Choosing a therapist is an important step toward taking care of your emotional well-being. But with so many different titles, credentials, and approaches out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re looking for help with anxiety, feeling triggered by past trauma, have been feeling emotionally burnt out, or just wanting to better understand yourself, it’s worth knowing what to look for so you can feel safe and supported in the process.

One thing that I have been noticing lately, is that many people (friends, family members and even clients) are telling me that they thought they were seeing a licensed therapist, only to find out a few sessions in that they were not! In an age where anyone can have a trending social media account and present themselves as a licensed or trained professional (I have even seen this with the medical field as well), it is even more critical to educate ourselves about our options are for help. Through this informed decision making can we best choose a provider that matches what they are looking for.

If you are seeking a licensed/trained mental health therapist/counselor, consider the following key points of information:

1. Check Licensure and Credentials
A licensed therapist has completed graduate-level education in counseling, psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy. They’ve also done thousands of supervised hours in the field and passed national or state licensing exams.
Some common licenses include:
LCSW/LICSW/LCSWC – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCPC/LPCC – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LMHC- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LP – Licensed Psychologist

Licensure means your therapist has met professional training standards (such as a 60+ credit master program, post master/doc experience and supervision, licensure exam), follows a code of ethics, abides by laws meant to protect consumers, and keeps learning through ongoing education. They are legally and ethically bound to uphold the standards of care for their respective license. You can verify a therapist’s license by checking your state’s licensing board website. For example, in Massachusetts, you can check here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/check-a-health-profession-license

2. Therapist vs. Coach — What’s the Difference?
Both therapists and coaches can help people grow, but they have very different training, scope, and oversight. It is important to book with a provider who is best matched to support your needs and to be aware of which type of helping professional you are scheduling with.

If you’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, or other mental health concerns, a licensed therapist has the training and ethical framework to help you safely work through them. Therapists must adhere to the following:

Therapist:
-Must have completed a Master or Doctorate degree in a mental health field.
-Are Licensed and regulated by a state board.
-Are Trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.
-Can provide evidence-based treatments like CBT, DBT, EMDR, and more.

If you are looking for coach support, a life coach may be a good fit as coaches can offer valuable support for non-mental health related goals in life.

Coach:
-May have completed a training program or certification in the area of coaching. While no specific degree or license is required, many do choose to complete certification paths in the field of coaching which help them excel in their area of expertise. You could ask them about their specific training and experience.
-Focus on goals, motivation, and skill-building (but does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions).
-Are not regulated by a state licensing board at the moment but many do adhere to their own set of ethics and boundaries.

3. If They’re Not Yet Licensed, Look for Supervision Info
Some therapists are in the process of getting licensed — often called associates, interns, or pre-licensed clinicians. They’ve finished graduate school and are building the supervised hours they need for full licensure. Ethical guidelines require that they:

-Clearly state that they are pre-licensed.
-Share the name and license number of their clinical supervisor in their materials (like their website, therapist listing on directories, or intake paperwork).
-Work under the guidance of a fully licensed therapist who oversees their work and supports their growth as a clinician.
-If you choose to work with a pre-licensed therapist, it’s completely okay to ask how often they meet with their supervisor and how that process works.

4. Look for Specialization and Approach
This is especially true if you have tried therapy in the past and did not find it very helpful. Sometimes, a specialized approach can provide a deeper healing and address the root cause of your distress more effectively. Generalist therapy can be highly effective still, however some may benefit more from a specialized approach to their specific needs.

Many therapists focus on specific areas like anxiety disorders, trauma recovery, relationship challenges, depression, mood disorders or life transitions. You can also ask about the approaches they use — such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, or somatic-based methods — and how they personalize them for your needs.

5. Trust the Connection and your Gut
Credentials matter, but feeling safe and understood matters just as much. Pay attention to whether you feel heard, respected, and comfortable being yourself. A good therapist will be collaborative, clear about the process, ethical and committed to creating a space where you can be open without judgment.

Finding someone who is both qualified and a good fit for you can feel overwhelming at times, but you can use this set of criteria as a guide to get you started on the right foot. Look for solid credentials, clarity about their role (especially if they’re pre-licensed), and a style that feels right for you. The right therapeutic relationship can be a powerful step toward healing and personal growth. Remember, that it is ALWAYS okay to ask questions. You may specifically want to ask the following questions as a jumping off point:

-Are you a licensed therapist? What is your license type?
-Do you offer in person sessions or virtual sessions?
-How many years of experience do you have working with clients with my challenges?
-Do you specialize in any area of mental health or treatment modality?
-What are your fees for therapy or do you take my insurance (if you would like to use your insurance that is).

During these questions, you could gauge the quality of your connection with this therapist as well (at least a little). Many therapists offer free exploratory calls for this exact reason. I always offer free 15-minute exploratory calls with potential clients because I want them to feel empowered to ask any questions they may have about my training, experience or license. I have found that many people feel embarrassed to ask questions to their healthcare providers, and I am hoping to start shifting that general belief so we can all feel empowered to ask our providers questions about their qualifications. Asking these questions are the best way to get the specific care that you need.

Exploratory calls also help potential clients with best fit. For example, if clients are seeking support for something I do not specialize in, I want them to get the best support possible and I will discuss referrals elsewhere that I think will be a better match for their needs. Likewise, because I specialize in Anxiety and Trauma in women and teen girls, I receive a lot of referrals from other providers who do not specialize in these areas. In this way, more and more clients can get the specialized care they deserve.

Once you decide on a therapist to support your needs and goals, keep in mind that it is ALWAYS okay to decide that they are not a good fit for you at any point in therapy. You can tell the therapist this if you wish, or you can simply tell them you will not be scheduling any further appointments. You could ask them for referrals for what you are looking for in a therapist, or you could take on the research yourself. There is no right or wrong, because your therapy should be about YOU and only you. Therapists are trained not to take these sorts of things personally as they hold the best interest of the client in mind and recognize it is not always a match made in heaven!

If you notice you have been struggling with anxiety or trauma symptoms and are considering therapy, feel free to reach out to schedule your free 15-minute exploratory call here . I look forward to connecting with you!