What Are Good Interview Questions To Ask My New Therapist?

Most people go to therapists hoping that the therapist will be a right fit for them. They might get in there, really like the therapists personality, feel that it is the right fit, and then leave the office feeling that they got nothing out of the session. Many people see the therapist as someone who they should not question. Perhaps they have in their mindset that you should not question authority. I would recommend that people go into therapy with an open mind and willing to try different things the therapist is suggesting. However, if they try techniques and it does not seem to work, it is important to give the therapist a map, so to speak, about what feels right for you. I would suggest not being afraid to ask a really quiet therapist to talk more or to ask a really talkative therapist to listen more. If it still isn’t a fit, it might be time to find a new therapist that feels right to you.
A few questions you may want to ask a prospective therapist: (by the way, there are no “right” answers”, just answers that might fit what you are looking for more than other answers).

Questions to ask a therapist:
1. How much do you know about my problems? (ADHD, trauma, relationship issues?)
All therapists have been to school and have an understanding of how to treat various issues. There is a difference between having some training and putting that training into practice with other clients? You want to make sure that you aren’t the first client that this therapist is treating with your issue.

2. What is your therapy style (interactive, passive)?
Many clients come in and tell me that they went to a therapist and all that therapist did is nod their head and say “ah huh” every once in a while. Most people tell me that they want something more than this. It is important to tell your therapist how interactive or passive you want them to be so that they can meet your needs. This may be an ongoing process so that you can train your therapist to fit your needs. If you tell your therapist your preference and they continue to be too passive or too aggressive, then it would be beneficial to start looking for a new therapist.

3. Do you treat issues by looking into the past (childhood issues) or by looking at the problems now and fixing them without delving into the past?
I have clients come in for session basically wanting to get to the point. The reason they usually come in for they want dealt with ASAP. Sometimes it is as simple as looking at the problem and changing perspective, or learning assertiveness skills, different communication styles, and/or finding ways to implement positive changes in their life. Sometimes, there is a wall that people face and cannot get passed. It is at that time I think it is important to look at patterns and at the persons past (whether it is their childhood, or more recent past) to find where the blockage is so that it can be cleared.

4. What is your view on medication?
It is important for you to know if your therapist will encourage (or push) medication or if they are supportive about what you want. Medication can definitely be helpful in many different situations, and can work beautifully when combined with therapy. That being said, medication comes with side effects and only you can determine if the risks are worth the possible rewards. If a therapist encourages you to get evaluated for medication, they are doing their job as a caring professional; if a therapist pushes you to get medication, it might be time for you to decide if they have your best interest at heart.

5. Does the therapist offer a free phone consultation so that I can check them out?
Some therapists provide a 10-15 minute phone consultation for free so that you can ask questions and see if you feel a connection with the therapist without having a financial obligation. Ask your therapist if they offer any type of free consultation.

One last note: When you call a therapist, don’t just make an appointment with them. Interview them (use the questions above as a guide) so that you don’t waste your time going into a session with someone who you will feel uncomfortable with.

I hope this helps. If you are looking for an individual therapist or couples therapist in Long Beach, please give me a call to ask me some of these questions.