19 Questions to Ask Your Therapist Before Your First Session
Before you meet, your therapist is going to have lots of questions for you. But, you have the right to take control of your own healing and therapy experience. You are not just along for the ride of whatever a therapist brings to the table. You have the ability to ensure that you are choosing a therapist that aligns with you, your worldview, and what you want for your future.
To help you get a better idea of if they are a strong match for you, it can be important to ask questions right back to your therapist. But, I also know that it can be super hard to know if you are asking the right questions or what questions to even ask, especially if this is your first time ever even chatting with a therapist. So, I have compiled a list of some helpful questions you could ask your therapist through email or on your short initial call to help you gain a better understanding of if you are a good match for one another.
Can you describe your relationship with your clients?
What can I expect from a session with you?
What is your therapeutic perspective?
Have you worked with clients with my gender or sexual identity before?
Have you worked with clients of my race or ethnicity before?
Do you receive supervision or consultation?
Do you assign homework?
Do you have a sliding fee scale?
Will I have access to you between sessions?
What is your cancellation policy?
How do you track client progress?
Have you worked with clients with my diagnosis or presenting problems before?
How often will we meet?
How long are your sessions?
How do you develop counseling goals?
What is your general approach to helping?
Have you ever been or are you in therapy yourself?
What is your outlook on medication?
What are your strengths as a therapist?
Allow this list to be a jumping off point. Take what you need and leave the rest. Decide what feels important to you and make sure you are getting your needs and expectations met by your therapist in those areas.
If you are looking for a therapist in the state of Georgia or the Atlanta area please don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.
