Questions

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Does the therapist limit his or her practice to a particular type of client?
Does the therapist offer family or couples therapy if necessary?
What type of therapy does he or she use?
What type of experience, training, and license does the therapist have?
Will the therapist read your history before you go to your first session?
How long are the sessions, and how often does the therapist generally schedule sessions?
What is the therapist's fee, will the therapist accept your insurance, and how are co-payments handled? (Co-payments are the amount that you have to pay beyond the insurance payment.) You can ask the therapist about a "sliding fee scale," which means that the fee may "slide", or vary, according to your ability to pay or your monthly income.
Has the therapist ever had a license revoked or suspended; has he or she ever been disciplined by a state or professional ethics board and would he be willing to discuss it? (You can call the state licensing board to check out his or her license, credentials, and any ethical violations).
Then...
tell the therapist that you want to talk to a few other potential therapists, and that you will call back if you decide to make an appointment. Give yourself some time to think over and digest your feelings about the telephone conversations.
choose a therapist and make an appointment for an initial trial session.
Finally...
The first couple of sessions should be used to help you decide if YOU want to work together.
- The first session will be information gathering in the form of a thourough BioPsychoSocial History so that the therapist can know about you to make recommendations about what level of service is indicated.
- The next session(s) will be a time for you to figure out if you are comfortable with the therapist and if this will be a good thereputic fit.
Remember, this is a big decision; you have the right to interview potential therapists and to change your mind…more than once if necessary.