Here’s what to ask a potential therapist

Make the most of your consultation with these 15 questions.

By Vivian Nunez

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We know we aren’t the first to tell you that therapy is like dating. You’re possibly introducing yourself to a handful of potential therapists, hoping one is your perfect match. However, where texts before a first date may come easy to you, figuring out what kinds of questions to ask a therapist during a therapy consultation may not be second nature. It’s okay - this is new territory for many people; you aren’t the only one!

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Everyone’s journey to finding the right therapist is unique, but we pulled together a handful of questions to help you narrow your options. Maybe they’ll even help you figure out whether scheduling a first appointment with a specific therapist is right for you or more about what to look for in a therapist.

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Here are 15 questions to consider asking during an initial therapy consultation that can help you get to know a therapist before you even start.

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Questions about logistics

Logistics aren’t always the most fun part of a conversation, but they help set expectations. Getting this topic out of the way early in your therapy consultation can also help you weed out therapists who may not fit your schedule or preferred meeting style.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Are you open to virtual, in-office sessions, or both?
• Is there a minimum number of visits per month?
• What do I do if I need to cancel a session?
• How long are the sessions?
• What if I need more support than expected?

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Questions about your potential therapist’s style

With a therapist, you’re sort of dating to marry. You want to make sure you both are a match, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about their past patients, current treatment styles, or future goals. Ethically, therapists can’t divulge intimate details about past patients, but they may be able to let you in on the kinds of conditions or life transitions they’ve helped others through.

Here are some questions to ask:

• What struggles or mental health conditions have you helped your patients through?
• How do you like to lead your sessions?
• What kind of therapy do you practice? (If you need more insight on the different types of therapy, read more about them here.)
• How many years have you been a practicing therapist?
• Do you go to therapy?

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Questions about what to expect in future sessions

Once you’ve laid the groundwork and understand the therapist’s style and general practice, you can dive into the future more. Pepper in questions about what you can expect in a first session, what you can do in between future sessions, or even what milestones will help you understand if therapy is working for you.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Can you walk me through a typical first session?
• Will I need to complete homework in between sessions?
• Can I text or email you between sessions if I need extra support?
• How will we know therapy is working for me?
• Are there any questions you want to ask me?

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These aren’t the end all be all of the questions to ask a therapist before scheduling your first session, but they can get the ball rolling. The most important thing to remember is that you want to match up with someone you feel you can confide in and who will help guide you through whatever you are navigating. Committing to therapy is a deeply personal journey; you should feel proud of yourself for each step you take! Once you get started with your therapy sessions and are wondering if your therapist is a good match, here are six good signs to look out for.

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Calm Health is not intended to diagnose or treat depression, anxiety, or any other mental or physical health condition. The use of Calm Health is not a substitute for care by a physician or other health care provider. Any questions that you may have regarding the diagnosis, care, or treatment of a health condition should be directed to your physician or health care provider. Calm Health is a mental wellness product.