7 Questions To Ask A Therapist Before Beginning Therapy
Though mental health awareness is on the rise, it remains a taboo subject. Many people with mental health disorders choose to suffer in silence, instead of reaching out to a loved one for help. Unaddressed mental health problems can snowball into major concerns.
If you are struggling with mental health issues, it’s time to look for an experienced therapist. Remember, all therapists are not created equal. Just because a friend or family member sees a particular therapist and is seeing positive results, does not mean that they’re the right provider for you.
When choosing a therapist, consider your needs. Check the qualifications and track record of the therapists you are considering. Study their fee structure and payment models. Investigate whether you will find better suited therapists for you in private pay models.
After you have narrowed down your list, ask your potential therapists the following questions to gauge their expertise and skill level. These questions can be asked during a phone interview or an in-person interview.
Can I Call You In Between Sessions?
If you think you will need to call, email or text your therapist between sessions, ask them to explain their communication policy. Some therapists only allow contact in case of emergency. If this is the case, ask them what they consider an emergency.
Some therapists may read messages and emails but do not call back their clients, while others reply or call their clients back. Once you understand the therapist’s policy for contact in between sessions, you will be able to determine if you both are a good fit for each other.
What Type of Therapy Do You Offer?
Therapists specialize in a particular type of therapy such as EMDR, CBT, Psychodynamic or Family Systems. Therapists specializing in different therapies use different methods and may have different beliefs about how change occurs.
Choose a therapist who specializes in the type of therapy proven to treat the mental health problem you are experiencing. For example, if you suffer from trauma, you will want to choose a therapist who specializes in EMDR as several studies have proven its effectiveness for the treatment of trauma.
Ask your therapist what will happen during a typical session and if you will be assigned homework.
Do You Have Experience Handling Cases Similar to Mine?
Therapists specialize in specific areas. If you are traumatized, you would want to see a therapist who has experience treating traumatized individuals.
If a therapist does not specialize in the type of therapy you need, request them to provide references.
Whether you want to give trauma counseling in the Bay area a try, or you are needing other mental health support, there is a licensed therapist at Calm Again Counseling that is sure to be the perfect fit for you.
What Type of Formats Do You Offer for Therapy? Virtual or In-Person? Or Both?
Assess your needs and preferences and determine if you are looking for a virtual therapist or one who can meet for in-person sessions.
At Calm Again Counseling, we offer both in-person and virtual sessions. Some clinicians in our practice offer both in-person and virtual, while others provide one or the other.
You may decide that you prefer one format over the other, but want the flexibility to switch if needed. Speaking with the intake coordinator during consultation will help you to get matched with a clinician that offers flexibility.
How Many Times a Week Will We Meet? And for How Many Weeks?
Therapists will usually determine how frequent your sessions will be in the first session. However, some therapists have limited availability and schedules, making it difficult to see you more than once a week.
Establishing expectations in the beginning based on your needs will help you to find a therapist that can meet them. Be vocal about your desired level of support in your consultation to get matched with the right therapist for you.
In terms of length of treatment, at Calm Again Counseling, we cannot say how long the process will take, only estimate. Time-dependent treatment often centers around court-mandated treatment. In private practice, length of treatment is dependent on the progress you make towards your therapeutic goals, which varies client to client.
What is your licensure?
Therapists can range from graduate student trainees, to associate therapists, to licensed therapists. Until a therapist is licensed, they work under the supervision of a licensed therapist. A therapist can be licensed as a Social Worker, a Professional Clinical Counselor, or a Marriage & Family Therapist. All can work with families, couples, and individuals.
At Calm Again Counseling, we have both Associate Therapists and Licensed Therapists. Take a look at our team to get to know us more.
What is the difference between what you and a psychologist or psychiatrist does?
A therapist is a Master’s level mental health clinician who diagnoses and develops a treatment plan with their client. There are many different therapeutic modalities that therapist’s use, such as CBT, EMDR, trauma therapy, anxiety therapy, and many more to help the client achieve their therapeutic goals. Therapists can work in private offices, hospitals, treatment programs, in schools, and other places they are needed in the community.
A psychologist is a Doctoral level mental health clinician that can have PhD or PsyD. They can see clients, work as faculty and professors, work in treatment facilities, in private offices, and everywhere else that a therapist can work. Psychologists also use similar therapeutic modalities as therapists. Psychologists may conduct research in their specialized field.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has graduated from medical school. Psychiatrists diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication to people with pervasive mental health issues. Often psychiatrists will work in tandem with psychologists and therapists to develop a holistic treatment plan for the client.
At Calm Again Counseling, our team of dedicated mental health specialists use tried and tested methods that address the root cause of mental health issues. To make an appointment with one of our licensed therapists, call (415) 480-5192.