Finding a Therapist in Seattle
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It’s hard enough to deal with the grayness Seattle brings most of the year let alone the other challenges that come up in life. All that rain leads to green summers full of beauty, which can be hard to remember in the moment. It can be really hard to try to find a therapist in Seattle when you aren’t feeling like yourself. Many providers don’t return calls, emails or other inquires. It’s important to know there are people who care out there. I’m here to help.
I want to help you find a therapist in Seattle
Each type of helping professional comes from a different perspective. It’s important to understand some of the differences to pick the person who is right for you. All of the following professions have graduate degrees and licensed individuals must obtain certain levels of continuing education ethical guidelines to maintain their license. Here are some general differences in professionals.
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LICSW: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Psychologist: Additional graduate school, have a PhD or PsyD. They can practice therapy and they usually do more analyzing, observation and research. Often they can do official psychological testing that masters level therapists cannot.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating mental health patients and can prescribe medication.
PMHNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, can do most things a Psychiatrist can do.
Non-licensed/Non-regulated Providers
Mental health professionals have extensive education and regulation to help protect clients from harm and contribute to positive outcomes. Life coaching tends to focus on meeting goals and overcoming obstacles, whereas therapy takes more consideration of the past and has a focus on alleviating suffering. Life coaching has a code of ethics, but is an unregulated industry with no education standards or regulating body. Life coaches aren’t bound by confidentiality and are not mandated reporters. A therapist, counselor, psychologist can do what a life coach does, but a life coach can’t do what a therapist does. This doesn’t mean all life coaches are bad, there are great ones out there! Just be a mindful and educated consumer.
It’s important to educate yourself on the different backgrounds of a mental health professional and find someone who works with your specific issues. Talk to a few different providers to see who you click with and who can help you make the most change.
A free consultation with a therapist in Seattle
I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Seattle. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 206-965-9885 or schedule a free 15 minute consultation on my website. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking therapy in Seattle, check out my specialties: infertility, pregnancy loss, medical trauma, health issues, anxiety, and grief.
Check out my other blog posts about finding therapy.
Learn more about Chelsea here.