FAQs about counseling, coaching, psychotherapy, and therapy in Atlanta

Atlanta has so many therapists and mental health professionals - counselors, therapists, psychotherapists, and coaches. What’s the difference between each of these and how do I know which one I need? You might find yourself looking at one going maybe this is the right fit for me, but maybe I need this type of therapist instead.

FAQs about counseling and therapy in Atlanta

If you have never been to therapy before you might feel uncertain about how to go about choosing a therapist, what happens in therapy, or what to expect. If you have been to therapy for many years, you might still have questions about how to choose the right therapist. Here are a few questions that might help you as you start your search for the right therapist.

Question #1: How do I know if I need therapy?

I haven’t met anyone who does wrestle with something whether it’s stress with work or family, relationship challenges, or something more serious such as trauma, anxiety, or toxic relationship patterns. Some people are able to improve their self-care or get support from a friend or family member and are able to feel better. But if you are wrestling with something that is distressing or is interfering in an area of your life, it’s time to reach out.

Question #2: What should I ask a therapist before meeting with them?

Check out my previous blog on this topic here.

Question #3: How long will therapy last?

This is a difficult question to determine because it varies from one person to the next. How quickly you are able to resolve what brought you to therapy, can be affected by how often your sessions are, what brought you to therapy in the first place, and how long you have struggled with it. Research has determined that weekly sessions bring faster resolution. If what brought you to therapy just showed up a few weeks ago, you will typically need less time than something that has been a long-standing challenge for you.

Question #4: What is the difference between a counselor, therapist, social worker, and psychologist in Atlanta?

Often times the words therapist and counselor are used interchangeably and mean the same thing. A social worker has obtained degrees in social work while a psychologist holds degrees in psychology. Both are trained to implement therapeutic interventions and both might refer to themselves as a therapist or counselor. Although there are degrees in counseling, these professionals might still refer to themselves as therapists.

Question #5: How often will we meet?

If a potential new therapist is only available to meet with you once a month or biweekly, this will affect your progress. Weekly sessions will help you feel better faster by helping you maintain your change momentum from week to week. Monthly sessions or even biweekly sessions will take more sessions for you to reach your therapeutic goals and will cost more time and money in the end.

Question #6: Do you have experience working with the issues I am looking for help with?

It will be important for you to know if the person you choose to work with has experience working with what you are looking to resolve through therapy. Similar to choosing a doctor, you want to make sure the person you choose to work with has experience treating what you are looking to resolve.

I hope this helps you in your quest to find the right therapist in Atlanta. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (678) 744-5369 or click here to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. I help those who are struggling in Atlanta with the aftermath of trauma, toxic relationship patterns, depression, anxiety or are parenting a child diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).