On numerous occasions, finding the right therapist has been compared to finding the right spouse. It involves a lot of energy, time, and money in the hope that one day you will get the help that you need. Instead of meeting up for drinks or dinner, you will be sharing your deepest thoughts to a therapist trying to figure out if the information scribbled in their notebook will help or not. It’s important to know what you want in a therapist lest your treatment gets delayed by months or years.
You might also want to gauge if your potential therapist is your best fit to make the entire treatment easier and more comfortable. You don’t want panic and anxiety attacks that make your therapy sessions uncomfortable. We will outline some useful questions to ask your potential counselor before choosing them.
What kind of training do you have?
The education background of therapists tends to differ due to their area of specialization. They could be psychiatrists, general counselors or psychologists. All these experts provide therapy despite their areas of training being different. If you are looking to recover from addiction, you should inquire more if the therapist is well trained to deal with addicts. Dig deeper to see if they understand your type of substance dependency.
Are you licensed?
Licensing is vital in proving the credibility of most professionals, primarily in the health and medical fields. Therapists are not any different. They are required to be licensed by the state or at least work under the supervision of a licensed therapist. While all states have different policies regarding licensure, being licensed proves that your potential therapist has what it takes to practice therapy.
How many years have you been practicing therapy?
Experience is paramount in determining the quality of service you should expect from the therapist. Ask your therapist how many years they have been seeing clients and how many got the help they needed. This should help you gauge their success rates. You could ask your therapist to give you a few clientele references, although in most cases such information is confidential. However, try your shot to listen to live testimonies from the horse’s mouth. You could ask them to give you their experience in your area of interest.
What are your charges?
Like any other treatments, therapy requires a mode of payment. It is essential to know from the start how much your therapist will charge you. Most therapists work on a pay-per-session basis, but you could discuss how they like their payments wired. You may also want to ask if they accept insurance and of what kind. Therapy sessions can be quite expensive, and that’s why some therapists offer sliding scales. A sliding scale is a special offer that requires the therapist to look into a client’s income to set the charges. If you are having trouble affording the sessions, inquire from the therapist if they are flexible to such kinds of arrangements.
What sort of treatments do you use? Are they effective in dealing with situations like mine?
People are different, and their beliefs may vary. It’s important to know what you are getting yourself into. For instance, some therapists incorporate spirituality as a mode of treatment. Spirituality is quite a sensitive matter, at least to most people. Consider asking how the therapist plans on treating your condition and how effective it should be. This will help you know what to expect from the treatment and even help you research on the effectiveness of the therapist’s plans on you.
Will the treatment process be time-limited or long-term?
While it could be a bit difficult to determine how long the treatment process will take, your therapist should give you an estimate depending on their past experiences. This should help you plan ahead your schedules and financial plans. Also, ask them to disclose if your therapy sessions will be on-going or if they will end immediately, your symptoms decrease to a specific point.
When are you ready to see me for our first appointment?
The sooner you begin your therapy sessions, the sooner you will start to feel better and even resume regular duties. The readiness in a therapist should tell what to expect from the therapy sessions. If you feel that you related well with the therapist, then you have found a new friend.
Are you looking for a therapist near you? Talk to us today at 844-639-8371 to start your therapy sessions immediately and regain the stability you need to get your life back on track.