lazyweb: Helpful Interview Qs for a New Therapist

[jesse_the_k]

My mental health therapist is retiring. In the next few weeks I'm scheduled for "brief consults" with possible successors.

I've got a couple questions prepared, and I'd love to know what I don't know to ask.

Have you interviewed therapists? Was there a question/comment which proved useful (or harmful)?

Comments

[otter]

* Is their conversation style in line with your needs? I do better with someone who goes back and forth with me, rather than hm-mms along with whatever I say.
* Do they have a religious background/inclination that is objectionable to you? Are they able to set it aside in order to work with you?
* Do they work with other people who are (name-that-tune)? In my case, autistic is a significant thing, as is CPTSD.
* Do they have a trauma-informed practice?

I had a medical pracitioner (I think it was integrative medicine) who said it felt like I was putting them through a job interview, and objected to it. I didn't hire them to be part of my care team.

[jesse_the_k]

Very helpful, thanks!

(Good call on the "job interview" person. Later to someone who doesn't want to be taken seriously.)

[otter]

I think the "job interview" person was more of a mind that it was up to her if SHE accepted ME as a patient.