Q: Does the therapist have experience working with diverse issues? A person may have one particular concern they’re seeking therapy for however, upon exploring the matter, other issues may come up during therapy sessions. A therapist who has experience working with an array of issues and challenges will be better prepared for variations in therapy.
Q: What is the counselor’s educational background?
Orlando has a large number of colleges and universities that graduate masters level clinicians. Unfortunately, they vary greatly in their admissions screening process and in the quality and aptitude of the counselors they generate. Choosing a therapist from a reputable graduate program will increase, though not guarantee, the likelihood of finding an ethical and well trained clinician.
Q: Has the therapist ever been in therapy? This may sound like a strange question but the reality is; would you really want to work with a therapist who’s never had the experience of being on the other side of therapy? FYI: when you ask this question, the therapist should only provide a brief answer if however, he or she begins to tell you detailed information about his/her own personal life, run in the other direction. You’re paying to see a therapist, not to be the therapist.
Q: Will you be comfortable with this counselor, i.e. what does your gut say?
This is the most important question you need to ask yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable talking with a therapist, it doesn’t matter if he/she went to Harvard, wrote a self-help bestseller, can run a marathon all while singing the star spangled banner, therapy will be a waste of your time and money. Being able to freely talk with your therapist is crucial for therapy to be successful.