Questions to ask a Therapist, Counselor, or Psychologist in NYC
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New York City is a diverse city with thousands of therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and psychoanalysts. You can easily find hundreds of therapists within just your own zip code. Especially with everyone doing telehealth sessions now, you can practically choose any therapist in the entire New York State!
So you’ve been googling Find a Therapist in NYC and found a few therapists who seemed nice enough. All of them talk about doing a free consultation, but what should you ask? What should you say? What is appropriate?
Questions to ask a Therapist in NYC
Do you have openings?
There is nothing worse than spending 15 minutes connecting with a therapist who seems perfect, only to find out they don’t actually have openings, or that your schedules don’t align at all. Therapy is a commitment of time and energy. You will seldom find someone who fits your schedule exactly. You will likely have to move some things around to make space for this weekly appointment—so be a little flexible.
Do you understand my issue and can you help me?
This is a question you don’t usually have to ask directly. A good therapist will get clear on what you are looking for and let you know how they can help based on their expertise and experience. If they don’t feel like they can be of help, oftentimes they will offer to refer you to other therapists who could be a better fit. However, some therapists take everyone who calls them, and that can sometimes lead to less than stellar results. If the therapist hasn’t talked about their ability to help you—don’t be afraid to ask about it!
Are you licensed and trained?
There are lots of really great healers and coaches who are unlicensed. However, if you are looking for therapy AND you want to ensure that your confidential information has the utmost protection, you do want a licensed therapist. There are particular laws that have been passed to protect what you talk about in therapy that are not applicable to coaching or other paraprofessionals.
What is your style of therapy?
Hopefully, before you ever get on to the phone with the therapist, their website makes it clear who they work with and what their style of therapy is. For example, I have a page on my website talking about my therapy approach. I know my clients aren’t just looking for a therapist in Brooklyn, a therapist in Williamsburg, or simply an Asian-American therapist or a gay therapist. They are looking for someone who can truly help them and work with them in a way that fits their needs and preferences.
Find the Therapist in NYC Right for YOU!
I hope this helps you find the right therapist in NYC. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (646) 280-5274 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. You can also read more about how I can be of service if you’re a creative, an engineer, an Asian American, a queer individual, or a queer or interracial couple.