Choosing the right therapist can be a bit daunting, especially if you have never been in therapy before. After all, each individual who is called to this profession presents with their own therapeutic style, clinical experience, unique personality traits, early developmental history, social and emotional life, and often a theoretical framework that informs how they work with patients. So how do you know which therapist will be right for you?

Whatever brings you to therapy, it is most important to find someone who is a GOOD FIT. Determining goodness of fit has a lot to do with how you feel when you are with a therapist. Do they seem genuine and present? Do they convey a sense of truly listening, from inside your experience? Do you walk away feeling understood and not judged? Do you feel emotionally safe enough to trust this person?

Therapy is a collaborative process so there is no need to feel like you are the only one in the consulting room. It may take more than one session to determine whether or not a therapist is truly right for you. Regardless, you can get a sense of a good fit by asking questions and paying attention, on purpose, to how you feel in the process. The initial consultation is a good place to start.

 Here are a few questions that new patients often ask me during an initial consultation:

1. Can you explain what a therapy session is like with you?

2. How can therapy help me?

3. What if I can’t think of something to talk about?

4. How do I know that what we talk about is kept confidential?

5. How will I know therapy is working?

6. What is the length of each session?

7. What is your fee?

8. Do you accept insurance? Do you process the claims or do I have to do this?

9. How do I pay for services?

10. What is the best way to contact you?

There’s nothing like the present moment to begin the exploration of who you are right now and who you want to be for the rest of your life. I wish you all the best in this journey.

For a free, confidential phone consultation, please contact me at 224-408-0115, or email me at: rstrauss@thrivepsychotherapyllc.com