How to Choose a Therapist in Sandy, Utah

1. Start with the licence

Every therapist practising in Utah holds a licence from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). The letters after a name tell you the training path and whether the person can practise independently.

Credential	What it means	Independent practice?
LCSW	Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Master of Social Work plus supervised clinical hours and a clinical exam.	Yes
CSW	Certified Social Worker. Has the master's degree and is completing supervised hours toward the LCSW.	Under supervision
CMHC	Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Master's in counseling plus supervised hours and an exam.	Yes
ACMHC	Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor, completing supervised hours toward the CMHC.	Under supervision
LMFT	Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Master's in marriage and family therapy plus supervised hours.	Yes
Psychologist	Doctorate (PhD or PsyD). Can also do formal psychological testing.	Yes
Psychiatrist	Medical doctor. Prescribes medication; some also provide therapy.	Yes

A supervised associate can be an excellent therapist, often at a lower fee, but you should know who supervises them. To verify any licence, search the name on the Utah DOPL licence lookup at secure.utah.gov/llv. It shows the licence type, its status and any disciplinary history.

2. Match the specialty to your situation

"Therapist" covers a wide range. Narrow it by what you need help with and by who needs the help.

By concern

• Anxiety or depression: look for training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Both have strong research support.
• Trauma or PTSD: ask whether the therapist is trained in EMDR or another trauma-focused method, and how often they use it. Our EMDR guide explains what to expect.
• Children and teens: ask about play therapy or other child-specific training, and how parents are involved. See the parent's guide to child therapy.
• Family conflict: family systems training matters more than individual-therapy experience.
• Identity and relationships: if you are LGBTQIA+, ask directly whether the practice is affirming, not just "accepting".

By who is coming

If more than one family member may need support, a practice that sees both children and adults saves you from managing two therapists who never talk to each other.

3. Sort out insurance before the first session

Two separate things have to be true: the therapist is in network with your plan, and your plan covers the service. Confirm both.

1. Ask the practice which plans they are in network with. Agile Counseling lists the plans it works with on the insurance page.
2. Call the member number on your card and ask about outpatient mental health benefits: deductible, copay or coinsurance, session limits and whether telehealth is covered.
3. If the therapist is out of network, ask whether they provide a superbill you can submit yourself.

Our guide to what therapy costs in Utah walks through each of these terms.

4. Check the practical details

• Location and parking. A therapist you can reach in 15 minutes is one you will keep seeing. Agile Counseling is at 45 W 9000 S in Sandy, with free parking and a wheelchair-accessible office.
• Telehealth. Useful for busy weeks, bad weather or clients outside the Salt Lake Valley. Ask whether the therapist offers it and whether your plan covers it.
• Availability. Ask how soon a first appointment is available and what the usual wait is between sessions.
• Session length. Standard sessions run around 50 to 60 minutes. Some therapists offer longer blocks for EMDR or intensive work.

5. Judge the fit

Research on therapy outcomes consistently finds that the relationship between client and therapist predicts progress as much as the method does. Signs of a good fit:

• You feel heard in the first session, not lectured.
• The therapist explains how they plan to work with you and asks what you want out of it.
• You leave with something concrete: a skill, a plan, a next step.
• Disagreement is allowed. A good therapist can hear "that didn't land" without getting defensive.

If it is not working after two or three sessions, say so. A professional therapist will either adjust or refer you to someone better suited.

6. Questions to ask on the first call

1. What is your licence, and how long have you been practising independently?
2. How much of your caseload looks like my situation?
3. Which approaches do you use, and why those?
4. Are you in network with my plan? If not, do you provide a superbill?
5. What does a typical first session look like?
6. How will we know whether therapy is working?
7. Do you offer telehealth?
8. What is your cancellation policy?

Warning signs

• No licence number on request, or a licence that does not appear in the DOPL lookup.
• Promises of a cure or a fixed number of sessions before meeting you.
• Pressure to prepay for packages.
• Vague answers about who is in network.

Frequently asked questions

How do I verify a therapist's licence in Utah?

Search the therapist's name on the Utah Division of Professional Licensing lookup at secure.utah.gov/llv. The record shows the licence type, whether it is active and any disciplinary action.

What is the difference between an LCSW and a CMHC?

Both are master's-level, independently licensed therapists in Utah. An LCSW trained in social work and a CMHC in counseling. For most anxiety, depression and relationship concerns the difference matters less than the therapist's specialty and experience.

Should I choose a therapist by insurance or by specialty?

Start with specialty, then check insurance. A therapist who treats your specific concern will usually get you further in fewer sessions. If the right specialist is out of network, ask about a superbill before ruling them out.

How many sessions before I know if a therapist is a good fit?

Most people have a clear sense within two or three sessions. If you do not feel heard, or you leave without anything concrete, raise it with the therapist or move on.

Does Agile Counseling see both children and adults?

Yes. Candice Gonzalez, LCSW, works with children, teens, adults and families, in person in Sandy and by telehealth across Utah.