how to find the Right Therapist in Austin: 8 Essential Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Therapist
So, you’re searching for a therapist in Austin? Fortunately, there are a wide variety of options available. To get the most out of your sessions, however, it’s important to find a therapist who is the right fit for you.
Research shows that therapy is most effective when there is a strong, positive relationship between the client and the therapist. However, finding the right therapist isn’t always straightforward. That’s why it’s crucial to do your research, ask the right questions, and trust your instincts.
As a sex and relationship therapist with years of experience, I understand how difficult it can be to ask meaningful questions to a stranger. However, opening up and being vulnerable with your therapist is the key to successful therapy. I’ve seen numerous clients switch therapists because vital issues in their lives were not being fully understood or addressed.
Today, I’d like to talk about how to choose a therapist that aligns with your goals, your specific needs, and your personal preferences. We’re also going to look at some more practical considerations, such as your budget, your location, and your scheduling needs.
Here are 8 key questions to help you decide if a therapist is right for you.
#1. What is your background and training as a therapist?
Therapists can have different levels of credentials and expertise, therefore it’s important to check the qualifications of anyone you’re considering working with. You want to feel certain that your therapist has the necessary training to help you with sensitive and vulnerable issues.
It’s also important to consider your therapist’s background and experience, as this can greatly impact their ability to understand and address your specific needs effectively.
As a licensed professional counselor and a marriage and family therapist, I have over 16 years of specialization in sex and relationship therapy. In addition, I continually receive education and training on human sexuality. This ongoing professional development ensures that I remain informed and relevant in addressing my clients' challenges.
#2. What types of therapy do you offer or specialize in?
Therapists vary in the types of clients they work with and the therapies they offer. Some therapists specialize in working with couples, while others may focus on individual therapy, family therapy, child therapy, or group therapy.
Therapists may also have different areas of specialization. Some might focus on sexual issues but not on relationship dynamics, while others might specialize in relationship therapy without addressing sexual issues.
It’s important to choose a therapist with knowledge and understanding of the specific issues you are facing, or the life circumstances you are living. Finding the right fit can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the therapy and allow the therapist to provide tailored support that addresses your unique needs.
#3. What is your approach to therapy?
There is a wide range of different psychological theories that therapists can use to guide their approach to therapy. Some examples include EMDR, EFT, CBT, SFT, IFS, psychodynamic therapy, and many more. They each serve as a roadmap to help therapists understand how problems originate, how they are maintained, and how to resolve them.
While the key to successful therapy is a strong client-patient relationship, understanding a therapist's approach can help you make a more informed choice.
I follow a theory that deeply respects the client's subjective worldview. This means I strive not to assume what meaning signifies for my clients. Instead, it leads me to ask many questions so I can truly grasp my clients' unique experiences.
If you’re interested in learning more about the different approaches to therapy, you might find these websites helpful:
https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/approaches
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapy
#4. Have you worked with clients who have similar issues to mine?
When you’re seeking therapy, it can be helpful to find a therapist who has experience with similar issues to your own, or similar ways of being. This can help you to feel more comfortable, seen, and respected. You may also feel less of a need to defend or explain yourself to a therapist who understands your specific issue.
This is particularly true when dealing with issues around sex and relationships. After all, we live in a culture that does not make it easy to talk about sex.
The right therapist with relevant experience will be able to offer you deeper insights and more effective strategies that are tailored to your unique situation. This can make your therapy more meaningful and effective, as you’ll be able to explore your issues in a safe and supportive environment.
#5. What does a typical therapy session look like with you?
All therapists have their own style when working with patients, and many different approaches can be used. This can be determined by the psychological theories that they follow (as we discussed above), along with personal preferences.
There are also multiple ways that sessions can be structured. For instance, some therapists prefer to do one to three intake sessions before diving into what brings you to therapy. Some therapists prefer to meet more often than others, and some prefer longer or shorter sessions.
Before asking a potential therapist what their style and structure look like, it can be helpful to ask yourself some questions, to try and understand what type of therapist may be best for you.
For example, would you prefer a therapist with a more direct style or someone quieter who lets you do most of the talking? Do you like lots of feedback, or would you prefer to have homework? Do you have any preferences around the age, gender, or personality of your therapist?
