A common misconception is that only highly experienced therapists can help individuals with their therapeutic concerns. Another misconception is that if a therapist needs to go to therapy (and pretty much all therapists should be doing that, but that’s another soapbox for another day), they can only benefit from working with a highly experienced therapist who has been in the field longer than them or has more extensive training than them.
I am a licensed psychologist, and I have been working in the mental health field since late 2015. I have experience working with various populations and have formalized training in multiple trauma modalities. I’ve presented to hundreds of other healthcare professionals on LGBTQIA+ informed and affirming care and have trained or helped to train several associate therapists and students as they work toward licensure…. And at one point I thought this meant I needed a therapist who could top my expertise in order to get the impact out of my personal therapy that I wanted to have.
This has changed for me. Over time, I’ve found immense value in working with an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) for my own care, challenging my previous assumptions. The therapist who I receive my personal care from is not yet licensed and is supervised by a licensed clinician. Over the next several paragraphs, I’d like to go over why I made this choice, and why associates and student therapists can be an excellent choice to help you meet your own therapeutic goals.
Education and Training
Associate and student therapists undergo rigorous training before they ever get to the point of meeting with a client. In California, they must have at least a bachelor’s degree and some portion of a masters degree complete prior to becoming a student therapist, and must have completed at least a masters degree before becoming an associate therapist. In addition to this, some student and associate therapist undergo specialized training to enhance their skills beyond what they learn in school.
For associate therapists (APCC, AMFT, ACSW, Psychological Associate, etc.), they have already completed hundreds of clinical hours prior to becoming an associate, so this is not their first rodeo. They are also supervised, which means that it’s not only their eyes on your treatment plan. They are required to consult and receive supervision from a licensed clinician for at least one hour each week on their cases, with many receiving 4-6 hours weekly.
For me, this means that I effectively get two therapists planning for my treatment rather than just one, each bringing fresh ideas, expertise, and accountability. This dynamic fosters a uniquely layered approach to my treatment, with both my therapist and their supervisor applying their knowledge to ensure that our sessions are as impactful as possible.
Oversight
I touched on this a bit in the last paragraph, but associate and student therapists are required to have oversight on their cases. For a licensed clinician, unless something is going very wrong, there really is no oversight on their day-to-day work. Hopefully, they are working within their competencies and behaving ethically and don’t need that oversight, but if a licensed clinician does need that oversight and doesn’t seek it out on their own, by the time they receive it it’s probably too late and things have gone very, very wrong.
For student and associate therapists, this oversight is built in. It’s provided each week no matter what. In fact, this oversight is legally required. It can help to ensure consistency and high-quality care because supervisors review each case after each session, both by reviewing charts and notes and by meeting directly with the student or associate therapist. Imagine getting not just one, but two therapists actively invested in your growth—that’s the benefit of having a supervised associate!
For me as a client, this is comforting. I want to ensure that my care is high quality. When I found a clinician who seemed like a good fit for me, the fact that they were supervised was almost like getting a free bonus to my therapy – it ensured that someone was making sure I wasn’t wasting my time with my sessions and that the therapeutic techniques provided would actually be effective for my treatment.
Extra Insight
Of course there are the scary, “this needs to be checked up on” scenarios that being supervised can help to mitigate, but just having a second set of eyes on a case can provide fresh perspectives and added insight on any given situation with a client. As a client who is also a licensed psychologist, I’ve often thought of a lot of the “basic” answers to my problems before I even go into therapy. For some clinicians, this might leave them feeling like they’re not sure where else to go. Because my personal therapist is an associate, I get the benefit of my ideas, their ideas, AND their supervisor’s ideas all rolled into the same care plan.
The work I do with my personal therapist feels collaborative. Because my therapist is still working toward licensure, many of the ideas that my therapist has are from fresh research, new therapeutic approaches, and innovative ideas. Some of these ideas are from things that I myself was not taught in school, so I can really appreciate the extra work that student and associate therapists put in to bring comprehensive care to their clients. Many students and associates are eager to put in the extra work for clients because they are new to the field and bring fresh energy and excitement.
Cost of Therapy
Associate therapists can often bill your insurance under the license of their supervisor. This is called associate billing, and most insurance companies allow for it. This means that working with an associate will financially be identical to working with a licensed clinician.
Student therapists – those who are still in school receiving their education and are not yet eligible for associate status – often work on a reduced or sliding scale fee, making therapy more affordable for individuals who do not have insurance, are underinsured, or may have high deductibles that make therapy otherwise feel out of reach.
Choosing the Right Therapist > Choosing the Right License
Just like friendships or partnerships, the strength of the bond is what leads to growth and support—not the title. Therapy success comes more from your relationship with your therapist than it does from the therapist’s license. This seems obvious I say it like that, doesn’t it? But for whatever reason we often get caught up in the license type (or whether there is a license yet) in choosing a therapist. I’ll admit, I’ve been there. There was a time earlier in my career that I, too, thought that if I’m a psychologist I really need to receive my care from another psychologist. I was wrong.
When choosing a therapist, it is so important to look for a therapist who you feel comfortable with. You may need someone with specific experiences or specializations, of course. For example, I would want someone competent in working with the LGBTQIA+ population since this is a community I am a member of. If I experience symptoms associated with a specific diagnosis, I would want someone competent in treating that diagnosis. Aside from that, though, most of my work is going to come from my relationship with my therapist.
Think of it this way – If I were your therapist and I suggested that you try certain techniques outside of therapy (maybe a relaxation technique, a coping skill, or setting boundaries in your relationship), and you didn’t feel like you could trust me, you probably wouldn’t follow through on my suggestions, right? If I didn’t trust my therapist, I wouldn’t – so I don’t blame you! If you and I had an amazing therapeutic relationship, you really felt that I understood you, and you trusted me, you’d probably be more likely to try new things, even if they were slightly outside of your comfort zone.
This really demonstrates the importance of your relationship with your therapist. That relationship is in no way associated with what type of license (pre-licensure) the clinician has. It is completely associated with whether the clinician is the right fit for you. All clients, including therapists who are clients, should feel empowered to seek the connection that best serves their needs. My best advice is to prioritize qualities like empathy, compatibility, and therapeutic style over the level of licensure.
To Sum It Up…
As a licensed psychologist, I feel confident and comfortable in receiving my own therapy from an AMFT, even as a seasoned therapist myself. Associate and student therapists receive extensive training, often alongside hundreds of supervised hours, to ensure they’re well-prepared for client work. This layered oversight is intentionally designed to foster quality care and make sure that every step of their growth as therapists includes accountability and excellence. So, if you’re considering therapy, know that associates and student therapists aren’t just beginners—they’re dedicated professionals supported by a structure that maximizes their ability to help you grow.
They can also be a cost-effective way to receive therapeutic services that may otherwise feel out of reach of many people. If you’re considering therapy, don’t let licensure be the only factor in your decision. Take the time to find someone who truly resonates with you and meets your unique needs. Whether they’re a community member looking for a therapist, a seasoned psychologist, or an associate just starting out, the right therapist for you is the one who makes you feel understood, supported, and motivated to grow.
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