Interviewing Therapist this week & next - any tips?

[Penguintrax]

First time I've ever done this. If you've got any suggestions on what kinds of questions to ask, etc., I would be grateful to hear them.

Much thanks...

[muse]

- Qualifications, licensing, training, experience?

- What is their theoretical approach? (cognitive-behvaioral, analytic, etc)

- What do they percice as the "goal" of therapy?

- How long do they percieve you being in therapy?

- How often?

- Cost?

More than specific questions I would go on a gut feeling of whether you feel comfortable, is this someone who you could open up to, who could support/challenge you, or whatever you need. Good luck, and remember whoever you settle with you can always switch if it doesn't feel right. You are the one in control of the situation.

[EllasMama]

Hi Penguintrax,

I asked the same question over a year ago and here are the responses I got:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...threadid=34680

A lot of the tips were really good, but I especially appreciated and followed NaturalMamma's recommendations about how she interviewed therapists.

I agree with muse that gut feel is an important aspect. I interviewed about 6-8 people on the phone and then met with 2. The first woman I met was okay, but when I met the second therapist, I knew almost instantly that things "clicked" with her.

How I found my therapist was by word of mouth. I posted on Mothering and on a couple of local mom's email groups I belong to. It was a little hard to post that I was looking for a therapist, as I was worried people might judge me for it. But in the end no one did - some people even really appreciated my admitting I needed one - and I got in touch with an awesome therapist that I'd never have known about.

The therapist I chose isn't on my insurance's "preferred provider" list, but I still get reimbursed 70%. We can sort of afford it, so I feel it is absolutely worth it to go to her even though she costs more. Also, my therapist doesn't do this, but some providers charge a higher rate for patients with insurance (as opposed to 100% cash payments) and then waive some or all of the "remainder" owed by the patient if they can get the insurance to pay 70% or 80%.

Good luck, hope you find someone great! After you dig through the muck, therapy can actually be fun!

Carol