in different issues and populations, they also intervene differently with their clients. Some therapists use one modality exclusively, but most integrate various techniques from several modalities.

Let’s explore some of the most common approaches.

Now that you know more about these different modalities, how can you decide which one is best for you? The answer may depend on why you’re seeking therapy in the first place.

Practical Solutions

If you are in distress and want immediate relief, cognitive models like CBT or DBT focus on substituting negative coping skills for more positive ones. These models tend to be short-term, and your therapist may assign homework to help keep you on track between sessions.

Support and Validation

Many people enter therapy because they feel alone, frustrated, or scared. They may not know how to process these emotions or reach out to others about how they feel. In these cases, humanistic models like client-centered therapy or existential therapy may be a good fit. Additionally, you may benefit from group therapy, as groups can provide support and reassure you that you aren’t alone in your struggles.

Increasing Self-Awareness

Do you continue to find yourself wondering why you do the things you do? Do you feel like issues from your past continue to impact your present life? Psychodynamic therapy helps you understand your unconscious motives and reconcile parts of your past.

Relationship Concerns

Couples or family therapy can be extremely helpful for people struggling in their relationships. These therapies focus on treating the entire unit as a client. In other words, it’s not about assigning blame or choosing who’s right in a particular argument. Your therapist will teach you all how to assume personal responsibility, set healthy boundaries, and increase appropriate communication with your loved ones.

Dissatisfaction With Previous Therapy Experiences

You might be seeking a therapist after feeling disappointed with past treatment episodes. If that’s the case, it’s important to share these concerns during your first session. Try to be specific about what did or didn’t work for you. It’s impossible for all therapists to be a good fit for all clients. But by highlighting the issues, a new therapist can intervene differently.

Therapy can be scary, and it’s not always apparent to know if it’s working. But after meeting with a new provider, consider if you feel these positive signs:

• A sense of being understood.
• Feeling validated about your feelings and needs.
• The desire to return and continue talking.
• Increased energy, as if you feel motivated to work on this issue.
• Feeling like your therapist showed a genuine interest in your life.
• A clear understanding of how the therapeutic process will work.
• Some discomfort (usually associated with talking about vulnerable topics).

If you feel some or all of these positive signs, that’s a strong indicator that you may have found a successful match.

Keep in mind that it may take a few more sessions to feel more comfortable with your therapist. After all, just like in any relationship, it takes time to get to know someone! Making the most of therapy requires effort and commitment whether you’re seeking therapy online or in person. If you’re one of the many people accessing therapy from home through a device, visit our guide to getting the most out of your online therapy.

When choosing a therapist, many popular platforms like BetterHelp or Talkspace use algorithms to match clients with qualified professionals. At this time, the nature of these algorithms isn’t known. However, these sites indicate they match clients to counselors who fit their specific objectives and preferences.

Regardless of the exact details behind this approach, this convenient option takes some of the guesswork out of combing through endless therapists. Many times, people feel so overwhelmed by finding the right person that they don’t know where to start.

Instead of making an initial phone call, scheduling a consultation, and waiting a few days (or even weeks), these platforms offer instant access to a qualified professional. If you’re looking for immediate relief, this option can be invaluable.

Furthermore, many online platforms make it incredibly easy to change therapists. Just like with any therapy, you don’t owe anyone an explanation for making a change. You’re allowed to switch providers at any time. For those using BetterHelp, we’ve compiled our top 7 insider tips to finding the best therapist for you.

It’s not uncommon to meet with several therapists before finding the one that feels best to you. Keep that in mind if you’re finding yourself feeling dismayed or even resentful by the process.

The process of finding the right therapist will look different for everyone. There isn’t a precise science because there is no true way to quantify the abstract symbiosis within a successful therapeutic relationship.

Additionally, it’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you need. Many people enter therapy because they know something isn’t working, but they may not know what that something is.

It’s normal to feel hesitant about starting therapy. If this is your first time asking for help, congratulate yourself for taking that brave, initial step. Help is available -- many people find that reaching out is one of the best decisions they make for improving their mental health.