8 Questions to Ask Your Therapist

Written by: Emily Beck

August 11, 2023

The first therapy session can be scary. Not only are you being asked a lot of very

personal questions, but you are also trying to figure out if you feel comfortable sharing

anything with this person. Asking for help is a big deal, and can take a lot of courage, which can

add to the anxiety of the initial session. Like any other appointment, be it a doctor’s

appointment, meeting a realtor, or even getting a haircut, having some questions ready to go

can help to rtake away some of the anxiety of that first session.

Wait, so it’s ok to ask my therapist questions?

1000% yes! Therapists expect clients to have questions about therapy when they come to a

session, especially if this is their first time in therapy. Please come armed with as many

questions as you like if this helps you to feel more comfortable. When it comes to personal

questions, some therapists are willing to answer, and some are not. A therapist will tell you if

they don’t feel comfortable answering a question, and you can always feel free to do the same.

We encourage you to look at your therapist’s website before your first session. This can help

you to know if they usually work with your specific needs. Be honest and up front about what

you are looking for when scheduling the appointment. Even after doing research, there are still

often questions that need to be asked in person.

Try starting with these:

1) How do I set or change my therapy goals?

Every therapist will have a treatment plan for each client, which outlines their goals for

therapy. Some therapists review them as often as every 90 days. This is an important

question to ask your therapist.

2) What is your cancellation policy?

Many therapists, like doctors’ offices, charge a fee if you cancel within a certain amount

of time before your appointment. It’s important to know this information up front.

3) How often should I come to therapy?

This is a decision that should be made between you and your therapist. Many therapists

recommend weekly or twice a week to start off, but some therapists, like

psychoanalysts, see their clients multiple times per week. If weekly is too much for you,

financially, talk to your therapist about it.

4) What type of therapy do you do?

It’s ok to ask your therapist about their preferred therapeutic modality. Not every type

of therapy works for every person.

5) How does therapy end?

Therapy is a collaborative process. Termination, or the end of therapy, is helpful to talk

about right at the beginning so that you know what to expect.

6) What happens if I run into you in public?

This is a great question, as it is something that tends to happen in real life. Privacy laws

dictate how we handle this situation, but it’s important to discuss this with your

therapist before it happens.

7) Who is going to know what we talk about?

All therapists are legally bound by a code called HIPAA, and will give you information

about privacy before you start sessions. This means that your information is

confidential. However, if you have questions about whether something can be shared

with your partner, parent, or doctor, you should always ask!

8) Do you think you can help me?

Therapists, like doctors, have areas of expertise. If your needs are outside of the scope

of a therapist’s abilities, it is their responsibility to tell you that, and to refer you to

someone who is better equipped to help you.

There is a lot to remember during that first session, and it’s easy to forget the questions you

had planned to ask. Try writing down your questions before the session. Your therapist may

answer them without you even having to ask, but, if they don’t, you will have your questions

readily available. If you forget something, ask it at the next appointment.

Therapy is a relationship, and, even if a therapist answers all your questions the way you want,

you still might not feel a connection. It’s ok to try a different therapist if the first one doesn’t

feel like the right fit.

Interested in giving therapy a try? Give us a call today at 217-203-2008, or email us at

info@champaigncounseling.com to start promoting peace from within

Resources:

• https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2022/Ten-Questions-to-Ask-Your-

  Psychotherapist

• https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/how-to-find-a-therapist-whos-right-for-

  you/

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-therapy-center/202201/is-it-ok-ask-therapist-

  personal-questions