1- Guidance on Selecting a Counselor

We know that not all counselors have the same qualifications, and some may not be trustworthy.  A good fit between counselor and client is also necessary, but can be hard to find. Your mental health AND your child's mental health is worthy of the best professional for you.  

We encourage you to be selective as you choose an LPC or PLPC.  

LPC = Licensed Professional Counselor

PLPC = Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor; they must work under the supervision of a Board-Approved supervisor while working toward their licensure

Here are some of our criteria: 

• LPC, PLPC with recommendations, or MSW certification
• As a Christian organization, we tend to trust graduates from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)'s psychiatry and counseling program.   We can assume a certain value system & level of education from them.  NOBTS graduates will generally care about your child's and your health, and prioritize the client's needs above other considerations.  As a rule, they do not attempt to evangelize clients.  They offer the Christian perspective as an option during counseling, but never try to change your beliefs.  NOBTS teaches and encourages use of the SITT (Story-Informed Trauma Therapy) approach developed by Dr. Byron Kehler.  It's an evidence-based approach to trauma counseling that is extremely effective in the long-term.
• Trauma certification 
• Child or adolescent certification
• knowledge of or certification in the following therapies:  Sand Tray Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Story Informed Trauma Therapy (SITT), Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)

Please use this list to ask questions of and research any potential counselor.  

For a list of recommended counseling practices in the New Orleans area, click HERE. 

We realize that COST is a huge factor.  Teletherapy can be a cost-effective and convenient way to get professional help.  The Lucine Center for Grief and Trauma is a  FREE Telehealth provider for children and teens.  If you can't afford counseling and LTK has a wait list, please look into The Lucine Center.  

2- Counseling Scholarship Program

*Click HERE then scroll down to apply for a Counseling Scholarship. *