10 Essential Questions You Should Ask a Therapist in NYC Before Beginning Therapy

10 Questions to Ask a Therapist in NYC before beginning Therapy

Starting therapy is a significant step toward improving your mental health and well-being, especially if you’re dealing with eating disorders or trauma.

Finding the right therapist in a bustling city like New York can feel overwhelming, but asking the right questions can help you make an informed decision. As a therapist specializing in eating disorders and trauma, I offer virtual therapy to make the process more accessible.

Here’s a guide to the essential questions you should ask a therapist before beginning therapy in NYC.

1. What is Your Experience and Specialization?

One of the most important questions to ask is about the therapist’s experience and specialization. If you’re struggling with eating disorders or trauma, it’s crucial to work with someone who has expertise in these areas.

Sample Question:

• “Do you specialize in treating eating disorders and trauma? Can you share your experience in these areas?”

Asking about the therapist’s background and experience will help you to understand if they are able to help you in the specific areas that you are looking for help with. 

2. What Therapeutic Approaches Do You Use?

Different therapists use different approaches depending on their training and the needs of their clients. For eating disorders and trauma, certain therapies may be more effective.

Sample Question:

• “What therapeutic approaches do you use for treating eating disorders or trauma? How do you decide which approach is best for a client?”

Knowing the types of therapy they offer, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), can help you determine if their methods align with your needs. CBT and DBT are the main approaches I work with to help my clients who struggle with eating disorders. For trauma, I prefer to utilize CPT which is explained more in this post. Most importantly, I believe that the best treatment plan is not determined solely by which treatment methods I use, but on being able to utilize a combination of approaches that is tailored specifically for each individual client.

3. Do You Offer Virtual Therapy?

In a city as busy as NYC, convenience is key and avoiding mass transit, intense summer heat or winter blizzards is ideal. Virtual therapy can be a great option for those with hectic schedules, offering flexibility and accessibility. If you can get privacy on your lunch break, you can fit your session in then without battling a commute. Or maybe you prefer to go right home after work or school, get into comfortable clothes and have a session in the comfort of your own space. 

Sample Question:

• “Do you offer virtual therapy sessions? How do these sessions work, and what should I expect?”

Understanding how virtual sessions are conducted, including the platforms used and the format of the sessions, can help you prepare and decide if this option fits your lifestyle. You want to make sure that your therapist is utilizing a confidential video platform to ensure your privacy and confidentiality. When I prepare my new clients for our first virtual session, I let them know that they’ll need a private space, minimal to no distractions and a good internet connection. If you have all of that, you’re ready for virtual therapy!

4. What Are Your Fees and Do You Accept Insurance?

Therapy is an investment in your well-being, but it’s essential to understand the costs upfront. Since I do not accept insurance and work with clients who are willing to pay privately, it's important to clarify this early on.

Sample Question:

• “What are your fees for therapy sessions? Do you accept insurance, or is it private pay only? If private pay, will you provide me with super-bills (explained more below) so that I can seek reimbursement from my insurance company?”

This question helps you plan financially and ensures there are no surprises later on. Some people prefer to utilize their insurance for in-network providers. The benefit of that is that there generally is a lower out-of-pocket cost. The drawbacks are that you are limited to the providers who work within that network and you have to deal with the hassles of insurance. Others prefer to pay privately which helps them to avoid the insurance hassles as well as enables them to be able to find the best therapist for them, not just one that is available through the limited network. As a therapist who works with private pay only, I do provide “super-bills” which essentially are just fancy receipts that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement if that is available through your policy, which many policies do offer. 

5. What is Your Availability and How Do You Handle Cancellations?

Consistency is vital in therapy, so it’s important to know your therapist’s availability and policies on cancellations or rescheduling.

Sample Question:

• “What is your availability for sessions, and how do you handle cancellations or missed appointments?”

