Questions to ask a therapist in Oklahoma City
So, you've found a few therapists in Oklahoma City that seem like they might be a good fit, and they’ve mentioned doing a consultation. Now you might be wondering, "What do I ask? What do I say?" It’s totally understandable to feel a little unsure about how to navigate this step.
Here’s how to approach the consultation:
Start with your goals
It’s helpful to let the therapist know what you're hoping to get out of therapy. Are you dealing with specific issues like anxiety, trauma, or depression? Or are you looking for general emotional support? This helps the therapist understand if they can meet your needs.
Getting to Know Your Therapist
Background and experience: You want to know if the therapist has the right training and experience to help with your specific concerns. It’s like finding out if they’ve worked with people who’ve faced similar challenges so you can feel confident they understand where you're coming from.
Specialties: Not every therapist focuses on the same issues. If you’re dealing with something specific like anxiety, trauma, or relationship issues, it helps to know they have experience in those areas so they can better guide you through it.
Questions to ask:
1. Can you tell me a bit about your background and how long you've been practicing?
2. What kind of training do you have, and are you licensed in Oklahoma?
3. What do you enjoy most about being a therapist?
4. What types of issues do you specialize in?
5. Have you worked with people dealing with similar concerns to mine before?
Therapy Approach and Style
Therapy style: Therapists have different ways of working. Some use techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or EMDR, while others might focus on person-centered. It’s important to ask so you can understand what therapy will actually look like and make sure it feels like a good match for you.
Customized care: Everyone is different, so it’s helpful to know whether they tailor their approach to fit your needs. This way, you’ll know that your therapy will be personalized instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Tracking progress: It’s nice to know how they measure success in therapy. Knowing how they track progress helps you see if you’re improving and makes the process feel more rewarding as you notice changes in yourself.
Questions to ask:
1. What types of therapy do you use?
2. How do you approach therapy for someone like me? What would it look like?
3. How do you track progress? How will I know if therapy is helping?
4. Do you adjust your approach based on each person’s needs and situation?
Logistics and Practical Stuff
Fees and scheduling: Therapy is an investment of both time and money. It’s important to know upfront what the costs are and if they accept your insurance, so you’re not hit with any surprises. Plus, asking about their availability helps make sure their schedule works with yours.
Policies: Things come up, and life gets busy, so it’s good to know their cancellation policy. Asking about sliding scales or payment plans can also make therapy more affordable if needed.
Questions to ask:
1. How often do you usually meet with clients, and what’s your availability like?
2. What are your fees, and do you take insurance?
3. Do you offer sliding scale fees or payment plans if needed?
4. What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?
Building the Therapeutic Relationship
Therapist’s style: Everyone clicks with different types of people. Some therapists are more hands-on, offering advice and guidance, while others take a more laid-back approach. Asking this helps you figure out if their style fits your personality and what you’re looking for in therapy.
Roles in therapy: Understanding how they see the roles in therapy - what they’ll do and what they expect from you helps set clear expectations. It’s nice to know what the process will be like and how you’ll work together to reach your goals.
Questions to ask:
1. How would you describe your style as a therapist - are you more hands-on, or do you take a backseat and let clients lead?
2. What do you think is the role of the therapist and the client in therapy?
Trauma or Specialized Care
Specialized training: If you're seeking therapy for something specific like trauma, it’s reassuring to know the therapist has special training (like EMDR) to help with those issues. This lets you know they have the right tools to support you in the best way possible.
Creating a safe space: Therapy often involves talking about tough or emotional topics, so it’s important to feel safe and supported. Asking how they create a comfortable environment helps you feel more at ease when it comes time to open up.
Questions to ask:
1. If you specialize in trauma, how do you work with it? What methods do you use?
2. Do you have any special training for trauma therapy, like EMDR?
3. How do you help clients feel safe when talking about difficult or painful topics?
Asking these questions makes sure you're choosing a therapist who’s the right fit for you - someone who gets your needs, has the right experience, and works in a way that makes you feel comfortable and supported.
I hope this makes your search for the right therapist in Oklahoma City a little easier! If you would like to schedule a free consultation with me, please book online. I’m here to listen and support you. We can talk through your goals and see if working together feels right for you.
