Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology, Counseling, Coaching, and Therapy, Oh My!
Searching for a Therapist in Connecticut? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve searched for “therapist Connecticut” and ended up feeling more overwhelmed than when you started, you’re not alone. With so many therapy styles, credentials, and buzzwords floating around, trying to figure out where to begin can feel like another stressor on your plate. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, processing a big life event, or simply curious about mental health support, it’s helpful to understand your options and what might work best for you.
This guide walks through common questions people ask when exploring therapy, counseling, coaching, or a specific method like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). The goal is to help you feel informed, not pressured, so you can make the right choice for your needs.
What’s the difference between therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they can refer to slightly different approaches or styles of support.
Counseling typically focuses on short-term guidance for a specific issue. Think grief support, adjusting to a new role at work, or navigating a breakup.
Psychotherapy often implies longer-term work that explores patterns, emotions, and deeper relational or psychological concerns.
Therapy is the general term most people use. It can include both counseling and psychotherapy and may involve a variety of modalities.
Regardless of the label, these services are typically provided by licensed professionals trained to support mental, emotional, and behavioral health. In Connecticut, therapists may be Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), social workers (LCSWs), marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), or psychologists.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek support because they’re:
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed
Struggling with relationships
Stuck in unhelpful patterns or habits
Grieving a loss
Recovering from trauma or chronic stress
Seeking personal growth or life clarity
Therapy can also be preventative—helping you stay mentally and emotionally resilient before things reach a tipping point. If something in your life feels off or you’re not sure what direction to take next, therapy can be a place to sort through it.
What is coaching, and how does it differ from therapy?
Coaching and therapy both offer support, but their focus is different.
Therapy often addresses emotional healing, past experiences, and psychological concerns. It may involve diagnosing and treating conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Coaching is typically future-focused. It’s about setting goals, increasing motivation, and creating actionable plans for change. Coaching doesn’t treat mental health conditions but can be a helpful tool for people who are generally functioning well and want to grow.
Some professionals blend both approaches when appropriate. For example, someone trained as a therapist might use coaching tools during sessions if a client is focused on career transitions or habit change, rather than emotional healing.
What happens during a first therapy session in Connecticut?
Your first session is a chance to get oriented. Most therapists will:
Ask about what brings you in
Help clarify what you want to work on
Introduce their approach to therapy
Answer any questions about confidentiality, boundaries, and logistics
If you're working with someone trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), they may also begin to outline how that process works. ART is a short-term, structured approach that doesn’t require retelling trauma in detail. Many people find that even the first session brings a sense of direction and relief.
You don’t need to have your goals perfectly figured out. It’s okay to come in uncertain—that’s part of the process.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy is a form of brief therapy that helps people resolve distressing thoughts, emotions, and images by using guided eye movements. It’s based on how the brain processes information during REM sleep and has shown effectiveness in treating:
Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and panic
Grief and loss
Phobias
OCD
Depression
Intrusive thoughts
Emotional reactivity
One of the key benefits of ART is that it doesn’t require talking in-depth about past events. Instead, it helps the brain “recode” the way painful experiences are stored. This can provide quick relief from symptoms without needing months of traditional talk therapy.
ART is also being used to address behavioral and emotional patterns like emotional eating or nicotine use. By targeting the emotional root of a behavior, it becomes easier to shift habits without relying solely on willpower.
Is ART right for everyone?
While ART has been studied most in relation to PTSD, it’s also useful for people who:
Feel stuck in cycles of overthinking
Struggle with guilt, shame, or self-blame
Experience emotional numbness or overwhelm
Are dealing with recent losses or life changes
Want a non-invasive, structured form of therapy
It’s often a good fit for individuals who feel they’ve “talked something to death” but still haven’t felt resolution. Because it doesn’t center around labeling or diagnosis, it can also feel more strengths-based and hopeful.
That said, ART is just one of many approaches. A skilled therapist can help you determine if it fits your goals or if another path might be more supportive.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. In Connecticut, therapy is protected by confidentiality laws. This means your therapist cannot share information about you without your written consent, with a few exceptions:
If there is a risk of harm to yourself or others
If there is suspected abuse of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult
If required by court order
These limits are reviewed during your first session so you understand your rights and privacy.
Coaching is not held to the same legal standards, although many coaches still treat sessions as private.
Do therapists in Connecticut take insurance?
Some do, some don’t. Therapists who offer ART often do not accept insurance, and there’s a reason for that.
Insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis and often detailed progress notes to approve treatment. ART, however, focuses on symptom relief rather than assigning a diagnosis. This creates a disconnect with the medical model most insurers require.
Instead, many clients use HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) funds to pay for sessions. These accounts offer flexibility and privacy, and they can make high-quality care more accessible.
How long does therapy take?
This varies widely depending on your goals and the method used.
With ART, many people experience noticeable relief within 1 to 5 sessions.
For deeper issues, clients may stay in therapy for several months or longer.
Coaching often works in shorter time frames and is goal-specific.
The important thing is that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. A good therapist will regularly check in about progress and make sure the work continues to feel helpful.
What kinds of people seek therapy in Connecticut?
There’s no “typical” client. People from all walks of life seek support, including:
Adults navigating grief, transitions, or anxiety
Professionals feeling burnt out or stuck in old patterns
Women facing infertility, pregnancy loss, or postpartum shifts
Men who have learned to cope by staying silent and are now ready for a different way
Individuals seeking freedom from habits like emotional eating, smoking, or chronic people-pleasing
Some have tried therapy before and are looking for something different. Others are completely new to the idea. The common thread is a desire to feel more like themselves again—or to discover a version of themselves they haven’t met yet.
Do I need a mental health diagnosis to start therapy?
Not necessarily. Some therapists, especially those who don’t bill insurance, take a non-pathologizing approach. That means the focus is on healing, symptom relief, and emotional resilience—not on labeling.
This can be especially helpful if you’re seeking therapy for something that doesn’t easily fit into a diagnosis, like feeling emotionally stuck or wanting to change long-term patterns.
Choosing the Right Therapist in Connecticut
When you’re looking for a therapist, it’s helpful to ask:
Do they have experience with your concerns?
What approaches or modalities do they use?
Do they offer consultations so you can see if it’s a good fit?
Are you looking for in-person sessions or virtual ones?
Finding someone you feel comfortable with is key. Credentials, training, and therapy style matter—but so does feeling heard, respected, and understood.
Final Thoughts
Starting therapy is a brave and powerful step, whether you’re doing it for the first time or returning after a break. The important thing is that you don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you’re seeking therapy in Groton, Mystic, New London County, or anywhere across Connecticut, the right support can help you feel more grounded, clear, and connected.
If you're exploring options and still have questions, consider reaching out to a therapist for a consultation. A 15-minute conversation can often bring more clarity than hours of online research.
Author Bio:
Jennifer Laptew Williams is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Groton, Connecticut, and the founder of Hope & Healing Professional Counseling. She specializes in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), helping adults across Connecticut find relief from anxiety, trauma, grief, and patterns that no longer serve them. Jennifer is known for her compassionate, nonjudgmental approach and her commitment to helping clients heal. Learn more about her work at HopeHealingChange.com.