Questions to Ask a Federal Way Therapist

So you found a few Federal Way therapists that seem like potential support. They all match your wellness needs, appear kind and helpful, and may even fit your vibe. But what should you ask to ensure you pick the right therapist?

Questions to ask a Federal Way therapist

Whether you are new to finding counseling in Federal Way, WA or this is all too familiar, it can be challenging to know what questions to ask a therapist that will help you narrow down your choice. Below is a list of questions to ask during a consultation…

1) What is your therapy style? All therapists have different ways of conducting therapy. Some are more talkative, some use art, some give homework, some are direct…you get the picture. When asking a therapist what their style is, they should be able to give you a clear picture of what a session with them will look like. This will help you determine who will be the best fit and what you’re most comfortable with during a session.

My answer: My style is compassionate and casual while being direct and challenging when necessary. We engage in back and forth conversation and utilize worksheets or other tools if needed. I will assign homework if you enjoy processing in that way. I use humor and mild self-disclosure to build a trusting connection with you. I’ll bring in pop culture references and different types of media when relevant. I’m not a nod-and-hmm type of therapist, I very much engage in our processing. For more info about me and my style - click here.

2) Do you have experience working with (insert your issue or identity here)? It’s important for you to find a therapist who is an expert in your current issues and/or cultural and social identities. The more knowledge your therapist has on your lived experience, the more tools and emotional support they can offer. I know it seems a little common sense, but not everyone knows how to approach this when searching for a new therapist. Directly asking “what’s your experience working with trans people?” or “what trainings have you done in eating disorders?” can be useful information and help you choose a therapist.

My answer: I help women and those with queer identities find relief from anxiety and people-pleasing while learning to embrace their bodies, identities, and needs. I have lived experience as a queer person and have worked with many folks within the queer community around self-acceptance and managing relationships. The majority of my clients are anxious, sensitive, people-pleasers (same!) who have built confidence in their communication and boundaries, stopped unnecessarily caretaking in their relationships, and noticed a decrease in anxious symptoms. I have to continue my education every year to uphold my license, so many of my trainings have involved managing anxiety, existing in the LGBTQ+ community, and self-worth related issues. For more on my specialties click here.

3) How do you keep things confidential? A therapist must keep your information confidential by law and ethics of their license and state. There are exceptions to this so be sure to ask what those are during your consult or first session.

My answer: I use a HIPPA compliant software for scheduling, billing, and records. I use a HIPPA compliant phone app for communication. Everything shared between us is confidential unless I have a legal reason to break this (then I list what those reasons are). There may be times where I need to consult with a colleague to best support you, but none of your personal information will ever be shared. You will be notified if any of these issues arise.

4) What are your fees? Finding a therapist who can accommodate your financial needs is helpful to the therapy process. For instance, if you must use your insurance then connecting with a therapist who doesn’t take insurance wouldn’t make sense. Similarly, if a therapist’s rate is outside of your cash budget, then finding a practice or clinic who can offer lower rates is a better option. The most important thing is for you to be seen consistently. When money prevents you from attending consistent sessions, then it’s not a good fit.

My answer: I don’t take insurance (here’s why) and my rate is $200/session. Many of my clients have had luck receiving reimbursement from their insurance company for out-of-network benefits. If cash pay or reimbursement are not solid options for you, then I’ll provide some referrals for colleagues who can offer reduced rates or take insurance.

5) What are your scheduling and cancellation policies? Similar to fees, making sure a therapist’s availability and cancellation policies fit your needs is important to the therapy process. In general, many therapists tend to have a consistent schedule and cancellation policy. This can look very different from therapist to therapist so be sure to address this during a consult or first session.

My answer: We meet weekly (sometimes biweekly) on a consistent day and time. My cancellation policy is reschedule only, which means you can cancel any time before your session so long as you reschedule within 3 weeks. All non-reschedules or no-shows are subject to the full fee. More info on this is located here.

6) What happens if I don’t feel like progress is being made? The way a therapist handles this question could make or break the therapeutic relationship. You should not feel shamed for bringing up this concern. It’s most helpful if a therapist has a plan to address this if/when it occurs. If you don’t trust that your potential therapist can handle this conversation or doesn’t have a plan in place to address progress, then keep looking!

My answer: I would explore what potential barriers are preventing you from meeting those goals. If we determine that you could be doing more work outside of session, we will make a plan for that to happen. If we determine that my style of therapy isn’t what you need, then we either pivot and try something new or I offer referrals. If you’re not getting what you need from working with me, I’d rather help you find the right fit than continue forcing a process that isn’t benefiting your goals.

7) Are there any boundaries I need to be aware of as your client? It’s important for you to know what your therapist’s boundaries are. This is typically covered in the consent forms when you start therapy, but it could be useful to know ahead of time. Some therapists have stricter boundaries than others. Knowing the expectations of you as a client can help prevent potential miscommunications or conflict.

My answer: I’m not a crisis counselor so I’m not available 24/7. A boundary I have around this is that I’m only available by phone during certain days and hours. When I’m not available, clients receive an auto response stating when they can expect a response along with crisis resources in case of emergencies. Other boundaries I hold include not being friends on social media and not engaging in therapy via email or text.

8) When I’m ready to end therapy, what does this process look like? This will look different for every therapist. Some may want a wrap-up session, others may ask you when you’d like to end, and some may ask if tapering down session frequency is a better option. It can be weird to think about ending therapy before you even begin, but this conversation should start in the beginning since the ultimate goal is to meet your mental health needs so you can terminate therapy. It is an ethical requirement that therapists end therapy when a client no longer benefits from sessions.

My answer: When clients bring this up in session (or some have texted it to me) I offer a final wrap-up session so we can go over progress and create space for the end of our relationship. Endings are an important part of the process so let’s be intentional about this. Some clients have difficulty with saying goodbye, which means it’s just more “grist for the mill” and can result in a productive last session.

In Summary…

There are SO many questions relevant to narrowing down the best-fit therapist. The takeaway here is not to skip this process during consults and initial sessions. Get to know your therapist’s style and process along with their boundaries and expectations. If you don’t align with any of this, it’s ok to keep looking for someone else.

Looking for counseling in Federal Way, WA? Work with a therapist who understands the need to find the right fit and creates space for you to have a voice.

Be Well,

Katie G.

Related articles: What to Expect from Counseling with a Federal Way Therapist

Quality Counseling in Federal Way, WA and Online Therapy in Washington State

At Rainy Day Therapy, Katie offers the best counseling in Federal Way, WA within her scope of expertise! Katie is trained in attachment theory, feminist therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, ADHD, communication and boundaries, relationship needs, identity building, and disordered eating & body acceptance. Katie works best with women, queer identities, plus size folks, non-binary and gender fluid individuals, and highly sensitive people. Rainy Day Therapy provides counseling in Federal Way, WA and online therapy in Washington state. Interested in working with Katie? Book a free 15min consult here.

Have questions about counseling in Federal Way? Check out the FAQ page for more info.