Benefits of Seeing an Associate Therapist
In your search for the right therapist, you may have come across the term Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, the acronym AMFT, or the term Pre-Licensed Therapist. Perhaps you wondered what that means. You may have wondered if they are qualified or experienced enough to help you with your concerns. Maybe you’re just not sure if they can handle the complexities of your situation, but you don’t want to offend anyone by asking.
It is totally reasonable for you to wonder about these things, and any therapist’s office should welcome your questions. We’re happy to share with you that not only can associate therapists be a good fit for your needs, there are some distinct benefits to working with an associate therapist. We’ve broken them down for you here.
Associate Therapists are Well Educated
An associate therapist has completed their Masters degree from an accredited program and is working towards the 3000 hours needed in order to become licensed. Marriage and Family Therapy masters programs are rigorous and they must demonstrate proficiency in research, therapeutic orientations, approaches, and interventions. They must also have personal qualities of a good therapist including empathy, warm acceptance, and the ability to create a non-judgmental, comforting space.
Associate Therapists Work with Clients During their Schooling
Obtaining a Master’s degree isn’t all theoretical book work. Associate therapists work directly with clients during this time, and use these interactions to hone in on the specific methodologies they want to focus on learning and applying, all while receiving rigorous hands-on supervision and training. Your associate therapist has used her skills to help other clients and they’ve seen results.
Associate Therapists have Relevant Experience Prior to College
Many associate therapists have been interested in human development and working closely with people before they went to school to be a therapist. These experiences all benefit you as your associate therapist has many years of building skills in listening and relating, and as well as consciously developing into empathetic and attuned individuals. Our associate therapists at Root to Rise have worked in teaching and tutoring, are certified in yoga & mindfulness meditation, and have extensive multi-cultural experiences and experience working with diverse groups. These dynamics have helped shape them into excellent therapists.
Associate Therapists have Passed the California Law and Ethics Exam
Here in California, associate therapists must pass this exam in order to be registered as an AMFT and prior to working in a private practice setting. You can rest assured that your associate therapist will abide by privacy practices, legal requirements, and the code of ethics that is required of all therapists.
Associate Therapists are Chosen by The Licensed Therapist
When an associate therapist works for a private practice, they were chosen because they bring quality education and experience that will be valuable to the clients the practice serves. Here at Root to Rise, Becky White LMFT hires only associate therapists who are aligned with the practice’s mission and able to provide the same high level of care that Becky herself provides clients. Becky specifically selects therapists that work in a similar style to her, providing warm care, compassion, and acceptance to each client.
Associate Therapists Work Under Supervision
Associate therapists must work under the supervision of a licensed therapist. This means that as the client, you receive the benefit of the experience and knowledge of both the pre-licensed therapist, as well as the licensed therapist that provides weekly supervision. Every week, the licensed therapist reviews the associate therapists’ cases and offers feedback, answers questions, and provides ongoing training for the associate therapist. You can feel confident that your associate therapist will use this time to make sure they have the knowledge they need to best help you.
Associate Therapists are Motivated, Excited and Curious
One of the best things about working with an associate therapist is that they are eager to learn. They are excited to finally be putting their years of education to work, and they want very much to give you the best therapy experience they can. They attend ongoing training and continue to learn new methodologies throughout this time. Your associate therapist isn’t going to be burned out, stuck or jaded. Instead she’ll be curious and open to your experiences and flexible in finding the best way to work with you.
Associate Therapists are Receiving the Most up-to-date Training
The field of psychology is always evolving as we learn more about the human brain and do more research on what methods work best for different presenting issues. Associate therapists receive this up-to-date information as part of their core and ongoing training and development. If you’ve tried therapy before and didn’t find it effective, consider that your associate therapist may have learned something new that is just the right thing to help you.
Associate Therapists Achieve Treatment Results on Par with those of Licensed Therapists
A study of 591 patients at the Psychotherapy Clinic of the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Sweden concluded “that clinically inexperienced student therapists who receive supervision from experienced supervisors can achieve treatment effects that are on a par with those of experienced licensed psychotherapists.”
Associate Therapists have Accessible Fees
You may view a lower fee as an indication of a lower quality service, but nothing could be further from the truth! Associate therapists keep their fees low and often offer sliding scale options so that their services can be accessible to people who otherwise may not be able to afford therapy or afford to be seen as often. You get the benefit of the fresh and open outlook of your associate therapist, her up-to-date training, and the experience of both the associate therapist and the licensed therapist- that’s a lot of bang for your buck! Visit our fees page to learn more about our licensed therapist and associate therapist rates.
Associate Therapists Can Be The Right Fit For You
At the end of the day, the most important thing about your therapist will be if she is a good fit for YOU. Look for a therapist with whom you feel a good connection, who listens to your needs and validates your experiences, and who challenges you in all the right ways. Usually the best way to do that is to schedule a session and see how it feels. You can read more about finding a therapist who is a good fit in our article How To Find the Right Therapist: A Step by Step Guide.
`We hope that has answered your questions and cleared up any misconceptions about Associate Therapists. If you’d like to know more about the therapists in our office, please see our About Us page. You can also give us a call any time and our Client Care Coordinator will help you find the best therapist for your needs.
Warmly,
Emily
Client Care Coordinator
