When hiring a plumber or electrician, many of us will telephone at least a couple of providers and get answers to several questions, such as: What should it cost? How many years have you been in business? When are you available? Which payment options do you allow? And so on… In some cases people may even check with a consumer-advocacy website, along the lines of the one provided by the Better Business Bureau, to find if any sort of complaints have been filed regarding the contractor.
When needing a doctor or medical specialist, most people will ask other professionals, friends, and family members for referrals. Even after that, as often as not, individuals will visit two or more medical specialists to confirm they’ve obtained that all-important “second opinion.”
Regretably, when searching for a mental health provider, much too often it seems individuals just phone the first therapist they locate and book an appointment. No verifying qualifications… No searching for complaints… No questions… Nothing to it!
However, an effective therapist will ask you quite a few questions, and quite a few of these will likely be personal in nature. Some of these questions will be on forms the therapist requires you to submit prior to the first visit. They will then ask you other questions during your first session, and more and more in subsequent sessions.
The rapport, relationship, and trust established between a therapist and a client is probably the single most important contributor to effective therapy. In order for therapy to be successful, you must be honest and genuine about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Your therapist will mirror whatever they are hearing and seeing to make sure you’re recognized, understood, and valued. This back-and-forth exchange that will allow your therapist to learn how best to help you and guide the course of your therapy.
Why You Need to Interview Your Therapist
I know anytime we’re suffering significantly, we usually have difficulty thinking clearly. And it may be challenging to know what questions to ask a prospective mental health professional in a first “interview.” But, your questions are necessary.
Accordingly, prior to contacting some therapists to schedule some appointments, devote some time to considering the concerns that mean the most for you. For example:
- Do you want to work with a mental health professional who focuses on helping people with similar problems and issues to those you’re dealing with?
- Does a therapist’s cultural background, religion, race, or marital status matter?
- Does it matter whether or not the therapist you work with has raised children?
- Would you feel more at ease dealing with a therapist of the same sex?
- What distance are you prepared to travel for therapy?
- What hours are you available to commit to therapy sessions?
Considering the fact that rapport and trust are so vital for effective psychotherapy, the vast majority of therapists will do whatever they can to help make their clients feel at ease. For that reason, nearly all therapists are open to being asked many types of questions connected with their education, professional training, credentials, as well as the healing techniques they use.
Having said that, many therapists won’t answer questions about their personal lives or extend clients their beliefs about concerns such as politics, religion, etc., so their clients may express themselves as honestly as possible over the course of therapy without having to worry about what the therapist thinks.
There are lots of additional questions to ask a potential therapist, some of the more important include:
- Which age groups do you treat?
- How long is a standard session?
- How frequently will we need to meet?
- How long might treatment require?
- What treatment approaches do you use to help clients recover?
- Is there a professional I can contact if a crisis occurs and you’re not available?
- Are there any limits on confidentiality?
You don’t have to ask all of these questions prior to, or even during, your first session, but do ask them. This kind of interview strategy will do more than simply provide you information. It will give you a feel for the therapist, how they communicate with you, and the likelihood you and the therapist can build a healthy working relationship.
Remember, the mental health professional is in business to help you. Most of us have been aquainted with people we’d prefer not work with. Ask good questions, and make sure your therapist isn’t one of them… After all, this is about your future success and happiness!
