Are you ready to accept that Luka is gone? Maybe it’s time to talk to someone besides your pickleball team about it.

If you’ve been following a bunch of therapists in Dallas on social media, it might be time to take the plunge and get professional support. But hold on a second! Before you start calling, it’s important to understand what kind of help you need and what to expect from a mental health or wellness professional. There can be a lot of confusion about the differences between therapy, counseling, and coaching. Don’t worry, your Mental Health BFF is here to clarify the differences.

Even though I am your Mental Health BFF, that doesn’t mean I assume you know everything about mental health. That’s why we choose friends with different strengths from us, right? So let me break all these terms down.

Therapy is a general term for medical treatment that addresses an injury, impairment, disease, or disorder. It helps someone feel better, heal, or grow stronger, especially after an injury or condition. Think about all the different therapies you know about—like physical therapy.

Mental health has co-opted “therapy” as a term, in my opinion, to legitimize the need and effectiveness of mental health treatment.

Psychotherapy is medical treatment of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and tends to be considered long-term or diagnosis-specific. It is likely to address traumatic experiences, serious behavioral and emotional distress, and warrants a medical diagnosis or “F” codes, as we call them for short.

Counseling is professional assistance in resolving personal difficulties. As a professional counselor, we are bound to ethics and expected to have a base set of knowledge called competencies. Counseling can be short or long-term depending on the issue and the relationship between the client and counselor.

So, counseling and therapy are very similar. The main difference is the potential severity of the issue, the training or approach of the professional, and the client’s commitment to the issues.

For example, I practice both counseling and psychotherapy. I chose to put “counseling” in my business name because it aligns with my counseling license and general approach. I practice psychotherapy by default because it is the basis for evidence-based practice, and counseling is the art of weaving those theories and techniques together. I will call a session “psychotherapy” when it is shorter because it has to be more structured than a counseling session.

What about coaching? Is a coach what I need over a therapist in Dallas?

Coaching vs. therapy is a common question. Coaching lacks the privilege and oversight that therapy has. Therapists can provide coaching, but coaches can’t provide therapy. Coaching is highly structured, goal-oriented, and related to a specific area of development. Coaching isn’t regulated in the same way a counselor or therapist is because coaches aren’t considered medical professionals.

Coaches are awesome, though, especially if you have the skills and mindset you may have already learned in therapy or from your upbringing to support you. You can have a coach for nearly anything. For example, I offer Anxiety Therapy for Graduate Students preparing for major exams. In those sessions, we focus on very specific strategies and behaviors. Whereas therapy for test anxiety would be in-depth and connect the anxiety to other parts of the client’s life and sense of self. Some coaches do walk the line of seeming therapeutic, and they can be certified by coaching organizations. Therapists and counselors learn all the same techniques and strategies that coaches do.

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

Mental Health Professionals: Understanding Your Options

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
What They Do: LPCs provide mental health support to individuals, groups, and families, focusing on client-driven solutions and adaptations. The titles differ by state.
Areas of Expertise: Anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, addiction, and personal development.
What to Expect in Therapy: LPCs typically use talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and goal setting in a supportive environment to encourage personal insight and coping strategies. Sessions may last 45-60 minutes and can take place weekly or biweekly.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
What They Do: LCSWs offer therapy and support while also connecting clients with resources and services in the community.
Areas of Expertise: Mental health disorders, behavioral issues, substance abuse, and navigating social systems (like healthcare and housing).
What to Expect in Therapy: Therapy may involve exploring personal history, current challenges, and systemic issues. LCSWs often use a strengths-based approach to empower clients, typically engaging in weekly sessions.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
What They Do: LMFTs specialize in relationship dynamics and family systems and provide therapy for couples and families.
Areas of Expertise: Couple’s issues, family conflicts, communication problems, and parenting challenges.
What to Expect in Therapy: LMFT sessions may involve multiple family members or couples, focusing on interpersonal relationships and communication strategies. Therapy often includes discussion of patterns and behaviors, aiming for resolution or improved understanding.

Psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.)
What They Do: Psychologists assess and treat mental health disorders and conduct psychological testing and research.
Areas of Expertise: Varied specialties ranging from anxiety, depression, and PTSD to child psychology or neuropsychology.
What to Expect in Therapy: Psychologists use a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy. Sessions usually focus on understanding and processing thoughts and feelings with the goal of behavioral change.

Other Mental Health Professionals
Psychiatrists: Medical doctors specializing in mental health who can prescribe medications and offer therapy. They generally focus on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners: Advanced practice nurses providing assessments, diagnoses, and medication management alongside therapeutic services.
Psychotherapists: A broad term that includes any licensed professional providing therapy, which could encompass any of the above disciplines.
Support Groups: Non-professional peer-led groups that can provide community and shared experiences for various issues, such as addiction or grief.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mental Health Professional

• Your Specific Needs and Concerns: Anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, etc.
• Your Preferred Therapeutic Approach: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, etc.
• Insurance Coverage and Cost: In-network vs. out-of-network providers, sliding scale fees, etc.
• Accessibility and Availability: Location, telehealth options, wait times, etc.
• Personal Connection and Comfort Level: Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with and trust.

Questions to Ask Potential Mental Health Professionals

• About their experience, areas of expertise, therapeutic approach, and fees.
• About their availability, cancellation policy, and communication style.

Additional Resources for Finding a Mental Health Professional

• Online Directories and Databases: Inclusive Therapists, Therapy Den, Headway, Therapy for Black Girls, Black Female Therapists, etc.
• Referrals from Your Doctor or Insurance Company
• Support Groups and Community Organizations

Remember, finding the right mental health professional may take time and effort. Don’t hesitate to reach out to multiple providers and ask questions until you find someone who meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals.

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Anytime a client allows me to be part of their journey, I am honored to be chosen to help them.

You deserve support from someone who can deeply help you. Therapy isn’t just for chatting weekly—it’s about reaching your goals and getting real support. I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Dallas and that you start moving towards meaning and purpose that fills you with power, peace, and joy.

I am a therapist and an advocate for mental health. I know I can’t be everyone’s therapist, even if I am their Mental Health BFF. If you are interested in learning more about me and my Epiphany Lane Counseling Crew, follow me on the journey.