New Therapist Preperation

[Fadeaway]

So, I have decided to see a new therapist. An actual trauma therapist this time. Honestly, I feel sort of guilty about leaving my current therapist, but it isn't helping and I leave angry that I felt like I couldn't communicate my needs.

In preparation for my new therapist, I brought a notebook to write down things I want to mention and question I have. Are there any questions I should ask right off the bat? Especially questions that would help me know if this person is right for me? I am kind of worried because I am going to be driving a long distance (11/2hours) to see this therapist. I don't want to drive all that way for 10 months only to find out that it isn't a good fit. I feel like i wasted 10 months of my life with my current therapist and i don't want to make the same mistake.

 

[Go Hungry]

Umm.. Ask for their qualifications? Might put you at ease to know where they studied, any areas of expertise, that sort of things...

 

[Sarah2732]

I read your post about your therapist nodding off- and I'm so glad you are taking action to find someone who will engage with you.

I drove nearly 90 minutes each way to see my old therapist. I kind of liked the drive because it gave me time to prepare my mind and on the way home to kind of "come down" in a relatively safe place. If I were you I'd commit to 1 or 2 sessions see how it felt, and then decide to commit to a longer time (like 6 or 8 weeks) and reevaluate.

I recently chose to find a new counselor and my list of questions included:
1. How long have you been a counselor? (I read something long ago that this is a BIG factor in clients feeling like they are being helped. Experience = wisdom to handle individuals better)
2. If they are semi-recently licensed, and you know of any bad local therapists, you might want to ask who they did their supervised hours under to make sure there isn't an obvious connection.
3. Are there any issues you are not comfortable treating? - Don't put yourself through the yuck of trying to open up to someone just to find out a few months in they feel like, ethically, they need to refer people with your issue.
4. Do you have much experience treating people with trauma (insert any issue there)?
5. Personally I usually ask if they've had any therapy. The best therapist I ever had disclosed she'd had years of therapy, much of it for trauma, and I think it made her so, so, so much more sensitive. So it's a plus for me if they have.

If you are able, I would encourage you to tell your old therapist why, specifically, you are terminating the relationship - even if it's just a letter. Hopefully he is someone who genuinely cares and wants to be a better T. It's not your job to help him be a better T, but giving him that info might help him help someone else.