You’ve done the work of finding a therapist to connect with and now you’ve got them on the phone. What do you want to know?
Here are some questions that can help you see if they are a good fit for you and understand their therapeutic approach better:
How long are your sessions and what are your rates?
Do you take insurance?
If they offer Christian counseling or therapy: Do you have a license?
What is your specific license?
How long have you been practicing?
How do you help clients see change?
What are your areas of expertise?
How long do you think we will work together?
Have you worked with clients like me before?
What’s your approach to working with Christian clients?
What are your strengths and limitations as a therapist?
What is your general philosophy and approach to therapy?
How do you assess progress?
How much do you focus on immediate challenges, and how much do you focus on deeper elements at play?
What theories and models do you use (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Family Systems, Psychodynamic, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Attachment, etc.)?
Are you directive or indirective (how much treatment planning or methodology do you use - do you come with prescribed sessions, or are more informal and focus on discussion and organic flowing of conversation and questions as they arise)?
What role you think my past will play into the therapy work - how much time do you focus on the past?
What do you expect from me? Do you utilize homework?
Then, after the phone call or a first session, here are some helpful questions to ask yourself:
From Everyday Health:
By the end of the conversation, how relaxed did you feel with the therapist?
How did you feel about the pace of the conversation (just right, too slow, too fast)?
How did the conversation seem to flow (easily, awkwardly, etc.)?
Consider one of your deepest, darkest secrets — could you imagine telling this person about it?
From PyschCentral, on the book Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice by Robert W. Firestone (Ph.D), Lisa Firestone (Ph.D), and Joyce Catlett (MA):
To what extend did you feel heard by the therapist?
How respected did you feel by the therapist?
Did the therapist seem like a real person or were they playing a role?
Was the therapist passive or active in the session? What do you like better?
Does it seem like the therapist will be open to hearing about all your feelings, including frustrated feelings relating to them?
Did the therapist have a positive outlook on life?
Overall, how did you feel after the session (better, worse, no different)?
How comfortable did you feel with the therapist?
To what extent does this seem like a safe place to express your thoughts, concerns and feelings?
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