FAQs About Counseling, Coaching, Psychotherapy, and Finding Therapy in Great Falls, MT

There are so many awesome qualities about living in this stunning state of ours - the beauty, the people, the great outdoors….  My only frustration as a therapist in Montana is our delayed willingness to openly discuss therapy, mental health, counseling, and coaching, which leaves us with a lot of questions. Which then leads to hesitation in reaching out for these services.

I get it, and I want to help clear up some of that confusion. Because life is too short to swallow our unhappiness, overwhelm, anxiety, etc. and try to white-knuckle it. Let’s dive in.

What is therapy?

Therapy is the process of working one-on-one with an individual trained in the complexities of trauma, human emotion, behavior, and relationships with the goal of learning about oneself and experience in order to decrease negative symptoms (anxiety, depression, conflict, etc.) and increase effective thoughts and behavior. Through therapy, clients can experience relief from negative symptoms, acceptance of situations (or people) that can’t be controlled, and live a happier, more fulfilled life.

What is counseling?

See “What is therapy?”. :)

Wait…are counseling and therapy in Great Falls the same thing?

You betcha! Counseling and therapy are used interchangeably, along with “counselor” and “therapist”. But it’s all the same thing.

What about coaching? Is a coach what I need over a therapist in Great Falls?

This is where it can get tricky. Coaching and therapy can look very similar, but there is a distinct difference. Therapy typically focuses on addressing mental health concerns, emotional issues, and psychological disorders. It often delves into past experiences, childhood traumas, and deep-seated emotions to uncover underlying issues and facilitate healing.

In contrast, coaching primarily focuses on personal and professional development. It aims to help individuals set and achieve specific goals, enhance performance, and unlock their full potential. Coaching tends to be future-oriented, with an emphasis on action plans and accountability.

A therapist can be a coach, but a coach cannot just be a therapist. Coaching is unregulated and does not require any specific degree, credential, or license, whereas therapy does.

Not sure which one would better serve you? Feel free to give me a call and I’m happy to offer a free 15 minute consultation to discuss your concerns or stressors and point you in the right direction. I have found that my initial work with clients begins in therapy, but toward the end of our time together, we move into more of a coaching relationship, which takes new awareness and emotional growth from therapy and channels that into maximizing personal and professional potential.

Wait, what about LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologists, LMHC, etc.? What do I need?

So many acronyms, right?! Here’s what they stand for:

LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor

The good news: regardless of the letters, we all do pretty much the same thing. Any of the following professionals will work with you to improve your mental health.

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Great Falls, MT. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 406-459-4225 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person.