If you're considering therapy for the first time, you likely have a lot of questions about how the process will work. Directing these questions to your therapist is completely normal and highly recommended — they should be more than willing to answer your questions about logistics, boundaries, and everything in between.
If you think of questions during your search for a therapist or before your first session, it may be beneficial to write them down so you feel equipped when you visit your therapist. If you're unsure what to ask, here are some questions that may be helpful:
Logistics
If your therapist is in the SonderMind network, all of the logistics questions regarding licensing and availability will be answered prior to your first appointment. If your therapist is outside of the SonderMind network, here are a few questions that will help you find a suitable therapist:
- Are you licensed?
- What is your availability?
- Do you have a cancellation policy?
- How much do you charge per session? Do you have sliding-scale options?
- Do you accept my insurance?
- What is your specialty or area of expertise?
Determining if This Therapist is Right for You
- How long have you been practicing?
- Have you helped people with the same mental health challenges as me?
- What is your approach to therapy? Are you more directive or more guiding?
- What do you think your strengths are as a therapist and how would those strengths apply to my mental health condition?
- Do you give your patients homework? If so, what type of assignments do you commonly give?
- How should I communicate with you outside of sessions (phone, email, etc.)?
Setting Boundaries and Expectations
- If therapy is not working for me, will you be willing to acknowledge that and suggest alternative solutions?
- Would you be willing to recommend other local professionals that could help me if that discussion arises?
- Does everything I say to you stay in between you and me? Is there any exceptions to this rule?
- How often would you like to meet with me, and for how long?
- How are you going to assess my progress?
- How quickly do you think I will start noticing my own progress?
- What type of boundaries would you like to set?
These questions are just a general guide, but any other questions that come to your mind before or during your therapy sessions are valid and worth asking. The more questions you ask your therapist, the easier it will be to determine if your therapist is the right fit for you.
