You want to feel that you can trust the individual you’re going to see with the very important things that matter most to you. Here are some questions you can ask that may help you finalize your choice.
What is your goal in therapy with me?
What is your approach to therapy in situations such as mine?
What type of training do you have and how long have you been practicing as a therapist?
Do you think you can help me with my situation?
How many sessions do you think we’ll need?
What’s expected of me? (For example, will there be homework assignments? Check-ins between sessions?)
What happens if something happens and I’m late or I can’t make a session?
Why did you become a therapist and what are your strengths as a therapist?
How will we be in contact between sessions? (Text, email, phone call, etc.)
If I experience significant problems in between sessions, what options do I have?
Have you ever worked with X? (X being a minority group you belong to, or the specific type of mental illness or symptom you’re struggling with)
How will you assess my progress and how will you talk with me about that?
Are counseling options such as video, phone or chat therapy available to me?
If I wanted to bring someone else to one of my sessions, would that be a problem?
Will what we discuss be confidential?
Are there any situations where confidentiality would be broken?
What will happen in the first session and how should I be prepared?
