Choosing a psychologist can feel like a big decision to make before you have even met anyone. It helps to break it into two parts. The first is checking that the person is qualified and licensed to practice in Michigan. The second, which matters just as much, is whether they are a good fit for you and for what you want help with.
What the titles and letters mean
Mental health professionals use many titles, and they are not interchangeable. A psychologist has completed doctoral training in psychology, which includes supervised clinical work, and is licensed by the state. Counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists are also licensed mental health professionals, with their own training paths and licensing boards. Many of them provide excellent therapy; the difference is in training and scope, not in whether they care about their clients.
PsyD and PhD
Both are doctoral degrees that can lead to licensure as a psychologist. In general terms, a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) program places its main emphasis on clinical practice, while a PhD program in clinical psychology traditionally places more weight on research alongside clinical training. Either degree can prepare someone well for therapy work. The degree matters less than the person's clinical experience and whether their way of working suits you.
LP and other Michigan license types
In Michigan, LP after a name stands for Licensed Psychologist, the doctoral-level license. The state also issues limited licenses, including a master's-level license called Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP), as well as temporary and educational limited licenses for people who are still completing requirements. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) publishes information on each license type.
You can verify any Michigan health professional's license through the state. It is a reasonable step to take before you book, and a psychologist will not be offended that you checked.
Match the psychologist to your concern
Most psychologists describe the concerns they work with most often, such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or relationship difficulties. Look for someone who works regularly with the kind of concern that is bringing you in, and with the kind of client you are. Some psychologists see adults individually, some also see couples, and some focus on children and teens. If a practice's website does not say, ask.
It also helps to know whether you are looking for individual work or for help as a couple. If the main concern is a relationship but your partner is not ready to come, individual therapy can still be a useful place to start.
Understand how they work
Psychologists differ in approach. Some work in a structured, skills-focused way with homework between sessions. Others, like Dr. Lehmann, take an insight-oriented approach that looks at personal history, family patterns, and current functioning together, combined with practical feedback and coping skills. Neither style is right for everyone. What matters is whether the approach makes sense to you and whether the psychologist can explain it clearly.
Therapy and medication are separate decisions. If you are wondering whether medication might help, that is a question for your physician or a psychiatrist. A psychologist can talk with you about how therapy fits alongside the medical care you already have.
Experience is worth asking about too. Years in practice are not everything, but a psychologist who has worked for a long time with concerns like yours will usually have a clearer sense of what tends to help and what to watch for. Professional memberships, such as the American Psychological Association or the Michigan Psychological Association, show an ongoing connection to the field but are not the same as a license.
Check the practical details early
A good clinical fit still has to work in daily life. Before your first appointment, it is worth checking:
- Location and format: an office you can reach, telehealth, or both
- Schedule: whether their available hours line up with yours
- Cost: the session fee, whether they are in network with your insurance, and any late-cancellation policy
- How to reach them between sessions for scheduling, and what they advise in an emergency
If you are paying privately or are uninsured, federal rules generally give you the right to a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before care begins. The CMS No Surprises page explains those rights. For Dr. Lehmann's fees and insurance, see Fees & Insurance.
Questions to ask on the first call
A short phone conversation often tells you a lot. You do not need to share your whole story. Useful questions include:
- Do you work with concerns like mine, and with adults, couples, or both?
- How would you describe your approach, and what does a typical session involve?
- How often do people usually meet with you?
- Do you offer telehealth, and what are the location requirements?
- What are your fees, and do you take my insurance?
Fit is something you can reassess
Research on psychotherapy consistently points to the working relationship between client and therapist as an important part of what helps. You should feel that the psychologist listens, takes your concerns seriously, and explains things in a way you understand. It is normal for the first session or two to feel a little awkward. If after a few sessions you still feel unheard or uncomfortable, it is reasonable to say so, and a good psychologist will welcome that conversation or help you find someone better suited.
If you would like to know what that first appointment usually looks like, see What Happens in a First Therapy Session?.