[The Poet]

PhD/PsyD
LCSW
LMFT
LPC
Other?

I am interested because my limited experiences thus far have been with one type of T and those experiences were horrible. I read here about what is happening in everyone's therapy and wonder how there T was trained.

Thank you!

[ECHOES]

I've had different varieties.

I currently have a MSW LMHC (licencse Mental Health Counselor) who has a certificate in psychoanalysis. I wanted an analyst and found T through the psychoanalytic institute in the large city near where I live.

I used to think that 'only' PhD clinical psychologist would do. Now I know that the letters don't matter so much as the fit, which for me includes the T's orientation.

[geez]

My T is a PhD. As for the letters after a T's name I think it doesn't much matter. You need someone qualified to handle what your needs are however there there are good and bad everywhere. You need to find the T that's a good fit and even the good ones aren't perfect. I'm interested to hear what others have to say.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by The Poet

I am interested because my limited experiences thus far have been with one type of T and those experiences were horrible.

What kind of Ts are those?

My T has a Master's in Psychology. I think he is really good--at least he has been for me. Part of that is him, and part is his training (and part of our success is our fit). His training is more specific to the program he graduated from rather than the degree he was granted. (I know 2 other Ts from his program and like them too.) Every program has a different flavor and emphasis. One university's clinical psychology PhD program, for example, could have a really different emphasis than another's. If you can find a training program that you philosophically align with, then you might be able to find a T with at least some of what you are looking for by choosing a grad from that program.

[granite1]

my T is a licsw

[Perna]

Mine was a PhD in psychology but in a social psychology discipline rather than clinical (PsyD).

[skeksi]

Mine is an LPC. He has a master's in psychology.

[with or without you]

Ph.D., clinical psychology

[eskielover]

I have had many over the past 16 years. I got bounced around quite a bit when I first started having problems. Most had been PhD's however. The last one I had in California I saw for almost 10 years before I left would just sit & listen & really not interact at all with me & found that for all those years, I really didn't get anything out of those years. When I came to KY the first one I saw was a LCSW.....he was ok, but for the money, I wasn't getting enough out of it. I tried another psychologist who worked out of his home.....the first visit was quite obvious....NO FIT. I had such a negative view from others experiences with any of the community care places in California that I had never even considered that for myself, but finances & need pushed me into at least checking it out here. I have the best PhD here. I have never related to any of my psychologists as well as I have with her. The other programs that they offer through the center goes beyond anything I ever experienced in California. They have even provided a home T to come out to my farm & talk over the every day issues so that I can focus on the more difficult issues with my Psychologist. I have never heard of anything like this before & have been so very pleasantly surprised that the wonderful quality of care over this last year.

It definitely depends on the person you are going to & how you relate to them along. Training is important, but being able to relate is the most important as people can have all the training possible & be horrible in relating with the people that come to them with help.

lcsw... it is the fit,,, seen psych and once even a PhD

[looking4polaris]

Mine's an MD which works out great for me 'cause I can get my meds and my therapy all from the same person. I don't have to update my T with my med changes and I don't have update my shrink with what's going on in T. I love having everything handled by the same person. Unfortunately, that luxury doesn't come cheap.

[cmac13]

LISW master's in Social Work with 37 years clinical experience

[seventyeight]

LCSW-C (with a Master's in Social Work)

[jexa]

My current T and my old T are both PhDs. They both, however, have very different training backgrounds. My current T came from a psychodynamic background and now uses DBT but with a psychodynamic "flair." I've only had three sessions with her but I have a feeling her approach will work for me. My old T came from a cognitive-behavioral background but had changed gears to acceptance- and mindfulness-based stuff, which we did a lot of, and which helped me a lot.

Whether your T is going to work well for you, depends on a lot of things, but mostly - what do you need? Some people need skills fast so they can cope with daily life. Some people need a deep connection so they can feel safe enough to disclose some awful secrets that have plagued them. Some people need someone who will just be a support while they are going through a rough patch. If you can try to identify what you need, then getting it in T will be much easier.

Easier said than done, I know.

In my unprofessional, patient opinion I have had all of them. Letters don't matter much. More schooling doesn't even matter much. Age doesn't matter, gender doesn't matter. Don't disqualify anyone. I did this once. And once only and he ended up being the best therapist I ever had. The only one who was able to reach me. I wanted a Phd, that was an older woman. I got her, she didn't work, then I got stuck with a young male with a LCSW and I spent months dreading every second I had to spend with him. Then we clicked and he fought for me till the bloody end. (aka recently).

[Symbiosis]

mine is PhD

my best friend is an LCSW and one of the most caring and emphathic listeners around

[jilliebeanmn]

Ph.D., clinical psychology

[granite1]

anyone know the differance between a licsw and a lcsw?

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by granite1

anyone know the differance between a licsw and a lcsw?

LICSW = Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
LCSW = Licensed Certified Social Worker

Also found:
LCSW-C = Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical

Functionally, I don't know what the difference means. Maybe the LCSW works at an agency, and the LICSW is in independent practice. Just a guess.

[WikidPissah]

I've had a phd, psyd, mhc and am currently with a licsw.

[bpd mess]

Mine is a PhD, LCSW, LPC and some other stuff I don't remember.

[SenatorPenguin8081]

Originally Posted by The Poet

PhD/PsyD
LCSW
LMFT
LPC
Other?

I am interested because my limited experiences thus far have been with one type of T and those experiences were horrible. I read here about what is happening in everyone's therapy and wonder how there T was trained.

Thank you!

My awesome T who really knows what he is doing is a PhD in clinical psychology. My new temporary crappy T is a LCSW with a masters degree, whatever those are called.

[splitimage]

My regular T is a PhD-Clinical psych & I love her.

But when I was IP this summer, I was assigned to work one-on-one with a MSW and she was wonderfull to.

It's really more about how you click and connect.

Saw a MSW one time through my EAP and that was an unmitigated disaster.

--splitimage