What Do I Ask a Counselor Before I Start?

Most surveys show that only about half of Americans who have received a diagnosis of major depression in the last 12 months ever get treatment for it. Many people that would benefit from counseling never work up the courage to see a therapist. Most folks do not know what to ask a counselor before counseling starts.

There are countless reasons for that mind-boggling number, among them costs, availability, and access, but one thing doesn’t help: Good therapists are witnessing an anxiety-inducing and challenging process.

To minimize that risk, find out in advance whether a therapist’s professional style and approach will be a good fit for your specific needs before you lie down on the couch for your first full session. Look at it as if you are buying a new car or a new house; you do your research. The more you know, the more relaxed you’ll feel in therapy, and the more likely you’ll be to stick with it.

Most therapists provide a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation (or at the very least charge a reduced fee) so that you can share a bit about your goals and ask questions. Here are the critical questions to ask before making an appointment.

Questions to Consider Asking a Potential Therapist

It’s not easy to discuss costs or a doctor’s qualifications, but both of those things can make a huge difference in your ability to keep on with and have confidence in treatment.

Additionally, any good therapist will be happy to negotiate prices, insurance, and other logistical details openly. After all, if a person is stressing about payments, they are only making your problems worse.

• How many years have you been practicing?

• What professional licenses and certifications do you have, and are you a member of any professional organizations?

• How much does it cost? What is your sliding-scale payment options?

• How many people like me have you worked with? When was the last time that you were with someone like me?

• Can you explain your perfect therapy patient?

Is this Therapist a Good Fit?

You need to find a therapist who jibes with your personality. If you’re anxious about initiating therapy, maybe a more guided approach toward your objectives is better.

Or, if you are a therapy veteran, a more direct approach is the one for you. And don’t be afraid to ask a prospective therapist about their own experience with therapy — a good one believes in the treatment they practice and knows what it’s like to be the person on the couch.

• What are some of your gifts, and what are some of the things that you need to work on as a helper?

• How do you generally think about and approach the process of helping? Do you take the lead or follow in the background?

• Have you ever been in therapy? How recently?

• How often do you consult with peers?

Setting Goals for Therapy

Congratulations! You’ve made it over the first hurdle — reaching out for help. That’s huge, and you deserve a round of applause for yourself. Now, you need to write down some goals to discuss with your future therapist so you can overcome those hurdles in the years to come. By setting goals, you can improve the time you spend in therapy and give yourself a clear path toward success. Ask the therapists you are speaking with and consider hiring as your therapist the following questions:

• How many times would I need to see you? For how long?

• So, how do you establish counseling goals? What are they like? What is success for you?

• What’s a session like? How long are the sessions?

• What do you assign as homework or readings to patients?

• What do I need to do for my first session?