The distinction between receiving Psychotherapy, Counseling, Coaching or Consultating can be confusing. As a licensed psychologist and board certified, registered art therapist I am legally, ethically, and professionally trained to offer these formats of service:
- Psychotherapy – treatment of a mental (or medical) disorder by psychological rather than medical means
- Counseling – the provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties, especially by a professional.
- Coaching – a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.
- Consultation – a meeting with an expert or professional, such as a medical doctor, in order to seek advice.
Dependent upon what you are interested in achieving, we will determine what intervention or approach best suits your goals, values, needs, time lines, availability, geography, urgency, and means. As a sole practitioner licensed in the state of MA as a psychologist, Health Service Provider, located in a free-standing private practice, with limited availability, we will also address the ‘goodness of fit’ as to whether I am the best practitioner for you.
Contrary to some characterizations of psychology or psychotherapy, ‘therapy’ or counseling as past oriented, and maintaining a pathologizing mindset, my clientele often requests, and I provide, a collaborative, present and future-oriented, strengths-based, active, goal-oriented style to my clinical practice which falls within the scope of my training and license. Some may say it fits the description of coaching. Thus, while ‘coaching’ per se from a ‘coach’ is not reimbursable by insurance, and coaches may not diagnose any medical or mental health conditions, or co-occurring or underlying elements, my services may be reimbursable to clients from their insurance as provided by a licensed psychologist rendering psychological services.
As a psychologist, art therapist, and group facilitator, I have received many years of training, supervision, and post graduate education from well-respected institutions, mentors and colleagues, that inform my evaluations, formulations, and clinical decisions. My training includes understanding the complexities, and dynamics that are inherent to the sacred nature of our work and prepares me to deal with emotionally laden, unforeseen circumstances. Holding a license ensures clients that I have the credentials, as well as the ethics, to maintain healthy boundaries; only practice within the scope of my training; ensures the maintenance, and knowledge of the limits of client confidentiality and privacy; requires active engagement in continued professional development; and that I stay apprised of new research and practice guidelines. While most psychologists are not credentialed to prescribe medication, we can determine if, and when, collaborative work with psychiatrists and other medical practitioners or referrals is warranted.
As a licensed psychologist in MA, my license allows me to offer psychological, counseling, coaching style, evaluative, art therapy, and consultation services within MA. I may consult to those who reside beyond the state of MA. Please see the page on Consultation for further information relevant to out of state inquiries.
Please note that sending me your email inquiry, or my responding to it, do not constitute the initiation of a professional agreement to work together.