Questions to Ask Your Therapist in Your First Session
What do I ask my future therapist?
Going to therapy for the first time can feel different than going to your doctor or dentist. In other words, you usually tell your therapist things that you don’t usually reveal to your dentist or doctor. What’s important is that you feel comfortable, safe, and supported. To see if therapy or a certain therapist are a fit for you, here’s a list of questions you can ask during your first session:
If you know what you want to talk about, but unsure if the therapy style is the right fit:
Can you tell me about your approach to therapy?
What can I expect in terms of the structure of our sessions?
Are there any homework assignments or activities you typically assign between sessions?
How can therapy help me with my specific challenges?
How will we measure progress or success in therapy?
If you want to learn more about the therapist:
What experience or training do you have in treating the issues I’m dealing with?
How do you handle emergencies or crises outside of regular sessions?
What are your expectations of me as a client?
What inspired you to become a therapist?
How do you incorporate your own values and beliefs into your therapeutic work?
What trainings or specializations do you have experience with and/or have obtained?
If you don’t know where to start:
Can you tell me about the types of issues or concerns that people typically bring to therapy?
Can you help me understand what might be contributing to my current feelings or difficulties?
Are there any assessments or exercises we can do to explore my thoughts and feelings further?
What are some common goals that clients typically have when starting therapy?
Can you share some examples of strategies or coping skills that have been helpful for other clients?
How can we work together to identify patterns or themes in my experiences that might be impacting me?
If you want to learn more about pricing or other legalities:
What are your fees and do you accept insurance?
If you do not accept insurance, why is that?
Do you offer a sliding scale or other options for clients with financial constraints?
What confidentiality and privacy policies do you have in place?
Can you explain the informed consent process and what it means for me?
Can you explain your cancellation policy and any fees associated with missed appointments?
Are there any additional costs I should be aware of, such as assessments or materials?
How do you handle payment, and what forms of payment do you accept?
Do you offer free consult calls before booking an appointment?
These questions can help you get a sense of your therapist's approach, establish expectations, and ensure that you feel comfortable and informed as you embark on this journey. Remember, therapy is a collaborative process, so if any questions come to mind during the session, you should feel comfortable to bring up these questions or concerns at any point.
If you have questions regarding therapy or a specific therapeutic approach, you can always schedule a free, 15-minute consult call with one of our therapists. To learn more about therapy and other topics that may come up in therapy, check out our blogs below!