I meet my patients for 45 minutes, either in person or virtually. I schedule my clients weekly, particularly in the beginning. I don’t do formal intake sessions, rather I simply ask you “What brings you in?”. I do offer homework to my patients, but not too much, and my typical style is to ask lots of questions.
If you’d like to learn more about working with me, you might find this blog post helpful: What to Expect in Your Therapy Session.
#6. Can you tell me about your availability and scheduling?
Therapy is a process that takes time. Regular, consistent sessions are required to help you reach your goals, so it’s crucial to find a therapist who can work with you in a way that meets your needs and your schedule.
The consistency of your sessions (when, where, and how often) is an important part of your treatment plan, so it may be important to find a therapist who offers some flexibility.
One thing to come out of the pandemic was the strong uptake of virtual therapy sessions. Virtual therapy is now commonplace, so it’s worth considering this format for some or all of your sessions.
Here are some questions to ask a potential therapist:
● Are you accepting new clients?
● Do you provide access to in-person and/or telehealth services?
● Where are you located?
● What days and times are you available?
● How flexible is your scheduling?
Regular therapy sessions will help you to identify your mental health concerns early and meet your goals for therapy. By honoring your commitment to self-care and prioritizing your mental health, you have the best opportunity to create lasting change.
#7. What are your fees and do you accept insurance?
Once you’ve made the decision to seek help and find a therapist, you’re probably wondering how much it will all cost. Just as there are many types of therapists and therapies, there are many different answers to this question.
In addition to finding out how much you will pay, it’s a good idea to ask about the various forms of payment that will be accepted. Some therapists only take cash or checks, while others will accept credit cards. Some therapists may also take payment through online apps like Paypal, Venmo, or Zelle. If you have a Health Savings Plan or a Flexible Spending Account, check if the therapist can accept these as payment, as not all therapists will.
It's also a good idea to find out how the therapist will manage their billing. For example, will you be automatically charged through an online portal? Are Superbills for Out of Network Insurance Billing available, or can they provide an invoice? Better yet, will the therapist accept your insurance or offer a sliding scale price for sessions?
If the therapist does accept your insurance, you’ll need to ask how much the co-payment will be, and whether they will collect payment from the insurance company on your behalf. Also, what happens if the insurance company denies your payments? It’s wise to ask the therapist how this would impact your treatment and your fees.
Finally, if it turns out that you’re not willing or able to afford the therapist’s fees, be sure to ask if there are other options available to you, such as group counseling or workshops.
#8. How will we measure progress and what goals should I expect to achieve?
When people decide to seek therapy, it’s typically for a specific reason. Maybe you’re feeling alone in your relationship, trying to navigate a career transition, or grappling with the demands of a new baby. Whatever the reason, therapy begins with a goal in mind.
Setting goals for your therapy first involves understanding the problem. From there, you need to understand how the problem is being maintained and how to fix it, if possible. In collaboration with the therapist, you will then decide on the goals of your treatment. These goals should be realistic, and they should be monitored over time.
There are many ways to monitor progress, and therapists often use tools such as assessment and session rating scales. These tools can help you to have deeper conversations about what is working and what isn’t. This is a crucial element of therapy, as it gives your therapist valuable insight into your experience and helps guide the treatment plan moving forward.
Depending on the condition, it might also be possible to measure the improvement of your symptoms over time. As always, however, the ongoing conversation between you and your therapist is the most important source of feedback.
Ultimately, the goal is for you to achieve meaningful progress and personal growth.
It’s time to find your therapist!
No matter how many professional accreditations a therapist has, or how many years of experience, what matters most is how you feel about working with them.
Of course, It can be very difficult to determine this before you choose a therapist. It’s a good idea to talk to several potential therapists before you make your decision and to ask questions about the things that matter most to you.
Speaking directly to the therapist will give you a chance to explore whether you would feel comfortable opening up to this person and whether there is potential for a strong connection to form. Most importantly, it gives you a chance to notice whether you will feel seen, heard, and respected. Therapy is meant to be a welcoming and accepting space for any and all feelings that come up, so pay close attention to any first impressions or emotions that you experience during this conversation.
If you’re located in Austin (or anywhere within the state of Texas) and you’re feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 512-850-2287 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what you’re experiencing and help direct you to the right person. And if you’re looking for help with sex and relationships, I’d love to explore if I might be the right therapist for you. You can read more about how I can help you here:
https://www.hillcountrytherapy.com/counseling-specialties/
