Eight questions to consider when choosing a therapist

How does it feel to sit down with the therapist?
Do you feel like you will be comfortable talking about your thoughts and emotions with this person?

Do you trust this person’s wisdom or experience?
When choosing a therapist, you should feel confident in the advice and recommendations they give. If you find yourself questioning much of what your therapist is saying, that person may not be a good fit for your situation.

Are you comfortable asking this therapist questions?
Your relationship with your therapist, regardless of how long or short your relationship lasts, is dependent on having an open two-way communication. If you pick the right therapist for you, you should feel comfortable asking questions or for more information when something doesn’t make sense to you.

Do they offer a free consultation?
A good therapist will be willing to have a 10- or 15- minute phone consultation with you so you can get a feel for whether or not the person will be a right fit.

What sort of process are you looking for?
Are you looking for a therapist who is solutions-focused? Or do you want to take longer to talk through things over a longer period of time?

What is your new therapist’s qualifications and experience?
What school did they graduate from, how long have they been in practice, and what sorts of clients do they typically work with? Does this therapist specialize in any subjects and if so, why? It’s okay to ask your therapist questions to ensure you are comfortable with them and with the help and guidance they offer.

How do they handle crises or emergencies?
There are sometimes occasions where you may need to talk between sessions. What happens if you need to speak with your therapist before your next appointment? Can you leave a message on their answering machine or send them an email? How long would they take to respond in that situation?

How do they feel about your specific situation?
Ask your therapist what they think of your situation. Do they seem interested in working with you and confident that they can help?

Please feel free to give call or send an email to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation.

Please call or email if you would like to talk.