Questions for a Family Therapist
Prior to making an appointment for the entire family, you can interview a therapist by telephone to make sure she is the right person to meet your family's needs. On the call, provide a brief overview of what is happening inside your family. Ask her if she thinks she is the appropriate professional to treat your family. If she does not seem to understand your family's dynamics, find a new therapist. Not all therapists are good for all situations. Sometimes you have to try several until you find the right therapist for your family.
Typical questions to ask the therapist before engaging their services include:
Have you worked with individuals who have OCD or families where a child has OCD? (If not OCD, families facing another anxiety disorder or mental health issue?)
What is your personal experience working with such families?
How long do you normally take to stabilize a family in crisis?
What fees will we be charged for your services?
What training did you receive to become a therapist?
What psychological orientation do you use in your therapy practice?
As you may know, family therapy includes many different disciplines and approaches. Each therapist is trained in a school that has a theoretical orientation. Some use psychoanalysis, others employ cognitive behavioral therapy, others assume religious principles or teach meditation.
Most therapists use a variety of methods. These therapists will often identify themselves as “eclectic,” meaning they use a little of this and a little of that, and have personalized their approach since receiving initial training.
