FAQs about counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, and coaching from a psychologist in Charleston SC

You did the thing! You pushed past your initial reluctance, put fear in the passenger seat, navigated search engines, and courageously asked for referrals. Now you’ve identified a few therapists in Charleston SC who seem like they might be a good fit for you. But some of them say they offer “counseling”; others talk about doing “therapy” or “psychotherapy”; and then there are some who say they provide “coaching”. You’re confused and have lots of questions. What do each of these terms mean, and how will the process actually look?

FAQs about therapy and counseling in Charleston SC

First and foremost, it’s important to know that confusion at this stage is totally normal! Give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far. I am here to help. So offer yourself a dose of friendly compassion, pour a cup of tea or coffee, and let’s dig in.

Question #1: How do I know if I need counseling?

Let’s face it – being a member of “Club Human” can be really hard sometimes. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns that can evoke a variety of challenging emotions. It is NOT abnormal to struggle from time to time. So how do you know when you need a bit more support, perhaps even the support of an expert or professional like me? Honestly, I genuinely believe that everyone can benefit from therapy or counseling. In particular, though, when you are experiencing chronically elevated levels of anxiety or distress, and it’s starting to get in the way of your life and interfere with your functioning, it may be time to reach out to a therapist.

Question #2: What should I ask a therapist before meeting with them?

Finding a therapist who’s a great fit for you is so important! I cannot emphasize this enough. Numerous studies indicate that the quality of the “therapeutic alliance” – the collaborative, trusting relationship or bond between a client and therapist – is an essential ingredient in the success of the treatment. This is the case regardless of the type of client, the type of therapy being practiced, or the client’s specific problems or issues. I wrote about this in a previous blog and identified some things you may want to consider asking a therapist before agreeing to meet with them (or, at the very least, in your first session). Take a look at those, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself in this process. Remember, you are the customer! This is your choice, and it should be one you feel comfortable with.

Question #3: What is the difference between a counselor, therapist, coach, and psychologist in Charleston SC?

The diversity of terms used to refer to various mental health providers can be bewildering. What do they mean, and how do you know which one is right for you? While there is a lot of overlap in the services they offer, counselors, coaches, and psychologists differ in their education, licensure, and scope of practice.

Counselors typically have a Master’s degree and may be licensed as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Counseling tends to be shorter-term, goal-oriented, and focused on helping clients find solutions to problems and challenges encountered by many of us in the course of daily life (e.g., grief, loss, marital difficulties or other relationship issues).

Psychologists hold doctoral degrees (either a PhD or a PsyD) and have more extensive training in human behavior and the science, theory, and practice of psychology and psychotherapy. They are also experts at assessment and case conceptualization. Psychologists are capable of treating a broader range of problems, including the most clinically severe presentations (e.g., anxiety disorders and major depression). Psychotherapy (or therapy, for short) tends to be longer-term and more exploratory or holistic than counseling.

Note that counselors and psychologists are often referred to interchangeably as “therapists”. Coaching, on the other hand, is a distinct entity from therapy. Coaching, as a field, is unregulated and does not require specialized training or licensure. Coaches typically do not treat mental health conditions. Rather, they tend to work with higher functioning individuals who are at a stable baseline and are interested in continued growth or the accomplishment of specific goals (e.g., executive coaching, career coaching, performance coaching, leadership coaching). It is important to note that therapy is often covered (at least partially) by insurance, while coaching is not.

As a psychologist, I not only have expertise in the treatment of more severe problems (such as generalized anxiety or panic), I am able to do counseling and coaching as well. So, for example, I can teach you how to un-hook from chronic feelings of dread and soothe your nervous system when it seems like it’s being battered by worries. And I can also help you develop and reach specific wellness goals (e.g., eating more mindfully or fostering good sleep hygiene), navigate tricky conversations in your most important relationships, or learn different meditation styles for peak performance. I am also able to provide you with a “superbill” that you can use to obtain reimbursement from your insurance company, based on your out-of-network benefits.

Question #4: How long will therapy last?

There is a lot of variability in the length of time clients spend in therapy. Some of it depends on how severe the presenting issues or problems are, the duration of those issues, whether the client has been in therapy before and benefited from it, and what they are hoping to get out of therapy. In my work with high-achieving women who struggle with anxiety, I have found that most clients who are committed to weekly attendance and are willing to make a sincere effort to practice the new skills they’re learning outside of therapy can make significant and meaningful progress within four to nine months. Some clients with milder presentations who are extremely motivated may need less time than that. Others may need or want more. I get special enjoyment from collaborating with clients who are interested in pursuing long-term growth and optimal wellness. As I tell my clients, as long as they are willing to show up and do the work and are finding value in the time we spend together, I will keep showing up enthusiastically for them!

Question #5: How often will we meet?

I feel it is very important to meet with clients weekly, at least during the beginning portion of our journey together. Most people don’t reach out to me, or someone like me, when they just start having difficulty. Often, things have gotten quite a bit worse, and they are suffering, before they pick up that phone and call for an initial consultation. Out of compassion and a great deal of personal experience, I want to dive in immediately and start helping. I have found it too hard to make progress meeting only every other week (or less), and this ends up being an unnecessarily frustrating experience for both me and the client. Consider how many hours per week you are struggling. Devoting a mere one hour per week to the alleviation of that struggle does not seem like too much to ask. After all, you are worth it, and what could be more important than your health and long-term wellness?

Question #6: Do you have experience working with the issues I am looking for help with?

I have doctoral-level training and am an expert in helping high-achieving women with anxiety discover their brilliance, connect with their purpose, and prioritize their wellness – mind, body, and soul. I’ve been working with clients in therapy for over 20 years. I have also been in your shoes! Perfectionism, people-pleasing, fears of not being “good enough”, and persistent worry used to be a part of my daily existence. Partnering with a trusted therapist to learn psychological flexibility skills and tools to nurture my wellness changed by life, and I know it can change yours too!

Contact your psychologist in Charleston SC today for a FREE therapy consultation!

I hope this helped make the process of finding a psychologist in Charleston SC less confusing. If you’re still feeling lost, CONTACT ME HERE for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to listen and promise to do my very best to answer any additional questions you may have. If you’re looking for therapy for anxiety and stress management, read more about how I can help here! As an online PSYPACT psychologist, I’m able to work with anyone in most U.S. states via telehealth.