Questions To Find The Right Therapist

Finding a therapist can be challenging. And finding the right therapist can seem really difficult, especially if it's your first time.

You may be wondering:

• How do I figure out if a therapist is right for me?

• What questions should I ask?

• I don't want to waste weeks or months if they turn out to be a bad match.

If this resonates with you, grab a pen and paper and start writing down some starter questions.

Before finding a therapist, it's important to know what you want to get out of counseling sessions.

Ask yourself:

• What do I hope to gain from therapy?

• What am I focusing on?

• What problems do I want to work on?

Take some time to reflect and write down your goals.

Example: With the help of a therapist/counsellor, I'd like to overcome my sleep problems, cope with stress from work, or improve my relationships.

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Before calling or having a face-to-face initial consultation with a potential therapist, check out their website and get as much information on:

• Qualifications: What is their educational background?

• Services: What kind of therapy do they offer? What is their specialty? Do they offer virtual sessions?

• Insurance: Do they accept insurance?

• Cost: How much do they charge per session?

This research can help you prepare for the initial consultation.

Bring these questions with you to your first consultation or your initial call:

Background & experience:

1. How can you help me with [goal]?

2. What do you know about my specific condition?

3. What treatments do you offer?

Therapy approaches:

1. How will you measure my progress?

2. How will I know if therapy is working?

3. What is expected of me during sessions?

Logistics:

1. How many sessions do you think we’ll need?

2. How flexible is your schedule?

3. What's your cancellation policy?

Now you have a great starting point for questions. Remember to keep your main goals in mind when researching therapists.