Looking for a Therapist? Here’s What to Ask
Start your search with these foundational questions and build from there.
Looking for a therapist who seems like a good fit can be a daunting process. And there’s nothing more frustrating — both for you and the therapist — to end an otherwise promising consultation call only to find out that one of the issues below makes it hard or impossible for the two of you to work together.
If you’ve found a therapist through a listing site, be sure to click the link for that therapist’s website if that’s available. The website might provide you with much of the information below, but it’s also good to verify that information with the therapist when you talk to them. The website may also provide you with the therapist’s contact information, credentials, therapeutic approach, services provided, education, and experience, any of which may generate thoughtful questions from you when you speak with the therapist.
Availability: As a therapist, I’ve learned the hard way to discuss availability at the top of a consultation call. If I only have Monday mornings available, and that’s when you lead a weekly team meeting or are wrangling 5-year-olds in a kindergarten class (or whatever might interfere), it doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend too much more time talking. If you, as a client, don’t have much flexibility and the therapist doesn’t ask you about scheduling, make sure you take that initiative. If incompatible schedules are an issue, the therapist on the phone may be your best bet for a referral. If you’ve called me and I can’t see you, I will always offer to help you find someone else.
Cost: You should never get off the phone with a therapist without finding out how much they charge for a session. If their fee is too high for you, ask if they offer a sliding scale fee. (Know that many therapists who have a sliding scale do so for a finite amount of slots per week, so may not have any sliding scale slots available when you call).
Insurance: If you’re new to the therapist hunt, you’ll quickly find out that many therapists don’t take insurance (the reasons for this will be explored in a future article), and the ones who do are often a full capacity. However, if you can pay part of the fee, check in with your insurance provider to find out what percentage of a fee they will reimburse for out-of-network providers. Then confirm with the therapist on your consult call that they can provide you with the necessary documentation for you to get that reimbursement.
Location: Location has, for many, become less of an issue due to the pandemic’s pushing everyone into teletherapy. However, if you or your potential therapist wish to and can meet in person, be sure to include travel and/or parking into the total allotment of time you put aside for this endeavor.
Frequency: Similarly, be sure to ask your potential therapist how often they typically see clients. I ask new clients to devote a minimum of once per week to therapy, and I will explain to them why that is. I understand that some clients want to start out with less frequency, every other week being a somewhat common request. That’s fine, and there are many therapists who will do that. So be sure both of you are clear on that expectation.
There obviously may be other questions you’ll have for a therapist, but getting these foundational questions answered first can help lead you to the therapist who’s going to be the right one for you.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a mental health professional.