FAQs about Counseling, Coaching, and Psychotherapy in San Ramon, CA

You have a couple names of some therapists in San Ramon and you are ready to move forward. That’s great, you have taken the first step! But now what? Do you really need a therapist, or do you need a counselor, or are you wondering if you would get better help with a life coach? With so much information out there, this can be very confusing.

I’m here to help you answer some common questions:

What is therapy? 

Therapy involves meeting with a mental health professional for about 50 minutes each week, or every other week. In a therapy session, you will talk about your emotional, mental, and behavioral issues. The therapist will listen without judgement and help you discover alternative solutions to issues. Sometimes a therapist will provide information and interventions that can be used in the session or outside of the therapy session. Typically, there is a treatment plan which will help guide your therapy journey. Most importantly, these sessions are completely confidential.

What is counseling? 

In counseling, you meet with a mental health clinician to receive support and help for an emotional, mental or behavioral problem. The counselor provides non-judgmental and confidential support and information. There is a treatment plan and each session is completely confidential.

Wait… are counseling and therapy the same thing? 

Essentially yes. The biggest similarity is what brings people to them. The goal is to feel better, grow, and work on your mental health with an unbiased professional. Some counselors offer more solution-focused interventions in session, however you can use “therapy” and “counseling” interchangeably.

What about life coaching? Is a coach what I need over a therapist in San Ramon,CA?

Coaching is unique. Life coaches offer very specific advice which you will not receive in therapy or counseling. Life coaches are not required to have any type of education or training. They are not governed by a licensing board like therapists and counselors.

Wait, what about a LPC, LPCC, LCSW, LMFT, and Psychologist? Who is the best? 

Let’s first define each the acronyms: LPC is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. LPCC is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

 Each mental health clinician must complete a graduate degree and then obtain a license to treat clients. LPCs, LPCCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and Psychologists all provide counseling and therapy, and there no difference between them. The biggest difference you will find among therapists is their individual personality.

Counseling, therapy, and psychotherapy are all similar, which is meeting with a mental health professional who has the skills and training to help you with a particular mental health issue. You have made the challenging decision to seek therapy and now you deserve to find your best match for a therapist in San Ramon, CA. If you want to learn more about me, you can contact me here to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.