So, you are ready to find a therapist in Tacoma, WA. Or are you?! Do you need a coach, or counselor, or a therapist? Or what about psychotherapy, is that the same or different? Should I be looking for a counselor in Tacoma, or a psychologist or a psychiatrist? What is the difference between all these things and how do I know what is right for me?

Have no fear. I’m a therapist in Tacoma, WA and I’m here to help. Let’s break down the differences between coaching, counseling, therapy, and psychotherapy so you can hurry up and cut through all the confusion and find the right person to help you start feeling better fast.

What is therapy?

When we talk about therapy, we're referring to a range of professional practices designed to help individuals navigate life's challenges and improve their mental well-being. At its core, therapy involves a trained therapist in Tacoma, WA, working with you to explore and address personal issues that may be affecting your quality of life. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, or just need a bit of guidance, therapy offers a safe space to talk things through and find solutions that work for you.

Think of therapy as a supportive partnership. Your therapist in Tacoma, WA, is there to listen without judgment, help you understand your thoughts and feelings better, and guide you toward healthier coping strategies. It’s not just about talking things out, but about actively working together to improve your mental and emotional health. Whether you're interested in traditional talk therapy or specialized approaches like brainspotting, finding the right therapist in Tacoma, WA, can make a significant difference in your journey towards well-being.

What is counseling?

Generally, the terms counseling and therapy are interchangeable. There are no specific differences between the two, and terminology might vary depending on what part of the country you are in. Both therapists in Tacoma, WA and counselors in Tacoma, WA are licensed and trained professionals who generally have a Master’s level education in the field of psychology and counseling.

An exception to this is substance-use disorder professionals, which are counselors who have specific training related to substance-use disorders. They are specially trained in the area of addiction, and may have an associate’s degree and not necessarily a Master’s degree. They are still licensed and highly trained professionals who are held accountable by their state’s Department of Health for professionalism and core competencies.

What about coaching? Should I find a coach or a therapist in Tacoma, WA?

When you’re trying to decide whether to work with a coach or a therapist, it helps to understand what each one brings to the table. Coaches are great for setting goals and boosting motivation—they help you tackle things like career moves or personal projects. They focus on practical steps and strategies, but they don’t have the same level of training or oversight as therapists. This means they’re not regulated the same way and don’t offer the same level of confidentiality. It’s all about getting things done and achieving your personal or professional goals.

On the flip side, a therapist in Tacoma, WA, brings a whole different set of skills to the table. Therapists are trained to deal with mental health issues and emotional challenges, and they work under strict ethical guidelines. For instance, if you’re interested in brainspotting in Tacoma, WA, which is a specialized technique for addressing deep emotional and trauma issues, a licensed therapist is the person to see. They have the expertise to diagnose and treat conditions that coaches aren’t trained to handle. A therapist is often able to play the role of coach, and can help you with goal-setting and tackling motivation issues. But a coach is not a therapist. They do not have the training, licensing, and professional code of ethics to provide therapy.

So, if you’re looking for guidance on personal goals, a coach might be your go-to. But if you’re dealing with more complex emotional or mental health issues, working with a therapist in Tacoma, WA, who offers techniques like brainspotting could make a significant difference. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right professional for your needs and ensure you get the support that’s best suited to your situation.

Wait, what about lmhc, LiCSW, LMFT, Psychologists, etc.? Which one do I need? 

It can feel like alphabet soup when you’re looking at profiles for therapists in Tacoma, WA and seeing all of the licenses after their names. What’s the difference? Should I care? Let’s cover what each one means.

• Coaches may have some training, but they are not licensed through an official regulatory board. They are not held to ethical standards, do not have to complete continuing education requirements, and are not accountable to the Board of Health when it comes to issues of professionalism, ethics, and liabilty.

• In contrast, all trained therapists or counselors, like the ones I list below, are specially trained when it comes to core competencies and ethical care. We are all licensed by the state and required to abide by state laws to ensure clients receive ethical and effective support. We are trained in research-backed methods to help clients improve their mental health without causing additional harm. We have to complete continuing education requirements each year to stay up-to-date in our field. And if clients feel mistreated, they can appeal to the licensing board to investigate any unprofessional behavior on the part of a therapist. None of this is true for coaches.

• LMHC stands for licensed mental health professional. This is most commonly a Master’s trained therapist (they could have a doctorate degree, but that is more rare), and probably one of the most common designations you will see when looking for therapists. They are able to provide therapy to individuals, couples, or families, depending on their interests and the populations they like to work with.

• LMHCA stands for licensed mental health professional associate. They are professionals who have Master’s degrees, but they have not fully completed their training to become fully certified as a therapist yet. They can provide therapy under the supervision of a trained therapist until they complete their requirements to be fully licensed.

• LICSW stands for licensed independent clinical social worker. They are also usually Master’s level trained therapists (they could have a doctoral degree, but that’s more rare). Their training is in social work, as opposed to counseling psychology. The fields are similar and either background is appropriate to provide therapy in Tacoma, WA.

• LICSWA stands for licensed independent clinical social worker associate. They are the same as above, but they are still in training to get their full clinical licenses. They can practice counseling under the supervision of a trained LICSW until they complete all their license requirements.

• LMFT stands for licensed marriage and family therapist. They are also usually a Master’s level trained therapist (though sometimes they could have a doctoral degree, though that’s more rare). Their training emphasizes more of the dynamics of family systems, as opposed to individual psychology, but they are trained to provide therapy for individuals, couples or families.

• LMFTA stands for licensed marriage and family therapist associate. And you guessed it… they are not yet fully licensed and practicing under the supervision of a trained therapist until they complete all their license requirements.

• Psychologists hold doctoral degrees. They may provide therapy, but more often they provide other clinical services such as psychological testing, research, or teaching at the university level.

• Psychiatrists have medical degrees and are trained in diagnosing and prescribing medicine to treat mental health disorders. They rarely provide counseling, but may work in partnership with a therapist in Tacoma, WA.

so which one is right for me?

Now that you know the background, as long as the professional you want to work with is board-certified as either an LMHC, LICSM, or LMFT, the designation is not important. Any of these professionals will have the competency to provide therapy in Tacoma, WA. The most important thing is that you find someone you feel a connection with and feel like you can trust. Studies repeatedly show that the number one factor in effective therapy is not the therapist’s approach or training, but the relationship between the client and the therapist.

Find the right therapist in Tacoma, WA for you

You deserve support from someone who can deeply help you. I recommend that you do some online research and create a short-list of therapists whose webpage speaks to you and the issues you want to address in counseling. Then give them a call and see if they offer a free 15-min phone consult. I recommend you set up a few of these to get a feel for several professionals, and choose the person you feel the most comfortable with. If you’d like more tips about what questions to ask in the 15-min consult, check out my blog on that topic here.

My specialties include brainspotting therapy (a fast and effective way to heal on the brain and body level), anxiety and burnout, and codependency and people-pleasing. My style is warm and non-judgmental and focused on setting goals so you feel like therapy is going somewhere.

If you’d like to see if we’re a good fit to help you with your counseling goals, reach out today to set up your free 15-min consultation to start feeling better soon.