Knowing this information upfront allows you to manage your schedule and understand the commitment required for therapy. Therapy is an investment on many levels including an investment of time. I find that my clients generally benefit from at least one session a week, especially to begin therapy. With that being said, I ask that my clients are able to commit to that and we find a time that both of us are able to commit to weekly. I ask that you prioritize your therapy and commit to this time as I will commit that time to you. Cancellations and rescheduling happen, but if they occur regularly, it can show a lack of commitment to or readiness for therapy.  

6. What Should I Expect During Our Sessions?

Every therapist has a unique style and structure for their sessions. Understanding what to expect can help ease any anxiety about starting therapy.

Sample Question:

• “What should I expect during our sessions? How do you typically structure a therapy session?”

This gives you insight into how the sessions will be conducted, what you might discuss, and how the therapist will support your progress.

7. How Do You Measure Progress?

Tracking progress is essential in therapy, especially when working through complex issues like eating disorders and trauma. Understanding how your therapist measures success can help you stay motivated and engaged.

Sample Question:

• “How do you measure progress in therapy? What indicators do you use to assess improvement?”

This question can help you understand the goals and milestones that your therapist will use to gauge your progress. In the first session I have with my clients, we take time to discuss what goals my client has for therapy. I value my client’s goals for themselves and I believe that therapeutic goal-setting is a team effort between therapist and client. We will define your goals in the first sessions and have them be used as a baselines to help us assess whether therapy is working and what we may have to adjust to help you to get closer to your goals. We want to have a clear idea of what you want your life to look like 3 months, 6 months a year or more down the line, so that we can make sure we are on target with getting you closer to those goals. 

8. Can You Provide References or Testimonials?

Hearing from other clients who have worked with the therapist can provide valuable insight into what you can expect.

Sample Question:

• “Can you provide references or testimonials from clients who have been in therapy with you?”

This is a bit of a tricky one! Many of us go to check the reviews of the products or restaurants we’d like to try before deciding on making the purchase or taking the trip. It would make sense to do the same with a decision as important as who to choose as your therapist. Unfortunately, this is very difficult to provide for many reasons including confidentiality and privacy issues. Another barrier is that it can put a client in an awkward position (one that is not therapeutically necessary) and that is not something that ethically, we should do. Since we can’t ask for reviews, it makes it a bit difficult to get them. While I can’t provide references or testimonials, I value that any new client who wants to work with me feels confident in my ability to help them. This is why a FREE consultation call is so valuable. This is a time that I can share my experience and success I’ve had with my past and present clients without risking confidentiality or putting my clients in an uncomfortable position. 

9. What is Your Approach to Confidentiality?

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy. It’s important to understand how your therapist will protect your privacy.

Sample Question:

• “How do you handle confidentiality in therapy? Are there any exceptions to this?”

This ensures that you feel safe and secure in sharing your thoughts and experiences during sessions. My practice only uses platforms that are compliant with HIPPA so that your sessions and personal information are secure and private. The rare exceptions to confidentiality are identified clearly in our first session and can be discussed in our consultation call if this is a main concern for you.

10. Why Did You Become a Therapist?

Understanding a therapist’s motivation can help you connect with them on a personal level. It also gives you a sense of their passion and commitment to helping others.

Sample Question:

• “What inspired you to become a therapist, and why do you specialize in eating disorders and trauma?”

This question can provide insight into the therapist’s values and dedication, helping you determine if they’re the right fit for you. I think that this is such an awesome question to ask. I want my clients to know not only about my experience and ability to help them, but also about my commitment and passion to help them. Asking this question will help you to determine if the potential therapist you are speaking with connects with you on this level and if they’re a good fit.

Take the First Step to Getting Psychotherapy in NYC

Choosing a therapist in NYC is an important decision, especially when dealing with eating disorders or trauma. Asking these questions can help you find a therapist who is not only qualified but also the right match for your needs. If you’re ready to take the next step, consider scheduling a free consultation to explore how therapy with me can support your journey to healing and wellness.

Click here to submit a contact form in order to set up your free 15-minute phone consultation call with me, an NYC therapist, to see how I can help you recover.

*Disclaimer* - I am not a medical doctor and this post does not constitute as medical advice. This post is derived from my experience working with clients who struggle with Bulimia, research and collaborating with medical professionals.