Philosophy
Selling therapy services is a lot like selling insurance.
When it comes to insurance, you might not think you need it… and even if you decide you do, you may be tempted to look for the cheapest policy.
I understand this mindset.
When I decided to begin my own personal therapy journey years ago, credentials didn’t mean anything to me, but price did. You may feel the same way.
As I evolved and had counseling with therapists that weren’t a great fit for me, a therapist’s credentials and training became more important than their fee. Specialties and experience mattered.
Welcome to the Alphabet Soup of Therapy
MA, MS, MFT, LMFT, LPC, LPC-MHSP, PhD.
“Okay, so you have a credential, but what does that mean and are you expensive” you ask.
Getting a master’s degree and becoming fully licensed with advanced training credentials and certifications is costly both in time and money. It has taken me six years to get fully licensed and acquire certifications in my specialty areas along the way. I have a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) and advanced certifications.
Mental Health is Equally Important as Physical Health
Consider this: If you physically needed open heart or brain surgery, would you seek out a surgeon that was inexpensive? Or would you seek out a qualified surgeon that was experienced and well trained no matter what the cost?
In my philosophy toward counseling I apply the same approach and invite you to do the same.
If your heart is broken and you’re struggling emotionally, seeking out a qualified therapist that is experienced and well-trained is going to be in your best interest.
Therapy Isn’t a Commodity
May I offer you a suggestion?
Please don’t look at therapy as a commodity and go for the cheapest when it comes to your mental health. Specialized training and experience aren’t commodities.
Take coffee as an example of a commodity.
It’s a cold, wintery day and you decide a cup of coffee would be ideal to warm you up.
Then you ask yourself, “Hmmm. Starbucks or the Quickie-Mart coffee?” Both are hot. Both will keep you warm. Both will do the job.
In one environment, you will be greeted warmly, hear smooth jazz playing in the background, smell the aromas of fresh ground coffee, and have a well-trained barista make your favorite coffee blend of flavors. Then you sit down, relax, and enjoy your well-crafted beverage and a good book.
In the other environment, the coffee isn’t fresh. It isn’t hot. People are standing in line buying lottery tickets, gasoline, beer, snacks and sodas. You feel stressed from the frenzy as you pour yourself some coffee with a couple of non-dairy creamers and a packet of sugar. Then you stand in line behind everyone else and wait your turn to pay the cashier.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have anything against Quickie-Mart coffee (and have had my fair share as I have had with Starbucks coffee).
With coffee, we can price shop.
With therapy, I invite you to reconsider this mindset.
Credentials and Experience Matter.
Just like physical maladies such as open heart or brain surgery require unique skillsets, so do emotional maladies like trauma, anxiety, depression, etc. Every therapist has their niche. After all, you wouldn’t seek out a heart surgeon for a knee replacement would you?
I specialize in grief and loss and trauma with a unique client focus in cancer. I’m a National Certified Counselor, which holds the highest standards and similar to being Board Certified as one would expect a physician to hold.
I’m also a Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, and am EMDR Certified.
I also have advanced training in Critical Incident Stress Management working with First Responders and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples.
Your Mental Health is Precious.
Every day, we come in contact with news that invites us into feelings of despair, helplessness, and loss. We can become disillusioned, confused, and even heartbroken at times and it takes strength to acknowledge this.
Strength can show up in so many different ways, but it starts with being honest about being human.
I have the advanced training and skills to help you navigate the emotional terrain.
Let me help you become a healthier, happier YOU.
For a free consultation, call me today: (615) 852-5055