Knowing what questions to ask a therapist during your visit can help reduce anxiety.
Are You Licensed?
What Kind of Training Have You Received?
Tom M Johnson/Blend Images/Getty Images
Depending on who you are meeting with, theeducational background of therapists can differ.
For example, your therapist may be a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed clinical social worker.
All of these professions are able to provide therapy; however, the education they received is different.
What Is Your Treatment Orientation?
Just as the educational background of therapists may differ, so will their orientation.
What is meant by the word “orientation?”
Orientation refers to the psychological theory that the therapist draws from in understanding and treating psychological difficulties.
For example, some therapists believe that psychological difficulties stem from problems in thinking.
This jot down of therapist would likely have acognitive behavioral orientation.
Others may believe that psychological difficulties stem from our early childhood (particularly, our attachment to caregivers).
This bang out of therapist would be considered to have apsychodynamic orientation.
There is no one “right” orientation.
How Many Patients With PTSD Have You Treated?
You should ask a therapist if they have had experience in treating PTSD.
In addition, it would be important to know how they generally go about treating PTSD.
Do they use exposure therapy?
Is the treatment they use supported by research?
There are many treatments for PTSD out there; however,only a few are supported by research.
You would want to find someone who is familiar with these treatments and uses them in their practice.
What Is Your Expertise or Specialty?
Some therapists have received specialized or focused training in one or two disorders.
What Is the Cost per Session?
You may also want to ask what kind of insurance is accepted and what your co-pay would be.
This means that the therapist has different prices depending on the client’s income.
Can You Prescribe Medication or Make Referrals for Medication?
People differ in their beliefs on the use of medication for psychological difficulties.
Do You Stay Up-to-Date on Research on PTSD?
New research findings on PTSD and its treatment come out almost every day.
Will Therapy Be Time-Limited or Long-term?
Some PTSD treatments may be time-limited.
That is, they may last only for a certain number of sessions.
Other treatments may be more long-term.
Finding the Right Therapist
It can be very difficult tofind the right therapistfor you.
In many ways, beginning therapyisan investment.
It is an investment in both time and money, as well as your future.
American Psychological Association.What Is the Difference Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers?
Watkins L, Sprang K, Rothbaum B.Treating PTSD: A Review of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Interventions.Front Behav Neurosci.
2018;12:258. doi:10.3389%2Ffnbeh.2018.00258
