Mental health counseling is a collaborative and confidential process that supports individuals in understanding their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe, nonjudgmental space. Through counseling, clients work with a trained professional to navigate challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, and past experiences. The goal is not only to reduce distress, but also to build insight, strengthen coping skills, and promote personal growth and resilience. Counseling is tailored to each person’s unique needs, empowering them to make meaningful changes and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Professional counselors are help people gain personal insights, develop strategies and come up with real-life solutions to the problems and challenges they face in every area of life. As trained and credentialed professionals, they accomplish this by getting to know clients, by building safe, positive relationships and suggesting tools and techniques they believe will benefit clients.

LPC/MHSP stands for Licensed Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Service Provider Designation. In Tennessee, we have a two-tiered licensing system. The LPC/MHSP means that the practitioner can “prevent, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated disorders which interfere with mental health.”

An LPC in the state of Tennessee is a highly trained, skilled mental health professional who

• holds a graduate degree in counseling

• has a minimum of 2 years of supervised clinical experience

• is licensed by the Tennessee Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Pastoral Therapists

• completes continuing education required to maintain state licensure

The Tennessee Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Pastoral Therapists defines a “professional counselor” as a professional who assists “an individual, through the counseling relationship, in a manner intended to facilitate normal human growth and development, using a combination of mental health and human development principles, methods and techniques, to achieve mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual, and/or career development and adjustment through the lifespan.”

LPCs are members of the counseling profession. They are similar to other mental health professionals, such as marriage and family therapists, psychologists or social workers, in that all of these professionals work to help people who are in crisis or distress through individual, group, and/or family/couples counseling. Nonetheless, the counseling profession has distinct differences, such as a focus on wellness, developmental processes and prevention/early intervention. LPCs have graduate degrees in counseling and have undergone post-graduate supervised experiences. Similar to other mental health professionals, LPCs can accept insurance for services. LPCs abide by ethical guidelines, such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. Most graduate programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

The American Counseling Association defines counseling as “a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals” (www.counseling.org). The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) defines clinical mental health counseling as “a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Clinical mental health counselors are highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution” (https://www.amhca.org/about/about-us).

All professional counselors have three things in common, so if you choose to work with a counselor, you can expect:

• A Client-Centered Approach That Focuses on You
  Just as no two people are alike, counselors recognize that no two people who work with a counselor will have the same experience. So, a professional counselor’s first goal is to get to know their client.
  
  Your counselor will be interested in hearing about you and all areas of your life. They will likely ask you questions about yourself, your hobbies, your relationships and your work to understand how different parts of your life may be affecting each other.
  
  Through creating a safe, non-judgmental environment and actively listening, counselors help you to explore what’s troubling you. Professional counselors also regularly utilize evidence-based practices grounded in research to ensure top quality care. As counselors get to know you and listen to your concerns, wishes and goals, they help you develop insight so that you can identify and get to the root of your challenges.

• A Wellness-Based Philosophy
  Counselors are committed to helping you achieve wellness in every area of your life. While professional counselors are trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders, they can also work with you to improve your overall wellbeing. Whether you are struggling with life’s adversities or just looking to live a better life, a counselor will approach your treatment with your mental, physical and spiritual wellness in mind. They work with you to understand what is holding you back from achieving wellness, and help you build the knowledge and skills you need to come up with real solutions and healthy coping strategies for the challenges you face.

• A Professional Commitment to Ethical and Culturally Inclusive Practice
  Professional counselors are committed to ensuring that every person who seeks counseling receives ethical, culturally inclusive service that benefits and protects every client. They consider your unique culture and experiences to see your challenges from your perspective. Counselors prioritize your individuality and strive to meet you where you are. They embody this commitment by following the ACA Code of Ethics.

Professional counselors are trained to diagnose and treat clients with mental or behavioral health issues, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or substance use disorder. But you don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit from mental health care. Counselors also work with clients who are seeking to generally improve their wellbeing.