Questions to Ask a Psychologist, Counselor, or Therapist in Connecticut

Are you someone who is currently seeking therapy in Connecticut? If so, this blog post could be helpful to you. When it comes to hiring a therapist, it can feel kind of confusing and murky. We aren’t taught what qualities to look for in a therapist and we aren’t taught to ask the kinds of questions of a therapist that can help us determine if they are truly a good fit for us.

The intention of this blog post is to clear all of that stuff up. Below, I am going to give you a list of then questions you can ask a therapist before hiring them so that you can get the answers you need to make the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask a Connecticut Therapist Before Hiring Them

Most people don’t do their full due diligence when considering hiring a therapist. You can ask the therapist any questions you want to. After all, this is your time, money, heart, and soul we’re talkin’ about here! Here are some questions to ask a therapist when you first speak with them:

1. What is your therapeutic approach or style?
   This question is important because understanding their approach and style as a therapist can help you determine if their ways of working align with your core values and goals for therapy. For example, if you are struggling with anxiety and want to have a Connecticut therapy experience with a therapist who uses somatic practice to help resolve the anxiety, you are going to want to get clarity on whether the therapist you are speaking with offers a somatic therapy approach in their work.
   

2. What experience do you have with [fill in the blank of why you’re seeking therapy]?
   It is so important that the therapist you choose to work with has actual experience treating what you’re seeking to heal in therapy. Working with a therapist who is incredibly skilled professionally allows for a truly rich, powerful, and transformational therapy experience.
   

3. What are your qualifications and credentials?
   It’s important to note that capital letters behind a name don’t necessarily equate to a proficient and effective therapist. However, you may still want to do your due diligence by asking about the therapist’s education, training, qualifications, and credentials. This will give you clarity on whether they are qualified to provide therapy.
   

4. What is your availability?
   Finding out when the Connecticut therapist is able to see you will allow you to know if their schedule aligns with yours.
   

5. What are your fees, and do you accept insurance?
   Before asking this question, take the time to get clear on what your budget is for therapy. That way, when you ask this question, you are best prepared for the answer they give you. Knowing the cost range that is in budget for you and whether you’re okay with them taking or not taking insurance are important factors for you to be clear about prior to speaking with the therapist.
   

6. What can I expect to happen during our sessions?
   Knowing and understanding what will actually happen inside the therapy session can help you determine if the way they work works for you and can help you feel better prepared if you choose to hire them.
   

7. Do you offer remote or online therapy options?
   If online therapy sessions are something you’d like to do or are options you’d like to have, this question is a must-ask!
   

8. How do you measure progress and success in therapy?
   You want to know that the therapist you are working with is as invested in your growth as you are. This question can help you assess a.) how seriously they take their work with you, b.) how invested they are in your growth, and c.) clues you into how skilled they are at helping their clients achieve their goals.
   

9. What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
   This is good to be aware of from the get-go so that you can be clear on the time window you have to cancel or reschedule a session if you need to.
   

10. Can you provide any references or testimonials?
    While therapists are not encouraged to solicit testimonials from their clients, they are allowed to receive them if the client initiates them. You likely won’t see testimonials on a therapist’s website for confidentiality and privacy purposes but you can absolutely ask for them. Be aware that the therapist will not be able to share with you the name of the client—only the words the client said about them.
    

To sum it up:
You deserve to receive quality Connecticut therapy that actually helps you achieve your goals. Therapy is an investment, and you want to be sure that you are investing your time, energy, action, and money into a therapist who is qualified to help you. Asking a therapist the above questions can help you get there!

Are you finding this blog post helpful? Check out these Connecticut therapy related articles:

• Finding a Therapist in Connecticut

• FAQs about Therapy, Counseling, Coaching and Finding Therapy in Connecticut

• What to Expect from Counseling, Mental Health, Psychotherapy, and Therapy in Connecticut

• The Top 3 Myths about Counseling, Coaching, Psychotherapy, and Therapy in Connecticut

• The Top 3 Truths about Counseling, Therapy, Psychotherapy, and Coaching in Connecticut

Are you looking to work with a therapist who can deliver a high-quality and deeply healing Connecticut therapy experience? Click here to book your free 20-minute discovery call with me.