Questions to Ask a West Seattle Therapist
Questions to Ask a West Seattle Therapist
Alana Jaeck, Therapist West Seattle, Specializing in Brainspotting, Life Transitions, Grief, and Relationship Issues
So you’ve spent some time searching for a therapist in West Seattle. You found a few you’re interested in and you’re not sure how to choose. They all mention doing a consultation but you’re not really sure what that entails. How does this work? What are you supposed to say? What questions should you ask? I know that interviewing therapists is often a bit intimidating, especially if this is your first time seeking counseling. On top of feeling nervous, you also likely feel pressure to make the most of the 15 minutes so you can find out if they are the right therapist for you. While it’s normal to feel somewhat anxious, I want to help you prepare for your consult call so that you can effectively use the time to decide if this is a therapist you actually want to work with. At the beginning of the call, the therapist will probably ask you to briefly share what’s going on in your life that prompted you to seek help and what you are hoping to get out of therapy. (This information will help the therapist determine whether they are qualified to help you, and if not, help you find someone who is.) Then you will have the opportunity to ask the therapist your questions. Below are some ideas of what to ask the therapist in order to help you make an informed decision.
Questions to ask a therapist in West Seattle
What are your qualifications/experience and are you licensed in my state?
How much knowledge or experience do you have working with people who have similar concerns or issues, and/or who share my identities?
What can I expect our therapy sessions to be like? What approach or modality do you use?
How will I know if therapy is working and/or how will we assess my progress?
What if therapy isn’t working?
Is therapy offered in-person or online?
What are the fees/payment options and can I use my insurance?
Anything else you want to know that will help you know whether or not this is the right person to help you – there are no wrong questions to ask!
And maybe the most important question is one for you, not for the therapist – How did you feel when you were talking to the therapist on the phone?
Don’t hesitate to interview a few different therapists until you find someone who seems to be a good fit for you. If you’ve found several qualified therapists and are still having trouble deciding, then just follow your gut.
Try a free consultation with a therapist in West Seattle
I hope this helps give you some ideas of questions to ask a therapist in West Seattle. If you’re still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (646) 543-7878, or contact me here, for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to talk with you about what is going on and who might be the right person to help. If I’m not the right person, I will do my best to point you in the right direction. If you are looking for help with life transitions, anxiety, grief, or relationship issues you can read more about how I can help here.