An Associate is a provisionally licensed counselor that possesses at least a Master's degree in counseling or related field and has successfully passed the National Counselor Exam (NCE). An Associate must remain in supervision for the first 3,000 hours of their career prior to being able to work without supervision.

Is an Associate a student?

No. An Associate has completed all graduate work, including a 300 hour practicum, and possesses at least a Master’s degree in a counseling related field.

Is an Associate inexperienced?

No. All of our Associates are somewhere within the 3,000 hours of supervised experience.

Associates cannot be paid by insurance, so they are not able to charge an insurance company for services provided. Therefore, associates tend to have lower "cash pay" rates than fully licensed therapists. Associates can provide therapy for issues many insurance companies will not cover, such as marital issues, relational concerns, adjustment and transition difficulties, grief/bereavement, and more. Moreover, when one is receiving services from an associate, he or she is getting the benefit of having two clinicians with different skill sets and expertise, because associates are required to meet at least 4 hours per month with their supervisor. While these meetings vary in content from week to week, the primary purpose is to conceptualize cases, review interventions and techniques, collaborate on treatment options and much more. In short, receiving treatment from an Associate entails the benefit of not just that person's knowledge, experience, and expertise, but also that of the associate's supervisor!