How do I decide if a psychologist or therapist is a good fit?
Questions to Ask a Prospective Therapist
You’ve taken the first step in looking for a therapist and maybe you’ve looked online, in Westlake, Ohio, and the greater Cleveland area and there seem to be a bunch that seem nice enough or like they could be a good fit but you wonder how do I really know? I know that therapy can be a time and financial commitment so it can seem overwhelming to find a therapist that is the right fit. Most therapists offer a free short consultation so that both you and the therapist can figure out if you are a good fit for each other. The first appointment is also a good time to get some questions answered. But what should you ask? It can be intimidating. Below I will highlight a few questions that can help!
1. What is Your Approach to Therapy?
You may be familiar with some therapy lingo but not everyone is. Common approaches to therapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and family systems. If you read that sentence and you were like, okay, what? That’s totally normal. Therapists should also be able to explain their approach in ways that non-therapists can understand. Therapists may be more focused on the here and now in the session (humanistic), gaining insight from the past and how it affects your current life (psychodynamic), changing current thinking and behavioral patterns (CBT), or working with you and your family to help build healthy relationships (family systems). A lot of therapists integrate 2 or more types of therapy into their practice.
2. What Are Your Qualifications and Experience?
It’s okay (and recommended) to ask about their education, licensure, and years of practice. This question ensures you’re working with someone who is licensed, well-trained, and experienced in handling your specific issues.
3. Have You Treated Clients With Similar Issues to Mine Before?
It can be comforting to know that your therapist has experience with issues similar to yours, whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or any other concern.
4. What Can I Expect From a Session?
Understand the format of regular sessions. How long is the appointment, how often will you meet, does the therapist structure the appointment, or is it unstructured. Will there be homework or activities? Knowing this helps in setting expectations for your engagement.
5. How Do You Measure Progress in Therapy?
Therapists often use different methods to measure progress. It could be through you telling them how you are doing, their observations, and some therapists use questionnaires or rating scales to help assess progress.
6. What Are Your Policies on Confidentiality?
Confidentiality is crucial in therapy. Understanding your therapist's policies can help you feel secure about sharing personal information. If there is something you are concerned they may have to report/share you can ask them if you can ask what they would do in a hypothetical situation.
7. What Are Your Fees and Do You Accept Insurance?
Therapy can be a significant financial commitment. Knowing the costs and whether your insurance is accepted will help you plan accordingly. If your therapist accepts your insurance it is also a good idea to check with your insurance to make sure therapy is covered, if you have to meet a deductible before insurance covers your appointments, and if you have a copay if it is a regular copay or specialist copay.
8. What Are Your Availability and Cancellation Policies?
Understanding their availability (evenings, weekends, or weekdays) and the cancellation policy will help you fit therapy into your schedule smoothly.
9. How Do You Handle Emergencies?
Asking about emergency protocols ensures you know what to do and whom to contact in urgent situations. Many therapists are not available 24/7 to provide assistance in an emergency. If this is important to you this is a question you definitely want to ask.
10. How Do You Maintain Professional Development?
Therapy practices evolve, so it's good to know if your therapist engages in ongoing education and training to stay updated with the latest techniques and developments.
11. Are There Any Specific Populations or Issues You Don't Work With?
Some therapists might specialize in certain populations or issues and might not have experience in others. This question ensures there are no mismatches especially if there is something you are not comfortable sharing initially but may want to work on it after you develop trust with your therapist.
Taking the time to ask these questions can help with finding a therapist who is a good fit. Reflecting before and after the first meeting or phone call on if there are responses that would signal a yes, no, or maybe from these questions can also help guide you. It’s okay to ask for time to reflect on the meeting to make sure you want to move forward rather than scheduling right from the first meeting or consult. Remember, it’s important to feel comfortable and understood by your therapist for therapy to be most effective.