Therapy 102: 12 Questions to Ask A Potential Therapist

Starting any new relationship can be a little nerve-wracking. Choosing a therapist is no different! But like all important decisions, asking questions beforehand will help you gain a better understanding of what this relationship would look like. 

All therapists should offer a free consultation to give you a chance to ask questions and see if it would be a good fit. But, before you get into it, there is one question you should ask that, depending on the answer, may save you some time, effort, and energy:

“Are you accepting new clients at this time?”

If the answer is no, then you can ask them for recommendations based on the parameters that got you to contact them. If the answer is yes, then feel free to ask some or all of these questions:

1. What are your credentials/education level?

   Check out our last blog post to see what the differences are in credentials. They should be forthcoming with this, but it’s good to ask to get the ball rolling.

2. Are you licensed in this state?

   There are legal and ethical implications in this answer so the best way to move forward is if they say yes.

3. Can you explain your therapeutic approach to me?

   This is a great question to ask because it helps you learn a couple things:

   • If their approach resonates with you and aligns with your belief system

   • If you feel comfortable questioning your care and their reasoning. Therapists should be able to patiently explain concepts and points without making you feel uncomfortable or ashamed for not understanding.

4. What is your philosophy around medication?

   Medication is a very subjective topic in mental health. Generally, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners are the only mental health professionals that can directly prescribe medication. Other mental health professionals have the educational background and training to recommend medications. Understanding where your prospective therapist stands on this subject will help you understand their recommendations as you move forward.

5. What type of cultural competency training have you completed?

   Feel free to ask about any specifics including their experiences with specific populations. You want to make sure that you will be treated by someone who not only understands the cultural implications of your identities but also how to adjust their approach to ensure their space is a comfortable setting for you.

   Reminder: Not everyone who presents as a certain identity is aligned with your assumptions of that population.

6. How does payment work?

   • If they are sliding scale, ask them what their qualifications are for that option.

   • If they take insurance, ask them about who would be dealing with your insurance, them or you.

   • Know what type of payments they accept.

7. What does a typical appointment look like?

   Usually appointments last around 45 minutes. Pricing varies depending on the amount of time in a session.

8. Do I have to talk about things I do not want to?

   Again, you should feel safe and comfortable in a therapy session but there may be times when a therapist pushes you in a way that may feel challenging. While keeping that in mind, you shouldn’t ever feel unsafe in a session, so asking this question may help you better understand what would happen if a situation like that comes up.

9. What is your policy around contacting one another?

   This varies across individuals and situations. Some therapists may make themselves available to you outside of business hours. Others may direct you to a crisis line or an on-call staff member. It depends. Just make sure boundaries are clear.

10. Are you willing to communicate with my other providers to coordinate care?

    Depending on your diagnosis or symptoms, it may be helpful for your therapist to speak with your other providers. Make sure you know of any additional costs/responsibilities you have if that is necessary.

11. How is scheduling handled?

    Some people can just text their therapist the next time they want to meet. Other situations like a cooperative practice or community mental health center may require formal appointment scheduling with a receptionist or online form. You also want to make sure you know what the cancellation policy is. Again, this can vary for providers. Some don’t charge you at all while others may still charge you the full amount.

12. What is your policy on confidentiality?

    While mental health professionals are held to a certain universal standard of confidentiality, certain practices and individuals have additional considerations you may want to be mindful of. Sometimes other staff members sit in on sessions or have access to your files. Get clear information on how these processes ensure your confidentiality.

All of these questions are asking for information a prospective therapist should be forthcoming about, so don’t be afraid to ask if they don’t initially bring it up. Your mental health is not something to be taken lightly. Advocating for yourself is a great way to show how important this process is for you. 

Thanks for getting A Little Mental with me!