Is a counselor different then a therapist? What is a psychotherapist? What is psychoanalysis? Therapist, therapy, psychology, psychologist, psychiatry, psychiatrist, social worker, clinical social worker….the list continues and can become confusing. You might even come across life coach or advisor and find additional confusion. You can find PhD, PsyD, LCSW, LSW, CMFT, LPC, CSAC, CAC and the list continues.

The terms therapy and counseling at times can be inter-changeable. The formal difference between the varying credentials for therapists and counselors lie within the training and degrees received. Let’s review a few of the many credentials you may come across when seeking the help of a therapist or counselor:

An LPC, Licenesed Professional Counselor receives a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. The Master of Science Program in Counseling Psychology is designed to help students become professional counselors whose areas of expertise lie in community, private, and/or school settings.

Once a counselor is finished with schooling, which generally includes an internship, a graduate will take an exam and can become licensed as a LAC – Licensed Associate Counselor. Following additional training and supervised hours worked as a counselor (different states have different requirements), an LAC can become an LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor. At this point, a counselor can work in private practice.

A therapist/counselor might instead have credentials as a doctor of psychology (PsyD) or as a doctor of philosophy (PhD). The difference in the two tracks for a therapist of counselor is academic concentration. A therapist with a PsyD focuses academic work on the application of therapy. A psychologist in a PhD program focuses on the application of research as it pertains to psychology.

A psychiatrist is able to prescribe medication. You will not find a therapist or counselor with an LPC, PsyD, PhD or LCSW that can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists will provide therapeutic intervention (talk therapy/psychotherapy) and some will only assess for medication need and prescribe when necessary. This is why it may be important to utilize the services of both a psychiatrist and a therapist/counselor.

A therapist or counselor whom is a social worker receives a graduate degree in social work and has chosen a track to follow – different tracks include clinical social work, community and agency social work, school social work, etc. Some schools offer a combination of the above. Following graduate school, (which often includes two years of interning) a social worker sits for the LSW exam. If this exam is completed successfully, a social worker (MSW) receives the credentials of LSW – licensed social worker. This therapist can then perform therapy under the supervision of an LCSW within an agency or medical setting. If an LSW wishes to provide therapy in private practice (in the state of NJ – all states are different) he/she must complete 1,920 face-face therapy hours that is supervised by an LCSW (with clients) and then can sit for the LCSW exam. If these requirements are completed successfully, taking 2-3 years to finish, a social worker becomes able to practice talk/psychotherapy in a private practice setting. A social worker may sometimes refer to therapy as counseling as mentioned above.

The track for an addictions counselor may be either a CSAC - Certified Substance Abuse Counselor or a CAC - Certified Addictions Counselor, among others. States differ on requirements and practice experience for different certifications and licensing.

Generally, a therapist or counselor will work as a psychotherapist with clients. Examples of different types of psychotherapy include behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, biofeedback, interactive group therapy (e.g., family therapy), relaxation training, psychodynamic therapy, etc. There are many types of intervention strategies for different mental health issues that counselors and therapists might employ. Licensed therapists and counselors are required to maintain and develop their level of knowledge with continuing education credits. Counselors and therapists have different requirements depending on their type of license. It is throughout multiple avenues of additional training that therapists and counselors receive their expertise in the use of different therapeutic interventions. Further, additional training in psychoanalysis is required to become a certified in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and this can be as lengthy as 4 years of intensive training.

Also included in the field are pastoral counselors, school social workers, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, art therapists, play therapists and more. What is most important when seeking help is to ask your therapist or counselor questions about schooling, certifications, licensure, practice theories and frameworks, specialties and additional trainings. Ask how a particular therapist/counselor has been trained to meet the needs that you are presenting with. The credentials and certifications are only confusing when we forget to ask questions. Be specific with your questions so that you can be sure.

The emotional roller coaster of divorce

Divorce will inevitably induce feelings in both spouses that are disheartening and uncomfortable. The reasons behind this, some of which may be obvious, are listed and explained below.
Anxiety
Sadness
Disappointment
Interest/Curiosity
Suspicion

Often, the above emotions can lead into feelings of:
Panic
Depression
Betrayal
Self Greed
Paranoia

Experiencing separation, from the time we are very young, induces feelings of anxiety. When we are unprepared for these separations or they are perceived as traumatic, naturally occurring feelings of anxiety can turn into feelings of panic. Thoughts of how you might deal with the separation and if you can manage the pain may further invoke feelings of panic. Additionally, separation may invoke feelings of sadness. Separation that feels as if it is a significant and unbearable loss can feed into a state of depression.

Unfulfilled expectations of a marriage can be experienced as disappointment, or when perceived as more unbearable, be experienced as feelings of betrayal.

Divorce can also bring feelings of rivalry between spouses. Curiosity regarding the process of divorce and protection of self-interests can feed into feelings of self-greed and attempts at punishing one's spouse. These efforts inevitably harbor a sense of suspicion regarding the intents of the other and, if not dealt with, can become feelings of paranoia.

How can mediation help couples navigate through this emotional roller-coaster successfully? How can mediation help position divorcing couples for success as parents and direct them toward a renewed sense of wholeness?

For starters, it sets the stage for problem solving and communication. Adversarial approaches (litigation) to marriage dissolution, by nature, can encourage feelings of self greed, paranoia, depression, anger and panic. Mediation, on the other hand, promotes working together to come to a common goal. It helps build trust as disclosures and intentions are discussed and negotiated face to face. It can help to instill a much needed sense of faith in the possibility of win-win decisions regarding tough to negotiate issues. Mediation satisfies both parties’ needs and, as a result, protects the needs of children.

Mediation is a healing process, done with an open heart and a unique faith in the couple’s ability to resolve emotional pain and move forward with new strength and a new understanding of each other. Mediation encourages healing the feelings of anxiety, sadness, disappointment, curiosity and suspicion before these emotional experiences lead into the more difficult and painful feelings of panic, depression, betrayal, self-greed and paranoia.

In mediation, conflict between a divorcing couple is viewed as an opportunity for the growth of new patterns in communication, a building of one's faith in their ability to manage difficult times and cope and a renewed focus on the possibilities of the future.

Welcome to Therapy-Core! My name is Kathleen Andrews, LCSW and I am excited to be expanding and offering help to clients in three different North Jersey towns. The website is new and in it's early growing phases. (http://www.therapy-core.com) I would love feedback from those of you that took the time to visit. Other then that, check back and check in often. Send me an email if you have an idea for a blog. I am open to suggestions and hope to answer as many questions as I can about counseling, different types of psychotherapy, issues that might be problematic in your life and stories about how you might have been able to effectively handle difficult times. Maybe for starters, we can take a look at parenting in todays highly tehnologically charged times. What is it really like for a child to grow up in an age of instant communication gratification? It is a double-sided issue as kids are becoming less able to socialize face-to-face while simulatneously becoming high-tech savy and richly creative with keypad lingo - such as in texting, IMing, instant messaging, blogging, etc. What's the risk? Let's talk about it - what do you think the risks might be? What has come up with your child? Any thoughts on law development when it comes to cyber bullying and cruelty?