All of the new threads have inspired me to ask a question of you all. In advance, this is a very American-centric question, because I am a stereotypical American who is ignorant of anything outside of my borders. My apologies for this.

What type of license does the therapist that you see have? Is there a particular reason that you chose this type of licensure over another? Is there a type of therapist that you wouldn't see? Anything else to add?

I see an LCSW. In my therapy history, I've seen three LCSWs and one LPC. The reason I chose an LCSW is because my market is saturated with them. There is a large graduate program for clinical social work in my area, so the majority of psychotherapists' in this area have this license. I'm not against other licenses, just that I've found that I align with the way that LCSWs conceptualize their work (especially with their bent about social justice).

[CharlieStarDust]

I see a PsyD. I saw a couple of MA level counselors. I realized at some point that I needed a higher level of care and sought a PhD T. Been with her for almost 7 years, and I made lots of progress.

[LonesomeTonight]

My T has a PhD. I didn't really choose him because of his degree, but more that his Psychology Today profile and website just sort of spoke to me. Ex-T is LCSW and marriage counselor is PhD. Yet they all had very different styles of conducting therapy.

I think someone on this board (different thread obviously) said they didn't want to see any more PhDs, because they're just interested in diagnoses, or something like that. Which hasn't been my experience at all with the two PhD T's I've seen--actually, MC was against putting specific labels on the mental illnesses/conditions I have. And current T talks about what's going on with me, but doesn't seem hung up on diagnoses. Like, he might say I probably do a certain thing because of OCD or anxiety, but mostly it seems he wants to understand why I act or feel a certain way, rather than putting labels on it, if that makes sense.

[88Butterfly88]

LCSW. PhD, PsyD, or MD would probably be better but I simply can't afford it.

[Echos Myron redux]

Unfortunately there is no licensing in the UK 😐

[88Butterfly88]

Originally Posted by Echos Myron (again)

Unfortunately there is no licensing in the UK 😐

That doesn't sound good. Is there any way to know you are getting a good t?

[nottrustin]

Both T's are LCSWs. I prefer LCSWs because of my coworlwrs. I find that I agree more with the methods of those with LCSWs rather than the others with different degrees. Both my Ts were strongly recommended by my other providers. If my prociders strongly suggested a T with a different degree I would definitely consider it.

My t is an MA level LPC.

[toomanycats]

I see an LPC. Two, actually - one for Group therapy

I saw a PsyD for 3 years, and he had horrible boundaries, and it wound up hurting me.

I'm finding it has little to do with the degree and everything to do with the individual

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by 88Butterfly88

That doesn't sound good. Is there any way to know you are getting a good t?

There are various regulating bodies that most Ts are registered with that follow ethical frameworks and that require a certain amount of training and clinical experience to become a member. There's not much understanding of that system amongst the general public (potential clients) though, and it's pretty terrifying that anyone can go out there and call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist.

My T, like most, is BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) registered. I would absolutely not see a T who isn't, but also I wouldn't say it's a guarantee of a good T. Unfortunately there are still plenty of s***ty ones, same as in the US!

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

He's a psychiatrist, i.e. he has the same credentials as a medical doctor. He used to be a surgeon, so he could do anything medicine related with that degree. Psychiatry needs a couple of years of extra training and gives you some kind of psychiatry thingy.

[SoConfused623]

Originally Posted by toomanycats

I see an LPC. Two, actually - one for Group therapy

I saw a PsyD for 3 years, and he had horrible boundaries, and it wound up hurting me.

I'm finding it has little to do with the degree and everything to do with the individual

I couldn't agree more! I really don't think that the degree has much to do with how they conduct therapy. Furthermore, I'm just as happy with a LMHC, LPC, or LICSW as long as they're a good therapist. My most recent T that I had a falling out with was a PHd and I don't think that it made her a better T at all.

[Wonderfalls]

My former pychiatrist also did therapy. I first tried an LPC and I liked him perfectly well but we had no direction.. The next was a licensed social worker and she was a mess. My current one is also a licensed social worker and I'm still meh on her. I would be curious to see a psychologist but the only ones my insurance covers work exclusively at a big prestigious university we have. I think they teach or do research.How did you guys find a psychologist?

[GeekyOne]

My current T has a PsyD. I have also seen a variety of LPCs and LCSWs. I don’t generally think the degree matters so much as the connection (assuming there is an appropriate degree, license and experience).

My current T came highly recommended by my pdoc who knows me well. I have wondered if the PhD increases the chance of compatibility due to specifics about my thought process, interests and educational background.

[88Butterfly88]

Originally Posted by lucozader

There are various regulating bodies that most Ts are registered with that follow ethical frameworks and that require a certain amount of training and clinical experience to become a member. There's not much understanding of that system amongst the general public (potential clients) though, and it's pretty terrifying that anyone can go out there and call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist.

My T, like most, is BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) registered. I would absolutely not see a T who isn't, but also I wouldn't say it's a guarantee of a good T. Unfortunately there are still plenty of s***ty ones, same as in the US!

Good to know.

