A bit about training and credentialing

Nikki here, I wanted to write about about my training as I get questions about this from time to time. Therapy is often be shrouded in mystery. Names are followed by an alphabet soup of letters and clients are rarely educated about what the letters mean or how a professional was trained. I think it’s important for clients to understand the process of therapy and everything behind the scenes. 

This takes away some of the uncertainty and provides transparency. I will plan to write more about other topics related to counseling in the future and I'm happy to answer any questions clients may have about any part of the process. 

Let's start with credentials and training. What I love about being trained as a counselor is that counseling and counselors value being equal with their clients. We may have degrees and training but we are human just like you. And one of the main values of the counseling profession is that the client is the expert on themselves and counselors are there to share knowledge and information but ultimately it is up to the client to decide what is right for them. I specifically chose this type of training because I believe that all people are capable in many ways and that I am no better or worse than anyone else. I view myself as sitting in the side car of the motorcycle, pointing out what I see or hear along the way but you are driving.

As for credentials, I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LCPC). This means I'm trained to provide one on one, group, family, and couples therapy for a range of mental health, behavioral health, and substance use related concerns. I'm also a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) which means I am trained to know about substance use and how substance use impacts individuals and families. I'm also a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). This means that I am trained to teach and supervise other counselors who are learning or working with clients currently. I also provide training and workshops for other professionals as well as the general public. 

I hope this sheds some light on some of the enigma of therapy. ​