Questions to Ask Your Therapist Before Starting Counseling

Prepare for your first therapy session by asking the right questions. Empower yourself in starting your mental health journey. Your well-being matters.

Before embarking on your therapeutic journey, it’s essential to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the process and feel comfortable with your therapist. Asking the right questions can help you establish a strong foundation for your therapy and build a trusting relationship with your therapist. Remember, therapy is a collaborative effort, and your questions play a vital role in shaping your experience. Here are some key questions to consider asking your therapist before starting therapy:

What is your experience and specialization in treating mental health issues?

Not every therapist will be a specialist in every mental health issue. In fact, a good therapist should be specialized in a handful of health issues. They may be willing to branch out, or may have experience in something not listed in their bio, so it’s a good idea to ask.

What therapeutic approach or techniques do you typically use?

Depending on the college your therapist went to and how they continued their education afterwards, therapists will specialize in a handful of therapeutic approaches. Do some research on different therapeutic strategies before you agree to an appointment with them so you know what technique will be the best fit for you. For example, do you like the practical approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Or do you want to address childhood trauma, like Psychoanalytic therapy can help? Do you prefer Emotion-Focused therapy or one that’s focused on your strengths and abilities, like Strengths-Based therapy?

How do you handle confidentiality and privacy?

All therapists must comply with HIPAA standards for privacy and confidentiality. This means they will not share any of your information unless you are at risk to yourself or others. If you are doing virtual therapy, make sure you ask if the video platform is HIPAA compliant.

What are your expectations from me as a client?

Some therapists prefer to pair with clients who are willing to commit to many months, even years, of therapy. Some are about providing immediate relief and coping skills. Knowing what they expect from you will help you both be on the same page as your treatment progresses.

How will we track progress and set goals during our sessions?

Most therapists will help you set some sort of goals during sessions, even if they’re vague like “address social anxiety”. These goals can be broken into smaller goals such as “go somewhere new” or “converse with a stranger” to mark smaller milestones on your journey towards recovery. If they don’t set distinct goals, ask yourself if that’s okay with you, or if you’d rather have a therapist who is more goal-oriented.