So, you're exploring your options for therapists in and near Northfield, IL and aren't sure what to do next. They all seemed nice enough online and are offering a free consultation. But, what happens next? What do you say? What's appropriate to ask? How much or what do you say about yourself?
Taking the first step to reach out to a therapist is hard. It's nerve-wracking, awkward and takes a lot of courage (and guts!) to put yourself out there. We're here to help ease some of that initial awkwardness by giving you some ideas of what to ask (and if you read right off this blog when having the consultation, we're OK with that!).
Here are some questions and tips to consider asking a prospective therapist in and near Northfield, IL:
What information do I feel comfortable talking about to someone I've never met? Examples of things you might want to mention include: feeling anxious about something in particular, wanting to work on your relationships, help with dating, feelings of loneliness that you can't seem to understand or work through, and work stress.
How does therapy work exactly? This is a good question to ask if you haven't been to therapy before and/or have been referred to a therapist after seeing someone you didn't "click" with before.
What type of therapy do you practice? This is where therapists will go into detail about their therapy style. Are they more solution-focused? Do they practice a certain type of therapy? Examples of that can be found here.
How frequent are sessions? Many therapists and counselors start with weekly sessions and then taper down when needed to twice monthly or monthly, as appropriate. It's important to ask this so that you know the expected time commitment and can plan accordingly.
What does scheduling look like? Do I schedule over the phone, e-mail, online through a secure patient portal? Can I keep the same appointment time for consistency's sake?
What are your credentials or qualifications for practicing therapy? This may matter to you if you're looking for a specialist in a particular area. For example, some people want to do exposure therapy for a certain fear or see someone who uses EMDR in the office. If you're specifically wanting a particular approach, make sure you ask about it in the consultation.
Is your office handicap accessible? Not all offices are handicap accessible and it's not always discussed in the initial consult. As therapists, we want you to feel comfortable in our office and want you to let us know what will make you feel most at ease.
How does payment work? Ask the therapist if he or she accepts credit cards, cash, check, online payments, and/or your insurance (if applicable).
Do you prescribe medication? If you are thinking you might need medication, this would be a good question to ask. Most therapists and counselors in Northfield, IL and the surrounding suburbs cannot prescribe medication as they do not have an MD or DO degree. So you will likely be referred out to another provider who works in conjunction with the therapist of your choice.
We hope this helps you find the right therapist in Northfield, IL. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call our office at 847.313.8074 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. We are happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with anxiety, stress management, and relationship issues, you can read more about how we can help here.