FAQs About Finding a Therapist in West Seattle

Therapist West Seattle. Specializing in Life Transitions, Grief, Relationship Issues, and Brainspotting.

So you’ve been thinking about trying counseling or therapy and maybe you’ve even found a few therapists in West Seattle that you’ve thought about contacting. It seems like something that might be beneficial for you but you still have lots of questions – that’s completely normal! 

If this is your first time seeking out a therapist (or even if you’ve tried it before) it can be a confusing process. It’s easy to get lost in all of the different terms or types of counseling, therapy, coaching, etc. Below are answers to some FAQs that I hope can help demystify things a little bit. 

What is therapy?

Therapy is a broad term that refers to the treatment or intervention aimed at improving a person's mental, emotional, or psychological well-being. In most cases this involves meeting with a trained and licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist, counselor, or psychologist, to address and manage your emotional and psychological concerns. Therapy can take many forms and is used to help individuals gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as to develop coping strategies, overcome challenges, and explore and address the root causes of these issues to facilitate long-term healing and growth. The specific type of therapeutic approach or technique utilized can vary based on the individual's needs and the nature of the issues they are facing.

What is counseling?

Depending on who you ask, the answer to this question could be the same as the above. What counseling (or therapy) looks like depends on the individual counselor or therapist, and the unique needs of their client. Similar to therapy, counseling is a form of mental health support that helps individuals cope with and resolve emotional and psychological issues. In some cases, counseling may focus on addressing specific issues, such as relationship problems, stress management, grief and loss, career concerns, life transitions, or personal development. It aims to help individuals gain insight into their problems, develop coping strategies, and make positive changes in their lives. 

Wait…are counseling and therapy in West Seattle the same thing? 

In many cases, yes. As I alluded to above, it really depends on the style or approach of the individual providing the services. If you search online for the differences between these two terms you’ll likely find some generalizations about how they differ, but in my experience, most therapists, counselors, social workers, etc. offer services that could fit into either category and/or use these terms interchangeably. Depending on who you ask, counseling may be defined as shorter-term and more solution-focused, while therapy tends to be longer-term and more in-depth. 

What about coaching? Do I need a coach or a therapist in West Seattle?

Coaching and therapy are distinct but related forms of support for individuals seeking personal development. While both help people overcome challenges and achieve their goals, there are important differences. One key distinction is the lack of oversight in coaching compared to therapy. Therapists are licensed and regulated by professional bodies, ensuring their competence and adherence to ethical standards. In contrast, coaching lacks the same level of regulation, making it essential for individuals seeking coaching to thoroughly research and select a qualified coach. Another important distinction is coaching clients typically do not have the same rights to confidentiality as therapy clients. In therapy, mental health professionals are bound by strict ethical guidelines and legal regulations that protect the privacy of their clients' conversations. One other thing to note is that many therapists are qualified to incorporate coaching techniques into their practice to address specific issues, however, the reverse is not true — coaches are not qualified to provide therapy, as they do not have the same level of training and expertise in addressing mental health disorders or deep-seated emotional issues. Individuals must understand their specific needs and seek the appropriate professional support, whether that is coaching or therapy, depending on the nature of their challenges and goals.

And what about LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, Psychologists, etc.? What do I need? 

So many confusing acronyms! What do they all mean? I will start by saying that there is significant overlap among these different types of professionals. The acronyms designate what type of education and license the individual has. Except for psychologists, who need a doctorate, the other types of clinicians listed above require a minimum of a master’s degree. The educational backgrounds for each of these types of licenses have some differences, but they are all qualified to provide therapy or counseling. While I could go into the specific distinctions, I do not think it would be particularly helpful as far as guiding how to search for a therapist in West Seattle. What matters most is whether or not the therapist or counselor is someone who has experience helping people with your concern or issue, is inclusive and affirming of your identities, utilizes an approach that aligns with your goals, and most importantly, that you trust and feel connected to. 

Try a free consultation with a therapist in West Seattle

I hope this helps give you some clarity as you are searching for a therapist in West Seattle. If you’re still feeling confused, feel free to call me at (646) 543-7878, or contact me here, for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to talk with you about what is going on and who might be the right person to help. If I’m not the right person then I will do my best to point you in the right direction. If you are looking for help with life transitions, anxiety, grief, or relationship issues, or are interested in trying Brainspotting, you can read more about how I can help here.