[Jazz1971]

An LMHC/LMFT and LICSW both require a masters degree and both have more clinical experience than an LCSW. There is no difference in education level. The difference in programs is theory - social work programs focus on social systems and justice and counseling programs focus on psychological theory/ diagnosis. The masters required for an LMHC is essentially the first two years of the PysD, with the decision to go on for the doctorate often due to career path and a desire to teach at the collegiate level. Doctorate level clinicians are also the only ones who can do neuropsychological testing, but again that is a different career path. As far as therapy is concerned, however, it makes little to no difference. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about the degrees and licenses but the reality is, if they are licensed they will have a masters level education and a certain amount of clinical experience and supervision (usually a few years). Your mileage will vary in every circumstance depending on the individual, but this is largely due to the nature of the field and not the license.

[MRT6211]

LMHC. My first LMHC T and my best T that I’ve ever had. I’ve had a really great PsyD, too. And some bad PsyDs, one that was absolutely terrible, and then a remarkably awful PhD. I had a pretty good LCSW-R, too, that was my first T. So yeah...I personally think degree has little to nothing to do with the quality of therapy.

I don't know that I'm able to edit the original post, but I know that there's by and large no difference between any of the licenses. This was just a curiosity to see other people's experiences and any preferences.

[feralkittymom]

I think the training behind the degree is more important than the credential itself. But that said, I prefer the training behind the doctoral (PhD in Psychology or PsyD) credentials. Because I'm an academic my experience across fields is that MA curricula are just not very demanding (and there's no way to know if the degree holder was at the top--or bottom--of the class. There's no gatekeeping in the system.) Licensing is tied to particular performance standards, rather than to generic MA degrees. All the "lettered" MAs are licensed, which also means they have completed clinical work beyond the MA curricula and have met certain standards. In my area there are lots of generic MAs in Counseling who are not eligible for licensing. It further complicates things that "therapist" is not a protected title (I don't think "counselor" is, either.) So an MA in Counseling can "practice" as a "therapist," but needn't be answerable to any professional standard.

Only certain PhDs are licensed. So the PhD in itself is meaningless--it's the discipline it's in that matters. Because I live in a University town, there are a lot of PhDs around--but not all are eligible to be licensed as therapists. "Psychologist" is a protected title, so it tells you the person has met, and is subject to, professional standards.

So it really matters to investigate beyond the degree to the licensing requirements in your state.

[starfishing]

As a general rule, I don't think any particular degree or license is a guarantee of competence/incompetence. My current therapist is an MD and he's great, but I've seen terrible psychistrists in the past too. Two of the worst therapists I've ever seen were PsyDs with over 10 years of experience, as was one of the best. And I've known brilliant LCSWs, but have also encountered idiotic ones who shouldn't be doing therapy. There are a couple of masters programs in my area with bad reputations for shoddy training that I would hesitate to see someone from as a general rule, though.

[satsuma]

Originally Posted by Echos Myron (again)

Unfortunately there is no licensing in the UK 😐

Well ... I'm not sure about every kind of counsellor, but to be a clinical or counselling psychologist you need a PhD from one of the universities offering this. It takes 7 years to become a clinical or a counselling psychologist.

[annielovesbacon]

My T has a PhD. I didn't choose her for her degree -- in fact, I didn't know anything about her when I chose to start seeing her -- I decided to start seeing her because my current T at the time (who was moving away) recommended her because she thought we have similar personalities. (She was right. )

My T has a PhD. I didn't choose her because of that. Ex T who has a masters referred me to her as ex T isn't trained in trauma. They work in a hospital clinic with other clinical psychologists with either masters or PhD's.

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by satsuma

Well ... I'm not sure about every kind of counsellor, but to be a clinical or counselling psychologist you need a PhD from one of the universities offering this. It takes 7 years to become a clinical or a counselling psychologist.

The vast majority of therapists here aren't psychologists.

[Jazz1971]

Originally Posted by feralkittymom

I think the training behind the degree is more important than the credential itself. But that said, I prefer the training behind the doctoral (PhD in Psychology or PsyD) credentials. Because I'm an academic my experience across fields is that MA curricula are just not very demanding (and there's no way to know if the degree holder was at the top--or bottom--of the class. There's no gatekeeping in the system.) Licensing is tied to particular performance standards, rather than to generic MA degrees. All the "lettered" MAs are licensed, which also means they have completed clinical work beyond the MA curricula and have met certain standards. In my area there are lots of generic MAs in Counseling who are not eligible for licensing. It further complicates things that "therapist" is not a protected title (I don't think "counselor" is, either.) So an MA in Counseling can "practice" as a "therapist," but needn't be answerable to any professional standard.

Only certain PhDs are licensed. So the PhD in itself is meaningless--it's the discipline it's in that matters. Because I live in a University town, there are a lot of PhDs around--but not all are eligible to be licensed as therapists. "Psychologist" is a protected title, so it tells you the person has met, and is subject to, professional standards.

So it really matters to investigate beyond the degree to the licensing requirements in your state.

It really varies by state. Massachusetts and California have some of the tighter requirements and laws. Specifically, in Massachusetts, an unlicensed masters level counselor or social worker cannot legally refer to themselves as a "therapist". They can say they "practice psychotherapy" (which clinically, means nothing), but they cannot call themselves a "therapist". I would advise most people to see a provider with a license as that guarantees a certain amount of oversight. The best therapist I ever saw was a licensed social worker and the worst was a PhD, but I don't think their training had anything to do with it.