Who is Therapy for?
Therapy is for everyone! Therapy can help with examining behavior patterns, addressing substance use, healing trauma or really any other challenges you might need help working through. Therapy is also great if you just want to get to know yourself or your partner(s) better!
What kind of therapist do I need?
When looking for the right therapist for you, pay attention to their areas of interest and expertise. Your therapists can help you determine if you might need these specialized services.
What do the letters after a therapist's name mean?
The letters after everyone’s names mean specific licenses and specialties that the clinician has met all criteria for and legally must use by the state of Texas. The primary providers of psychotherapy in Texas are social workers (LCSW, LMSW) and therapists/counselors (MFT, LPC).
If you see additional letters after these labels, it just gives you more information about their level of licensure. Associates (A) are new to the field and are under the supervision of a more experienced LPC-S (supervisor). Honestly, it’s a lot of information, and it just comes down to the process the therapist went through to become licensed and what specialties they’ve added to their license (and how much they might cost)!
Graduate interns are still in graduate school and have no license—yet. They are in the first years of practicing therapy under the supervision of their school and their site supervisor. Seeing a graduate intern is a great way to grow with a therapist and have a nice discounted rate. Usually interns cost anywhere from $30 to $60.
How do I make an appointment?
Once you have found a therapist, you can usually reach out to them via their website, by email, or by phone. Start by confirming that they are currently taking new clients, and then ask about rates. Let them know you are interested in scheduling an initial consultation. You don’t need to go into detail about why you are seeking therapy at this point; that conversation will happen during the consult.
If you find a practice you like, but you don’t have a specific therapist picked out, you can contact the practice to discuss your therapy goals. Someone within the practice should be able to work with you to find a clinician who can help with your needs. If a practice doesn’t have a therapist available who is a good fit, ask for a referral.
What is a consultation?
When you first schedule with a new therapist, they will usually arrange an initial 15-minute phone or video call, free of charge. In this initial consultation, you will be asked a series of questions about why you are seeking therapy. Your therapist will then use their professional judgment to see if they are a good match for you and make recommendations for future scheduling.
How can I meet with my therapist?
Some therapists will see you virtually, and some therapists will see you in person. Make sure to clarify your expectations with your therapists before meeting. If you are meeting online, find a safe, quiet, private space for your session.
How does therapy work for minors?
People under 18 in Texas must have parental consent to see a therapist. Minors are not guaranteed the same level of confidentiality as adults; however, most therapists want to make sure their clients feel safe and that they can trust the process, so therapists who work with minors should have up-front conversations with you and your parents about what stays in session and what gets shared.
What is confidentiality?
In Texas, people aged 18 and up are guaranteed confidentiality in their sessions with therapists, with a few notable exceptions: when a client is considered an imminent danger to themselves or others, when child or elder abuse is suspected, under a client’s direction to share, or in the case of a qualifying court order.
What if I don't connect with my therapist?
It’s OK! Not everyone connects, BUT one of the top predictors of a successful therapy outcome is your relationship with your therapist. If after a few sessions, you are not building the connection you need with your therapist, ask for a direct referral to another clinician. This is a normal part of therapy, and your therapist will understand if you need to make a change.
How often should I see a therapist?
Usually, when you start seeing a therapist you will see them weekly or bi-weekly depending on your availability and finances. The average session length is 50 minutes. This varies based on your needs and goals, so your therapist will work with you to establish a plan for how often and how long your sessions should be.
How much does therapy cost?
Therapy usually costs from $30 to $250 per 50-minute session. Pricing is usually higher for couples, families, or 80-minute sessions. Generally speaking, the more credentialed a therapist is, the more expensive they are. Some therapists also see clients on a sliding scale, which means they offer income-based rates.
What if I have insurance?
If you have insurance, you can use your insurance company website to look up a list of therapists who are within your insurance network.
If you want to use a therapist outside of your insurance network, the therapist of your choice can send you a “superbill,” which means you will have to pay for care up front and then wait for your insurance company to approve the superbill and reimburse you for the cost. Make sure to check with your insurance company before seeing an out-of-network therapist, and it’s a good idea to discuss needing a superbill in your initial consult.