The Benefits of Working With a Private Practice Therapist

Mental health has grown as an open topic of conversation since the pandemic, and more people than ever seem to reach out for help. This change catalyzed the startup of large wellness corporations offering “on-demand” therapy, which feel more like tech companies than private mental health care practices. Further examination of the care provided by these corporations reveals that many people who think they are receiving quality therapy are getting less than professional help.

Often when large corporations advertise their product as “therapy,” it really stands for general support and advice offered via text or voice message, or AI-generated content. In some cases, the “therapist” you think you’ve conversed with isn’t even a real person! If you’ve met with a therapist through this kind of corporation, the sessions may have felt rushed, impersonal, and unprofessional – not to mention unhelpful! Your therapist may not have had adequate training or be under pressure to prioritize company goals over providing effective care. For example, some companies pay their therapists per word when messaging their clients, thus incentivizing quantity over quality and depth.

We need to raise awareness of the type of care we receive, especially from large online corporations.

At this point, you might wonder what drives my interest in this subject. Or you might guess that I have a horse in this race. As the Founder of Therapy Changes, I am a proponent of private practice, particularly group private practice. As such, you may regard me as biased, and you would be correct. However, my education and 15 years of experience in the field provide me with a worthy perspective on the subject. So, please read on…

What’s the Difference?

First, we must differentiate between large mental health corporations and private practice therapists.

• Large corporations provide online platforms that offer therapeutic support to promote wellness, often backed by venture capital investment. As Ryan Schwartz, Founder of Mental Health Match says, “These corporations are under scrutiny from investors to compete, grow, and profit – pressures that seep into the intimate relationship between therapists and their clients.”
• Private practice refers to a professional therapist who operates one’s own business. Private practice therapists work independently or as a small group to offer mental health services, usually within the community where they reside. Private practice therapists are usually highly qualified, have freedom to provide focused guidance and strategically personalize their treatments for each of their clients.

Many people, especially first-time therapy seekers, do not realize the difference between mental health support and professional therapy. This article will discuss what private practice therapists can offer and why you should choose to work with a trained mental health professional.

Benefits of Working With a Private Practice Therapist

1. The Personal Touch

We understand that therapy – just like a successful business – thrives on small, authentic interpersonal moments built on a foundation of trust and respect.

Businesses today, including healthcare, have lost the personal, courteous, and respectful interactions that we sorely crave and need. Private practice therapists hold themselves to a high standard of professionalism and prioritize your comfort and care.

Research shows that success in therapy depends highly on the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist. This relationship starts before your first therapy session and needs to be nurtured throughout your time in therapy. At Therapy Changes, we operate within a well-defined value system that guides how we interact with each other, our clients, and our community. You’ll notice these values in the personal care and comfort that you receive – from the first call to the office and throughout your journey in therapy. Your time and feelings are always respect at Therapy Changes.

2. Therapy That Works!

Therapy is more than a place to vent.

Private practice therapists believe in the power of action-oriented therapeutic approaches to help you achieve your goals. Coined as “therapy that works,” action-oriented models of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teach practical tools and strategies to help you overcome obstacles and feel more like you again. These therapies have proven effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) as well as other concerns.

Therapy Changes therapists are licensed psychologists who hold doctorate degrees in clinical psychology. Our therapists, in contrast to non-licensed therapists, have received extensive training to make assessments and guide treatment based upon widely respected research.

 3. Face-to-Face Interactions

Face-to-face interactions are important to develop a collaborative and open relationship with your therapist and help you delve more deeply into the root cause of your concerns.

In the U.S. today, we face an epidemic of loneliness. Now more so than ever, making meaningful connections must be a priority, especially if you are healing from trauma or working to build healthy relationships. Your therapist can offer sessions in person or via video. You will meet for an hour of devoted, uninterrupted time set aside specifically for you. Your therapist will invite you to share your expectations and goals for therapy, and explain How Therapy Works and What to Expect.

4. Specialized Services

You should feel seen, heard, and understood by your therapist, and have confidence in their ability to provide the specialized care you need.

You should be selective when choosing a professional to help you manage the most trying times of your life. When you work with a private practice therapist you will benefit from their knowledge and expertise on the topic or issue that you need help with. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all model, and private practice therapists have the most flexibility and freedom to tailor therapy to meet your needs. At Therapy Changes, our Client Care Coordinator will take time to learn more about your concerns and match you with a talented member of our team to provide specialty services.

5. Coordinated Care Between Therapists

Your private practice therapist will point you in the right direction should you, or a member of your family, need additional care and support.

Your private practice therapist works closely with other therapists within their group and community to provide you comprehensive care. This may include consultation with other therapists and providers on your care team, or specific referrals to enrich your therapy. For example, if you are in individual therapy, you may also find it helpful to work concurrently with a couples therapist in the same group practice.

A private practice therapist has specific and often nuanced knowledge of resources in the community such as healthcare referrals, organizations for issues that you face, ideas for healthy movement, group therapy, and other types of complementary care such as mindfulness.

In Conclusion

Mental health now stands as an open topic of conversation for many people since the pandemic began, and for good reason. The stress of repeated lockdowns, grief, worry, loneliness, and isolation have a lasting impact on millions of people. One positive change through this shared trauma is that more people are seeking help for their mental health. We need to raise awareness of the type of care we receive, especially from large online corporations. This type of support may help some people, but it does not stand as a substitute for the depth, quality, and connection offered by private practice therapists.

If you have received unhelpful or unprofessional care for your mental health, it’s time to seek professional therapy from a trained mental health provider in private practice.

If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or need new tools and a strategy to address the problem areas in your life, the team at Therapy Changes is here to help. Working with a professional San Diego Psychologist will help you address the obstacles in your way on the path to living a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled life.

Contact us today and speak to our Client Care Coordinator who will match you with a therapist best suited to provide the quality care you deserve.

We look forward to meeting you soon.