Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Therapist
Therapy can be very helpful on your healing journey, but finding a great therapist can feel overwhelming. Not all therapists are created equal and they often specialize in different types of traumas, problems, and healing modalities. Although the process can be frustrating, know that there is a good therapist/mental health counselor out there for everyone!
When it comes to therapy, one of the most significant factors that predict positive outcomes is the therapeutic alliance—the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the client. This bond fosters trust, understanding, and a safe environment, which create a safe space for growth and healing.
I recommend when choosing a therapist to be as selective as when you are choosing a romantic partner. You could end up having a long-term partnership with a therapist, and switching therapists is never fun or easy. Always ask them for a free 15-minute consultation so that you can meet them and ask them the hard-hitting questions.
Here are some questions and things to consider when searching for a therapist:
Questions to Ask a Therapist
#1 - What experiences do you have with my specific concern?
This is the most important question. You want to be sure you are working with someone who has dealt with the kind of issue you are seeking help with. If they haven’t dealt with your concern before, you probably want to find another person. For example, I made this mistake on my own healing journey by not asking this question. I found a therapist who had never dealt with rape survivors, and I ended up becoming retraumatized. During my next search, I became very intentional with the questions I asked and I found a therapist who was a perfect fit and helped me to heal, grow, and improve my overall well-being.
#2 - What strategies would you use for my specific issue, or how do you think the course of treatment may look for someone with my concerns?
This question gives you insight into their approach and treatment plan. Do they do inner child work? Somatic techniques? EMDR? You may not know a lot right now about these healing modalities, but ask questions and learn more about the techniques they use. If you don’t know a term mentioned, be sure to ask the person to explain it to you. If they are not willing to explain the treatment plan to you, they are likely not the right fit for you.
#3 - How do you typically structure a session? Do you take a directive or client-led approach?
Some therapists take a directive approach, which means they guide the conversation, topics, and discussion. Others take a more client-led approach where they let the client lead the conversation. If you have a preference be sure to ask the therapist how they structure each session.
#4 - How will we decide on goals and how will we evaluate progress?
Sometimes it can be hard to see the progress we’ve made, so setting clear goals upfront is a great way to ensure you are able to track your progress and are continually aligned with the therapist you are working with. By asking this question, you can find out whether their approach to goal setting and evaluating progress is a good fit for you.
#5 - What happens if I feel like therapy isn't working?
This is a great question to ask your therapist right upfront. Therapy is a collaborative process, so it can be really helpful to ask the therapist this question in an intake session, so you can broach this topic before you feel uncertain. Also, it is great to hear how this person handles setbacks so you can ensure you will feel supported throughout the whole process.
#6 - How do you handle cultural competency and diversity?
Feeling seen, understood, and supported are some of the most important factors for a successful therapy / client relationship. You want to ensure you are working with someone who understands and supports your unique experience. Ask about their experiences working with diverse populations and trust how you feel when they answer. Unfortunately, not everyone will understand you, so it’s important to find someone who you feel respects your culture, gender, and personal background.
#7 - Is everything said in my sessions confidential?
Most things said in therapy are entirely confidential. The only exceptions are usually if someone is being harmed or if you plan to harm yourself. But if this is something you worry about, ask questions and learn more about the confidentiality policy of your therapist, so you can feel comfortable disclosing information in a safe environment.
#8 - Do you accept insurance? If not, do you have a sliding scale rate?
Find out how much your session costs before starting therapy. If you have health insurance, ask if they accept your insurance. Many therapists are covered by insurance. If not, make sure to ask about sliding scale options. Many offer a range of prices for their services to make therapy more affordable for everyone.
Things to Think About Before Going into Therapy
Here are a few more things you can consider before starting therapy:
Familiarize yourself with the different treatment modalities.
You may want to spend some time researching if there is a specific treatment modality that you want to try. For example: EMDR, inner-child work, somatic work, DBT therapy, CBT therapy, art therapy, and more.
Decide what you want therapy to look like- solution focused or more long term.
Think about if you are looking for someone to help you long-term or if you are looking for a more solution driven approach and are looking for help with a specific concern and issue in a set amount of time.
If you have something that works for you, can it be incorporated and are they willing to incorporate it?
Be sure to articulate and find out if there is something that would be helpful for you on your therapy journey. Do you want to incorporate books or podcasts? Journalling? Meditation? Again, this is your process. You can lead the way.
Consider if factors like gender, culture, or inperson vs virtual are important to you.
This is your time. You get to decide who and what works best for you.
Don't feel pressured to provide all the details in an intake.
This is important. You do not need to disclose anything you are uncomfortable with in your intake or first session. This is a new person in your life, it is okay to develop trust with this person over time.
How to Evaluate Your Sessions: The Session Rating Scale
If you have a hard time conceptualizing how you felt after a session or intake. Here's a tool we recommend using after each session:
Session Rating Scale (Rate each 1-10)
Did you feel heard, understood, and respected during this session?
Did we work on or talk about what you wanted to address?
Did the therapist’s approach feel right and helpful to you?
Did this session feel like it was effective for you?
be kind and patient with yourself
Therapy is a collaborative process, so finding a good therapist and a good match for you can take time. Be kind and patient with yourself as you embark on this new journey of finding support, compassion, and a safe environment to dive deeper into your inner world. Therapy is about finding someone to help you to connect back to yourself. Remember that this is your healing journey and you get to be in the driver’s seat of the process and experience.
If you are looking for a deeper dive into this subject, we invite you listen to New View Advice Podcast episode 117: “good” vs “bad” therapy: How to find a good therapist with Katie Landrum.
This post was co-written by Amanda Durocher and Katie Landrum.
