There are billboards in Baton Rouge right now encouraging people to go online and verify that their counselor is actually licensed.
Let that sink in for a moment.
The fact that this needs to be said — publicly, on a billboard — tells you something important: not everyone who calls themselves a counselor is one. And not everyone who is licensed is necessarily the right fit for you.
So let's talk about how to find someone who is both.
Step One: Figure Out What Kind of Professional You Actually Need
This matters more than most people realize. The mental health field has a lot of different types of professionals, and the more advanced the degree, the broader the scope of what that person can do.
Here is a basic breakdown:
Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) hold doctoral degrees and are primarily known for psychological testing and assessment. Because of their advanced training they could also do counseling — but testing is typically their specialty. Appointments with them are one to four + hours.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in psychiatric medication management. They have advanced mental health training and technically could do counseling sessions, but that is generally not what they are there for. If you need medication evaluated or managed, a psychiatrist is your person. Appointments with them are typically no longer than 15 min.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners also specialize in medication management and come from a nursing background. They do not have the same additional counseling training as a psychiatrist, but they are highly qualified to handle the medication side of mental health care. Appointments with them are typically no longer than 15 min.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are trained in a systems-based approach — meaning they look at the individual within the context of their family, community, and environment. Their education also includes things like grant writing and community advocacy. They are absolutely qualified to do individual counseling. Appointments with them are typically 55 min.
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) complete a master's program with tracks in clinical mental health, marriage and family therapy, or school counseling. Each track shares a strong common foundation with some specialized coursework depending on the population. LPCs are specifically trained for counseling. Appointments with them are typically 55 min.
Bachelor's level helpers — people with degrees in psychology, social work, or related fields — may work in agencies, hospitals, or rehabilitation settings and do important work. However, they are not licensed to provide independent counseling services.
Life coaches and coaches — there is no regulation on this title. Anyone can call themselves a life coach. That does not mean all coaches are bad, but it does mean there is no licensing board overseeing their work or protecting you if something goes wrong.
Step Two: Verify the License
If the professional you want to see holds a master's degree or above, their license should be searchable on a state website.
For counselors in Louisiana, you can search here: 🔗 Louisiana LPC Board — Licensee Search
You are looking for a license that is active and in good standing. Some counselors are active but not in good standing. Others are not active at all. It takes two minutes to check and it is absolutely worth doing.
If you have a concern about a licensed counselor's behavior — something that feels unlawful or unethical — you can file a complaint here: 🔗 Louisiana LPC Board — File a Complaint
The Louisiana Counseling Board exists to protect clients from therapists. Think of them as the police system for our profession. They take seriously things like failure to report child abuse, sexual relationships with clients, or other significant ethical violations. What they cannot do is intervene in situations where a counselor has simply not been a good fit — that falls outside their jurisdiction.
Step Three: Do Your Research
Once you have confirmed the license is active and in good standing, start looking at the particulars.
Read their bio. Look at what populations and issues they specialize in. Check which insurance companies they are paneled with and what their private pay rate is. And pay attention to how they present themselves — because ethics show up in the small things too.
One example: most insurance companies do not cover couples counseling. There are therapists who find workarounds to bill insurance for it anyway by misrepresenting what is happening in session. I have had future client phone calls ask me where they can find a therapist willing to do that. I will not help them find one — and here is my honest feeling about it: if a therapist is willing to be dishonest with an insurance company, what else are they cutting corners on?
You have a right to find the therapist you want. But you also deserve to know what you are walking into.
Step Four: Pay Attention in That First Session
A good therapist should make you feel comfortable, seen, heard, and understood. You should leave feeling like someone got it — not like you just gave a deposition.
But here is something people do not talk about enough: you should also feel comfortable being honest with your therapist. Telling them what is working and what is not. Disagreeing with them. And a good therapist will make it clear that if you want to leave and try someone else, that is completely okay. It is not about them. It is about you. If a therapist seems desperate to keep you in their chair, that is worth noticing.
One thing I do in my practice that not every therapist does: after our first session I create a treatment plan and send it to my client. I had a client tell me he had never received one before in all his years of therapy — but that seeing it helped him understand what we were working toward and confirmed that I had actually heard him. That transparency matters to me. If it does not matter to you, that is okay too — but it might mean we are not the right fit, and that is okay as well.
Finding the right therapist takes a little work upfront. But you are worth that work. Check the license, do the research, and trust how you feel in that first session.
You will know.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a replacement for therapy, counseling, or mental health treatment. If you are interested in working with me, please sign up for counseling through the New Client tab.