PHONE (512) 293-3807
FAX (512) 448-3101
Austin, Texas
DrJordan@kristajordan.com
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These questions may help you select a therapist:
- What is the therapist’s style of therapy? There are many styles, including cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, humanistic, etc. The therapist should be able to tell you which style they use and why. The therapist may call themselves "eclectic", meaning that he or she combines several styles. If that is the case, ask the therapist which styles s/he blends and what is helpful from each style.
- Has the therapist treated your problems before? If so, how often? What does he or she think needs to be done for you? The therapist may not have a fully-formed plan after only talking to you briefly but s/he should have some "plan of attack" for the general sort of problems that you present.
- Does the therapist belong to any professional organizations? Psychologists and counselors have the opportunity to belong to many professional organizations that can offer important continuing education as well as an opportunity to consult with colleagues about cases. Most people who are truly good at therapy are active members of at least one of these organizations (if not more).
- How long does the average patient stay? While treatment varies quite a bit depending on the problem, if a therapist sees most patients for 6 visits or less (or thereabouts) chances are people are just not finding the help they need and are moving on. It would be more reasonable to expect that patients would stay anywhere from a few months (for a very superficial, short-term problem such as conflict with a co-worker or a simple phobia like fear of flying) to years for more complex problems like histories of abuse in childhood, dysfunctional relationships, etc.
- Has the therapist ever been reprimanded by their licensing board? If so, for what? Most counselors are licensed by the state and patients can lodge complaints if they have been treated unethically or unprofessionally. You would want to know if the therapist has had patients complain in the past about their treatment and what was done about it.
Feel free to ask any other questions you think are important. It may be helpful to bring a list of questions with you in written format to make sure they all are covered and to help you if you become anxious in the process. You may want to reconsider a therapist who is unwilling or uncomfortable in providing you the above information. You should be aware, however, that it is standard practice in many styles of therapy NOT to disclose personal information to patients such as the therapists ’ marital status, parental status, personal preferences, values, or morals, personal feelings, religious affiliations, family history, etc. If you feel personal information is important to you in making your choice of therapist you have the right to ask a prospective professional but you may find that they are reluctant to answer personal questions. This would be considered appropriate and even desirable in many therapeutic styles and should not be confused with avoidance of answering the types of questions detailed above, which are more directly related to your own personal situation and care. |
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