Essential Questions to Ask New Therapist: Your Guide to Better Care

Understanding Your Therapist’s Background and Approach

Before diving into therapy, it’s essential to get a sense of your therapist’s professional background and their approach to treatment. This information can help you determine if their expertise aligns with your needs and if they have experience treating your specific concerns.

Qualifications and Experience

One of the first questions to ask a new therapist should be about their qualifications. Different mental health professionals have various credentials, and understanding these can help you make an informed choice.

Here’s a quick rundown of common mental health credentials:

Don’t hesitate to ask about their specific training, how long they’ve been practicing, and their experience treating your specific concerns. You might say, “Can you tell me about your educational background and how long you’ve been working as a therapist?”

It’s also important to inquire about their therapeutic experience with your specific concerns. For example, if you’re dealing with anxiety, you might ask, “How much experience do you have treating anxiety disorders?”

Therapeutic Approach

Another crucial set of questions to ask new therapist revolves around their therapeutic approach. There are many different types of therapy, and some may be more effective for your particular situation than others.

Some common therapeutic approaches include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Ask your therapist to explain their preferred approach and why they think it might be helpful for you.    You might say, “What type of therapy do you typically use, and how do you think it could help with my concerns?” 

Practical Considerations

While understanding your therapist’s background and approach is crucial, there are also practical matters to consider when formulating questions to ask a new therapist. These practical considerations include the therapist’s fees and insurance they accept.

Fees and Insurance

Therapy can be a significant financial investment, so it’s important to understand the cost of therapy sessions and the costs involved upfront. Ask about their fee structure and what insurance they accept. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, inquire about sliding scale options or other ways to make therapy more affordable.

Scheduling and Availability

Understanding your therapist’s availability is crucial for maintaining consistent treatment. Ask about their typical schedule and how often they recommend sessions. You might say, “How often do you typically see clients, and what’s your availability like?”

It’s also important to ask about their policies for cancellations and rescheduling. Some therapists have strict policies about missed appointments, so it’s good to know these in advance.

Treatment Goals and Progress

A key aspect of successful therapy is having clear goals and a way to measure progress. When considering questions to ask new therapist, don’t forget to inquire about how they approach goal-setting and tracking improvement.

Setting Treatment Goals

Ask your therapist how they typically work with clients to set treatment goals. You might say, “How do you typically work with clients to establish treatment goals?” This can give you insight into how collaborative their approach is and whether it aligns with your expectations.

Measuring Progress

It’s also important to understand how your therapist plans to measure progress. Ask them, “How will we know if therapy is working? How do you measure progress?” This can help set expectations and give you a sense of what successful therapy might look like.

Cultural Competence and Sensitivity

In our diverse society, it’s crucial that your therapist is culturally competent and sensitive to your unique background and experiences. This is particularly important if you’re part of a marginalized or minority group.

Asking the following questions can help you gauge a new or potential therapist’s cultural competence:

• “What experience do you have working with clients from my cultural background?”
• “How do you incorporate cultural considerations into your therapeutic approach?”
• “Have you received any specific training in cultural competence or diversity issues?” 

For LGBTQ+ clients, it can be helpful to ask if the therapist is familiar with the minority stress model, which is “the predominant framework for understanding mental health disparities among LGBTQ people.” A therapist’s familiarity with this model can indicate their comfort and experience in working with LGBTQ+ clients.

Therapy Logistics

As you consider questions to ask a new therapist, don’t forget about the practical aspects of how therapy will work.

Session Format

With the rise of teletherapy, it’s important to ask about session format options. Some therapists offer in-person therapy, online therapy, or a hybrid approach. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many conditions, so don’t hesitate to explore this option if it’s more convenient for you.

Between-Session Communication

It’s also helpful to understand how your therapist handles communication between sessions. Ask about their policies on email or phone contact, and whether they offer any kind of crisis support outside of regular session times.

Therapeutic Relationship

The relationship between you and your therapist, often called the therapeutic alliance, is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. As you think about questions to ask new therapist, consider inquiries that will help you gauge how well you might work together.

Therapist’s Style

Every therapist has their own unique style. Some are more directive, while others take a more passive approach. Ask your therapist to describe their style and how they typically interact with clients. This can help you determine if their approach feels comfortable and helpful to you.

Handling Disagreements

It’s natural for disagreements or misunderstandings to arise in therapy. Ask your therapist how they typically handle such situations. This can give you insight into their communication style and how open they are to feedback.

Medication and Collaboration

While many therapists don’t prescribe medication themselves, it’s important to understand their stance on medication and how they collaborate with other healthcare providers.

Views on Medication

Ask your therapist about their views on medication for mental health issues. While they may not be able to prescribe medication, their perspective can be valuable. You might ask, “What are your thoughts on using medication in conjunction with therapy?”

Collaboration with Other Providers

If you’re seeing other healthcare providers, it’s important to know how your therapist approaches collaboration. Ask about their experience working with psychiatrists or primary care physicians, and how they handle communication with other providers.

FAQs about questions to ask new therapist

What are good questions for a therapist to ask?

Good therapists often ask questions about your current concerns, your personal history, your relationships, and your goals for therapy. They might ask about your symptoms, coping strategies, and what you’ve tried in the past to address your concerns. Remember, therapy is a collaborative process, so feel free to ask questions too.

How do I prepare for a new therapist appointment?

To prepare for your first appointment, consider writing down your main concerns and goals for therapy. Gather any relevant medical or mental health history. Prepare a list of questions to ask your new therapist about their approach, experience, and practical matters like fees and scheduling. It’s also helpful to reflect on what you hope to achieve through therapy.

What do I say to my new therapist?

Be honest and open about your concerns, feelings, and goals. It’s okay to say you’re nervous or unsure about therapy. Share what’s brought you to therapy at this time, and what you hope to achieve. Remember, your therapist is there to help, not to judge. If you’re not sure where to start, it’s perfectly fine to say that too.

How to assess a new therapist?

Assess a new therapist by considering their qualifications, experience with your specific concerns, and their therapeutic approach. Pay attention to how comfortable you feel talking to them and whether their communication style works for you. Consider practical matters like their availability and fees. Remember, it’s okay to try a few sessions before deciding if a therapist is the right fit for you.

Have questions to ask a new therapist? Contact CCG to get started on your journey today!

Asking the right questions is an important step in your mental health journey, as they can help you understand your therapist’s background, approach, and how they might be able to help you. Remember, finding the right therapist is a bit like dating – it might take a few tries to find the perfect match. Don’t be discouraged if the first therapist you meet isn’t a good fit.

By coming prepared with these questions, you’re taking an active role in your mental health care. This proactive approach can set the stage for a productive therapeutic relationship. Remember, therapy is a collaborative process, and your therapist is there to work with you toward your goals.

As you embark on this journey, keep in mind that it’s okay to take your time in finding the right therapist. Your mental health is important, and finding a therapist who you feel comfortable with and who has the right expertise for your needs is crucial for successful therapy. Feel free to contact the counseling center Group to get started with a therapist who can support you on this path.