Texas Counselor Titles, Explained
LPC, LPC Associate, Intern: What the Titles Mean
Counselor titles can look like alphabet soup. Here is what each one means in Texas, how supervision works, and why a supervised clinician may be a great place to start.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
An LPC has finished a master's degree in counseling, passed the required exams and completed a period of supervised practice. They hold a full license and can practice on their own.
At Restorative Peace, our LPCs include Whitney Harper, Melisa Smith and Tara Franklin. Each has years of experience in specific areas, from trauma and grief to couples and family work.
LPC Associate
An LPC Associate has also finished a master's degree and passed the required exam, and holds a license. The difference is that they practice under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) while they complete their supervised hours toward full licensure.
In practice, that means an experienced supervisor reviews their work and is available for consultation. You still meet one-on-one with your counselor, and what you share stays confidential within the care team. Demetria Flowers and Lyndsay Dawson are LPC Associates on our team, each with 4 years of experience.
Graduate Counselor Intern
A graduate counselor intern is a master's student in counseling who sees clients under supervision as part of their training. Interns bring current training and close support from their supervisor to every session.
Debbie Vidana is a Graduate Counselor Intern on our team. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and works with children and families.
What This Means for You
All three can offer good care. The best choice depends on what you need, who has openings and what fits your budget.
When you reach out, tell us what brings you in and whether cost or timing matters most. We will suggest the clinicians whose focus and openings match, and explain their titles in plain words so you can choose with confidence.
- Supervised clinicians often have more openings, so you may start sooner
- Rates differ by licensure: self-pay sessions start at $50 with an intern, $100 with an LPC Associate and $150 with an LPC
- Insurance coverage can vary by plan and by clinician
- You can always ask who supervises your counselor and how supervision works
Every LPC Associate and Graduate Counselor Intern at Restorative Peace practices under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S).
Clinicians for This
Demetria FlowersLPC Associate, MAPractices under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S).
Lyndsay DawsonLPC Associate, MAPractices under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S).
Debbie VidanaGraduate Counselor InternPractices under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S).
Common Questions
- Will my sessions be private if my counselor is supervised?
- Yes. Supervision happens within the care team to support the quality of your care. Your information is not shared outside it except as the law requires, and your counselor can explain exactly how it works.
- Is an LPC Associate less qualified?
- An LPC Associate has the same degree and exam as an LPC and holds a license. They are completing supervised practice, which means an experienced supervisor is part of your care.
- Do rates differ between titles?
- Yes. Self-pay sessions start at $50 with a Graduate Counselor Intern, $100 with an LPC Associate, $150 with an LPC and $215 with an LPC-S. Our Rates and Insurance page lists every session length.
Ready to Begin?
Have a question about who would fit you best? Call, text or email, and we will talk through your options.