Questions to ask a therapist or counselor in Denton, TX
By Hannah Poe Klaassen, LPC, RYT-200
Edited by Kelly Higdon
You found a counselor in Denton, TX and they’ve got you scheduled for a 15-minute consultation. That’s great, but knowing what to expect, or what to ask can be a little less clear. Through my own experience interviewing for my own counselor and also as a' therapist in Denton, TX who offers free consults, I want to make this process easy for you so you find the RIGHT therapist for the transformation you are seeking.
Questions to ask a counselor in Denton, TX
When are you available for counseling sessions?
This is the most important question, IMHO. You want to know if that counselor is available when you are. Booking your intake is not a guarantee that they will always be available at that time. The hours they are open may fit your schedule, but if every appoint you can attend is booked, it's not a good. Getting comfortable with a counselor, then stopping therapy because of schedule conflicts stinks. Get clear on their typical availability and what they can offer you. This will land you with a therapist you connect with at a time you can commit to. Sounds pretty great right?
Do you offer in-person, telehealth, phone, or a hybrid of counseling services?
Be sure that the therapist you are interviewing can offer you the therapy setting you need. If you live in Fort Worth, TX and can’t make it in for weekly appointments, make sure the therapists offers virtual. A video 15-minute consultation does not guarantee that the counselor offers virtual sessions.
How much do you charge for a counseling session and do you take my insurance?
Going back to our original tips for finding a counselor in Denton, TX, know your budget for therapy. You don't want to agree to a fee you are uncomfortable with. Likely you will drop out of counseling part of the way through. If you can only spend $20/month, then let the counselor know that is your budget. If you need to get some reimbursement for sessions ask if the counselor takes insurance. PRO TIP: If they say no, ask them how they handle out-of-network benefits. Some counselor won’t be able to accept your insurance. Don't freak out yet! Some will do all the heavy lifting to get your insurance to send you a check for the amount they do cover. At Well Culture Counseling, we help you figure out if you get anything back, how much, and take care of the paperwork. All you have to do is follow our simple guide!
Have you ever worked with Anxiety due to Childhood Trauma?
Ask if the therapist has experience working with your specific concern. At Well Culture Counseling we often see clients for Anxiety that is rooted in the way they were raised, the nagging voices in their head, and the pesky messages from childhood they can’t quiet whip into shape. We would let you know that we don’t specialize in things like DBT for OCD. But if that’s what you’re looking for jump down to step 7. Then you can start back at 1 with the next interview.
How long does counseling typically take?
If you are hoping to get in and get out of therapy, you might be looking for someone who offers a brief therapy like Induced After Death Communication counseling for grief. Or maybe you are okay with working with your counselor over the next year to uproot the long lasting impacts of trauma. Either way, knowing what you are getting into can help you commit the time it’ll take to heal.
How often will we meet for our counseling sessions?
Knowing how often you need to plan to be there will help you with the above questions. At Well Culture Counseling, we see the best results when clients are able to commit to once weekly sessions. This helps clients move through their pain with consistency, and complete treatment more quickly.The answer to this question will help you determine:
monthly cost
time commitment
if you’re able to make it in person
when you can be available.
If the answers to the questions aren’t meeting your needs then it’s time to start asking the next set of questions.
Do you know anyone who may be able to better help me?
Looking for a specific specialty is okay. In fact, we encourage it at Well Culture Counseling. Do you need help with childhood trauma? If the counselor you interviewed works with combat veterans, ask for a referral. Counselors are trained to help people meet their needs. A trained counselor will understand that they are not the right fit for everyone. They will be happy to offer a referral to a counselor that specializes in childhood trauma, if they don’t.
Do you know of any clinics or non-profits that offer discounted counseling services?
Counselors in Denton, TX will know of local resources for people who cannot afford their services. They can give you a few names or even a list of people to reach out to if cost is a barrier to getting the help you need.
