FAQs about counseling, coaching, psychotherapy, and finding therapy in Oakland
Determining that you want to feel better, even if you are hesitant or uncertain, is a huge step - Congratulations! If you feel ready and open to tending to yourself - also Congratulations! You should feel really proud of yourself for starting to research your options for counseling, coaching and finding therapy in Oakland. How has it felt to start this process? Weeding through hundreds of professionals to find a therapist in Oakland is no small task. If you are feeling even more overwhelmed or confused than when you first started, I completely understand. You are about to make a big investment of time, money, and most importantly trust in someone (and an experience) you may not know much about yet. If you’ve found therapy, counseling and coaching options that you are curious about, but even some confusion about which direction to take. Maybe you’re someone who is very trusting and generally feels that things will work out. Or maybe your default mode is not trusting what you don’t know. If you have a history of feeling disappointed in others or that the people around you are unreliable or a source of your pain, it may be much harder to open yourself up to therapy, counseling or coaching with someone you don’t know.
Coaching, counseling and psychotherapy are an art and science for facilitating change in people’s lives. Ideally, through a trusting relationship with the professional you are working with, a safe space is created for you to explore your thoughts, feelings and actions toward the aim of personal growth. The various professions and differing approaches to supporting wellbeing can be confusing even to those of us who are in the mental health field. Here are some FAQs that can help explain where there is overlap and the key differences in counseling, coaching and psychotherapy to guide you in finding the right type of support for at this time.
What is therapy in Oakland?
Psychotherapists are trained to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health disorders (listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-V) and help clients attain their desired mental health goals. (I am uncomfortable with much of the pathologizing and oppressive language our profession uses, but will stick to “client”, “patient” and “disorders” to keep it simple for the time being.) Similar to coaching, the goals of psychotherapy can include behavioral change and improved ability to make decisions and utilize resources. Psychotherapy goals also focus on reducing mental health symptoms, somatic symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, addressing the mental health impacts of learning disorders or challenges related to neurodivergence, and improving key relationships within family systems.
While all of these professionals are expected to conduct themselves according to the standards, regulations and ethics of their professions, psychotherapists have the most stringent ethical standards and codes of conduct. Psychotherapists can take various pathways to becoming mental health clinicians and may have training in psychology, psychiatry, marriage and family therapy or social work.
Some therapists also offer coaching in addition or instead of psychotherapy. Because Coaching is not the same as therapy and a therapist may not call themselves a coach without specific coaching training. Some therapists in Oakland may also offer coaching services after completing additional training in coaching.
What is counseling in Oakland?
Like therapists, professional counselors are licensed mental health providers who are trained to support a person’s wellbeing by treating their mental, behavioral or emotional problems. Therapists and counselors both diagnose mental health concerns, treat similar issues and work with the same populations of people. Counselors use evidence-based techniques to treat people in a practical, structured, problem-solving way, often empowering them with tools to use toward reaching desired outcomes. They also work across various settings from schools to community and health centers to private practice.
Wait… are counseling and therapy in Oakland the same thing?
Counseling and therapy in Oakland are not the same thing. Counseling is often-shorter term guidance and support while therapy can last months or years. Counselors often specialize in specific issues like substance abuse or marriage and family issues and take a structured approach to achieving desired outcomes. Counselors can also work with you to support general wellbeing or with navigating life transitions. Counseling takes a less exploratory approach than therapy, as a therapist might work to help a client develop a deeper understanding of one’s issues or what the root causes of one’s problem(s) might be.
Counseling and therapy are often used interchangeably among people who use these services, but there are distinctions when it comes to education and training, approach and scope of practice.
What about coaching? Is a coach what I need over a therapist in Oakland?
Like therapy and counseling, coaches work with clients to identify goals that enhance wellbeing. Many clients who seek out coaching may not be in need of or want mental health support. Coaching is a shorter-term approach to behavioral change that is more present and future oriented than therapy and great for people who want support with developing and attaining life or professional goals. Coaches support clients in developing an action plan, setting achievable goals, by providing motivation and accountability. They can also teach strategies and skills to reach one’s goals.
Coaching is a more emergent field than counseling or psychotherapy. Coaches can come from diverse professional backgrounds and may not necessarily have formal training in psychology or a related field. Due to lack of oversight, it is important you ensure that any coach you wish to work with is credentialed.
While coaching draws from evidence-based neuroscience and some of the same theoretical frameworks and models used in the field of psychology, coaches are not trained to address psychological suffering. Sometimes people feel more comfortable seeking support from a coach than from a counselor or therapist, but coaching is not a mental health service and is distinct from psychotherapy and counseling. If clients discover they do have some emotional issues that would be better addressed by seeing a mental health professional, coaches should refer their clients to a therapist. People can see therapists and coaches at the same time when one compliments the other.
Psychotherapists can become certified coaches, but coaches who don’t have a background in mental health are not qualified to provide psychotherapy. Both psychotherapy and coaching can be costly. Life coaching is rarely covered by health insurance, so coaching can be inaccessible to many who lack financial privilege.
Wait, what about LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologists, LMHC, etc. in Oakland? What do I need?
There are several different license types for mental health professionals in Oakland. LPCs focus on mental health and wellness and do individual and group therapy to support mental health. Licensed Clinical Social Workers also provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, groups, and family systems, and are also trained in connecting folx to resources and advocacy. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) work with resolve relationship conflicts and improve communication and family dynamics with couples and families. Psychologists hold doctoral degrees and can diagnose, assess, and treat psychological and learning disorders and neurodivergent concerns using various therapy techniques and testing tools. LMHCs, like LMFTs, provide therapy for emotional issues and mental wellbeing. There is overlap across all of these license types - they can all provide general psychotherapy, but approaches and limitations may differ across different licenses.
Finding therapy in Oakland can be overwhelming because of the diversity and quantity of qualified professional therapists, counselors and coaches in the East Bay. Recognizing what you are needing and understanding the differences between various licensed mental health professionals will help you identify next steps in reaching taking care of your mental health and personal growth.
My name is Lara, and I am a therapist in Oakland, CA. I provide online therapy in California and my specialties include anxiety, depression, and identity work.
Prioritizing your mental health takes courage, resources and sometimes professional help. Schedule a free consultation here to find the right fit for a therapist, coach or counselor in Oakland.