Questions to consider to get a sense of whether the provider is right for you:
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What brings you to therapy? Give the provider as much detail as you can about what you want to accomplish through therapy.
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Once you’ve discussed what brings you to therapy, ask your therapist if they have experience supporting people in similar situations. If so, how did they do that? Does their answer give you confidence in their ability to help you?
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How do you feel? A bit of discomfort during the first call doesn’t mean your therapist is a bad fit, but take note of whether or not you feel comfortable with the therapist’s communication style, overall.
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It's important to note that this lack of ‘fit’ or compatibility has nothing to do with you as a client. Successful therapy stems from a strong relationship between you and your therapist - if they aren’t confident in their ability to help you, that relationship can’t strengthen!
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- What will our sessions typically look like? The answer will give you a sense of the therapist’s style and how they’re thinking about the issue you’d like to work on.
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It’s a good sign if the therapist can speak directly to the goals you’ve mentioned so far and demonstrates that they’re actively thinking about the next steps.
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- What’s next? If the conversation goes well and you’d like to schedule your first session, ask these questions before ending the call:
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Do I need to fill out any forms before our first session?
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If paying out of pocket, will I need to pay after the end of each session?
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If using insurance, how will I submit my insurance information and claims?
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What is the cancellation policy? What if I need to reschedule our session?
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How should I get in touch with you moving forward? Do you prefer phone or email?
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